We’ve made it to another Iowa football season, one that won’t lack intrigue or drama as the Hawkeyes embark on another journey.
Action kicked off at 11 a.m. against Utah State inside Kinnick Stadium, where Register reporters Chad Leistikow, Tyler Tachman and Dargan Southard brought you analysis and updates throughout the day.
Here’s a recap of everything that happened in the opening game of the season for the Hawkeyes.
More:Leistikow’s 4 thoughts off Iowa’s 24-14 win over Utah State: Portal payoff in opener
FINAL: Iowa 24, Utah State 14.
Not the prettiest Hawkeyes win, but one that never had any serious upset vibes. On to Cy-Hawk.
1:36/4Q: Iowa 24, Utah State 14
The Hawkeyes’ defensive streak of nearly nine straight quarters without yielding a touchdown ends in garbage time here. Terrell Vaughn hauls in a 16-yard TD. Aggies also get the two.
More:Iowa football beats Utah State 24-14, Cade McNamara throws 2 TDs to open 2023 season
3:37/4Q: Iowa defense picks up one final stop
Utah State got all the way deep into Hawkeyes territory before stiffening up for force a turnover on downs.
8:37/4Q: Deacon Hill now in the game.
Likely just getting Cade McNamara out of there with the score no longer in doubt. McNamara finishes his Iowa debut 17-for-30 for 191 yards and two touchdowns.
10:17/4Q: Iowa 24, Utah State 6
Hawkeyes ride the momentum of the overturn and find the end zone on Kaleb Johnson’s 3-yard TD run. 11 plays, 68 yards 4:43 on the scoring drive.
11:58/4Q: Two big catches from Luke Lachey have Iowa on the move
A back-pedaling 31-yard grab got Iowa into Utah State territory, then a 15-yard catch on third-and-11 goes Iowa’s way on replay. Hawkeyes trying to put the clinching score away.
END 3Q: Iowa 17, Utah State 6
Hawkeyes with a big third-and-short stop right before the quarter ends. Xavier Nwankpa, though, wasn’t on the field for that drive. Cade McNamara still under center as Iowa tries to find some offensive life.
2:26/3Q: Safe to say Iowa’s early offensive energy has vanished.
The Hawkeyes covered 114 yards on their first two drives, both touchdowns. Their six drives since then? 139 total yards.
4:50/3Q: Hey, there’s some passing life.
A 29-yard pass to Nico Ragaini gets Iowa back into Utah State territory.
6:40/3Q: Xavier Nwankpa limps off
Getting looked at on the bench as Koen Entringer checks in briefly. Utah State punting.
10:11/3Q: Five straight drives now without an Iowa touchdown.
Turnover on downs, punt, punt, field goal, punt. Rhythm with Cade McNamara and company hasn’t bee there of late.
12:02/3Q: Iowa 17, Utah State 6.
Iowa defense tightens up after the big pass play. Aggies settle for a 45-yard field goal from Elliott Nimrod. 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:58.
14:08/3Q: Huge pass play from Utah State
A rare breakdown from Iowa’s secondary, which gives up a 39-yard grab. First significant gain for the Aggies.
HALF: Iowa 17, Utah State 3.
Nice half from Iowa all things considered.
0:07/2Q: Iowa 17, Utah State 3.
A leverage penalty on Utah State gave the Hawkeyes a first down after Drew Stevens’ first FG attempt, but Iowa can’t cash that in for anything else but another 3. A 3rd-and-goal pass to Leshon Williams is just wide. 20-yard kick is good.
3:54/2Q: The X man is here.
Xavier Nwankpa with his first home interception, a diving grab to set Iowa up near midfield. First splash play from the Hawkeyes defense.
7:00/2Q: Iowa’s defense showing up early
Four drives, three punts, 83 yards allowed.
9:12/2Q: A three-and-out for Iowa, but a legit cheer for Tory Taylor first punt of the day.
Taylor’s punt is actually blocked but it takes a great Iowa roll. Aggies will set up shop at their own 33-yard line.
11:03/2Q: Iowa 14, Utah State 3.
There will be no shutout in Kinnick today. Utah State cashes in a 16-play drive for a 32-yard field goal.
13:00/2Q: Utah State finally stringing a drive together.
Aggies into the red zone, although Deontae Craig just came up with a huge sack. It’s third-and-long.
END 1Q: Iowa 14, Utah State 0
Deshaun Lee just grabbed an INT on a free play for Utah State, but the offsides will obviously negate it. Hawkeyes controlled the first 15 minutes with ease.
2:00/1Q: First sputter for Iowa’s offense
An 8-play, 42-yard drive stalls as Iowa turns it over on downs in plus territory. The Hawkeyes defense will gladly pick up the baton from here.
3:55/1Q: Some early OL rotating
11:32 a.m. — Catch up on some tailgating photos.
7:44/1Q: Iowa 14, Utah State 0
A sign of change? Iowa goes for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, and the gamble pays off with a nice TD pass from Cade McNamara to Erik All. Nice play by All to haul in the grab at a tough angle.
McNamara is 4-for-7 for 64 yards and two scores.
11:23 a.m. — Iowa on the move again
An 18-yard screen to Jaziun Patterson converts a third-and-15. Now a big run from Kaleb Johnson aided by a rare illegal block on the defense. Hawkeyes six yards away from another score.
14:18/1Q: Iowa 7, Utah State 0.
An all-portal hookup as Cade McNamara finds Seth Anderson wiiiiide open for a 36-yard TD. Great protection, great throw. Play stands on review.
Incredible stat to start this…that was Iowa’s first TD on a season-opening drive since 1991.
11:05 a.m. — Kaleb Johnson scampers down the sideline, and we’re off.
54-yard return with special teams coach LeVar Woods matching him step for step. The Cade McNamara era begins in plus territory.
10:31 a.m. — Looking like Deshaun Lee will get the start for Jermari Harris
Lee is running with the 1s right now. Just announced as the starter on the jumbotron. He had a couple interceptions at the Kids’ Day scrimmage.
10:25 a.m. — Catch up on all of Hawk Central’s Iowa football coverage from the week
9:45 a.m. — Cade McNamara looks decent warming up
9 a.m. — Iowa football’s first inactive list is out
By week’s end, the feeling was Iowa’s first Big Ten-mandated inactive list wouldn’t include Cade McNamara (quad). He is listed as questionable but is expected to start. There are still some noteworthy items here.
Defensive lineman Chris Reames and cornerback Jermari Harris are both inactive. As Chad has reported to his text-message group (free for subscribers), both are facing sports-gambling suspensions. There were two players facing “multi-game suspensions” aside from out-for-the-season defensive tackle Noah Shannon, according to head coach Kirk Ferentz, and those are the two. Harris is a starter, Reames is a non-contributor. Harris should be back Week 3 vs. Western Michigan, Chad is reporting.
In Harris’ place, it’ll be either sophomore TJ Hall or redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee who is likely to get the call at cornerback opposite Cooper DeJean. Deavin Hilson could also be in the mix as well.
Full inactive list
OUT: Jermari Harris, Noah Shannon, Chris Reames, Jacob Bostick, Reese Osgood, Beau Stephens, Jamison Heinz.
QUESTIONABLE: Cade McNamara, Jayden Montgomery.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
