Iowa’s Defense and Jackson’s Return Lift Hawkeyes Past Northwestern

No. 21 Iowa used a strong defensive performance and a 96-yard kickoff return by Braeden Jackson to defeat Northwestern 24-10 in Evanston on November 7. The loss was Northwestern’s first at its new Ryan Field and its second in a row after opening the season 6-1. Iowa has beaten the Wildcats five straight times.

Hank Brown ran for a 21-yard touchdown on Iowa’s opening drive, then threw a 24-yard scoring pass to Tony Diaz early in the second quarter. That capped a 97-yard possession. Brown finished 16 of 21 for 126 yards, with one interception, and had another rushing touchdown.

L.J. Phillips led Iowa with 128 yards on 21 carries. The Hawkeyes’ defense recorded six sacks and limited Northwestern to 2.8 yards per carry. The Wildcats converted just one of 11 third downs and one of four fourth downs. Nicco Marchiol, starting in place of the injured Aidan Chiles, threw for 181 yards and a touchdown and ran for 52.

After Northwestern’s Jackson Kleather kicked a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter, Jackson returned the kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Iowa’s Caden Buhr later added a 52-yard field goal. Northwestern scored its only touchdown on a two-yard pass from Marchiol to Joseph Hilmon II with 1:51 remaining.

Iowa is set to host Purdue next, while Northwestern will visit No. 11 Ohio State. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes planned to honor former player Jack Campbell, a Detroit Lions linebacker recovering from a spinal injury, by presenting him with a game ball.