Johnson Leads Second-Half Surge as Iowa Beats Minnesota 31-24
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns as Iowa overcame a halftime deficit with 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat Minnesota 31-14 in Minneapolis.
As was the case in Iowa City a year ago, when the Gophers held on for a win in an offense-challenged game, this one started with both teams having trouble moving the ball. Iowa benefited from a short field in the first quarter after Jay Higgins intercepted Max Brosmer’s pass at the Minnesota 38. A Johnson five-yard run and Cade McNamara eight-yard completion to Jacob Gill advanced the ball to the 25, and Johnson then ran left for the end zone, initially being credited with a touchdown. After a review, the officials determined that Johnson had stepped out of bounds at the 1, necessitating one more rush by Johnson, this one for the score that put the Hawkeyes ahead 7-0.
Iowa didn’t score again in the half even though Johnson racked up 88 yards on the ground as McNamara had only 16 total yards passing in the first two quarters. However, Brosmer also struggled early as he was often under pressure. The Gophers’ first five possessions ended in punts in addition to the interception. Finally, the line gave Brosmer time to operate midway through the second quarter, and he responded. Brosmer completed all seven passes he threw, finishing with a three-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Geers to cap a 64-yard drive to tie the game.
Minnesota got the ball back at its 32 with 2:45 left in the half. Darius Taylor carried the ball twice for 19 yards on the drive, but Brosmer took care of the rest in the air, completing four of six passes, the last to Elijah Spencer, who caught the ball at the Iowa 12, a yard behind the line of scrimmage, and hurdled and twisted his way into the end zone, giving Minnesota a 14-7 lead at halftime.
Getting the ball to start the second half, McNamara hooked up with Addison Ostrenga for a 20-yard gain into Minnesota territory, and Johnson took care of the rest, helped by a 15-yard penalty for a late hit by Cody Lindenberg. Iowa faced a third and 10 at the 15 when Johnson ran up the middle for his second touchdown of the game, tying the score.
The Hawkeyes blitzed and resumed pressure on Brosmer, stalling the Minnesota offense and forcing more punts. The Gophers gained only 12 yards on its three possessions in the third quarter, and Brosmer had only six net yards passing.
Iowa, on the other hand, had no trouble gaining ground. A 40-yard touchdown run by Johnson, after he appeared stopped at the line of scrimmage, put the Hawkeyes back out in front. Late in the quarter, Drew Stevens kicked a 46-yard field goal to make the score 24-14.
Down by 10 and facing a third and 10 at its 21, Minnesota didn’t even try for a first down, instead handing off to Taylor, who was stuffed for a one-yard loss as the third quarter ended.
Getting the ball back at its own 48 after an 11-yard return by Kaden Wetjen of Mark Crawford’s 43-yard punt, Iowa went back to Johnson, who started the drive with a 33-yard run to the 19. At that point, the Hawkeyes depended on Jaziun Patterson and Wetjen for the running along with Brendan Sullivan, who entered at quarterback and ran the ball twice, including a one-yard sneak on third down for a touchdown to put Iowa ahead 31-14.
Iowa finished with 272 yards rushing to 79 for Minnesota, offsetting the passing advantage of the Gophers. Brosmer completed 22 of 27 for 209 yards with two interceptions. Daniel Jackson was the leading receiver with nine catches for 112 yards. McNamara was 11 for 19 for 62 yards.
Both teams came into the game with 2-1 records in nonconference play. Minnesota will hit the road for the first time next Saturday with a game against Michigan and return home for another tough game, against the Southern California.