Kamari Moulton ran for 183 yards and Iowa did not need much else
A comfortable Iowa win. The film says it was less about fireworks than you'd think.
Northern Illinois went three-and-out on 73% of its drives. That is the game. Iowa dismantles Northern Illinois, 40-0 at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa led from start to finish and never let Northern Illinois within striking distance. Kamari Moulton ran 11 times for 183 yards and two scores.
The big plays only went one way
Iowa produced 13 plays of 15+ yards to Northern Illinois's 5: Kamari Moulton (involved in 4), Hank Brown (involved in 4) and Jeremy Hecklinski (involved in 3). Iowa scored on 46% of its drives to Northern Illinois's 7%, led by Kamari Moulton (12 pts), Hank Brown (6 pts) and Jeremy Hecklinski (6 pts). Stacked together, it was never close.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The difference-makers
Kamari Moulton ran 11 times for 183 yards and two scores — a hand in four plays of 15 yards or more. Hank Brown threw for 129 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown and ran two times for 12 yards — that score from inside the 20, four third-down conversions and a hand in four plays of 15 yards or more. Jeremy Hecklinski threw for 76 yards on 16 attempts with one touchdown and ran one times for 16 yards — that score from inside the 20 and a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. For Northern Illinois, Kelan McInerney caught three passes for 55 yards, with two third-down conversions and a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. La'Don Bryant caught four passes for 42 yards. Jalen Macon threw for 17 yards on 10 attempts. Deshaun Lee was the disruptive one for Iowa: 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 tackle.
What Northern Illinois has to fix
The problems had names: Taron Dickens (1 interception).
The disruptive ones
Two names to keep, all for Iowa: Deshaun Lee (1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 tackle) and Joseph Anderson (1.5 sacks, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 tackles). 6 of Iowa's 9 sacks came from the defensive line, which is how this defense has generated pressure since 2016.
How we got here
Iowa struck first through Hank Brown, led 33-0 at the half and Iowa got the final points on a late touchdown by Evan James.
How it graded
The closing line had Iowa -31.5. Iowa covered. The total was 44.5; the teams combined for 40, an under. Kamari Moulton accounted for 12 of Iowa's points.
Where it leaves them
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
Iowa cleared the bar with room to spare; Northern Illinois goes back to the drawing board.
Discussion
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