Kaleb Johnson, Kamari Moulton help Iowa run over Maryland

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd November, 15:37 2024

Nov 23, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) rushes as Maryland Terrapins defensive back Dante Trader Jr. (12) defends during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Iowa's Kaleb Johnson gashed Maryland for 164 yards, leading the Hawkeyes to a 29-13 win Saturday afternoon in College Park, Md.

On a windy afternoon, Drew Stevens tied a program record with five field goals and Kamari Moulton scored on a 68-yard sprint as Iowa (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) bounced back from a loss two weeks ago at UCLA.

In his first college start, Jackson Stratton completed 10 of 14 passes for 76 yards as Iowa stuck with its traditional run-heavy attack. Stratton is the third quarterback to start a game this season for the Hawkeyes.

Johnson, who carried a career-high 35 times, scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter, which gave him a program-record 21 touchdown rushes this year. Shonn Greene was the Hawkeyes' previous record-holder with 20 touchdown runs in 2008.

In its final home game this season, Maryland (4-7, 1-7) lost for the sixth time in its last seven games. The defeat ends the Terrapins' streak of three straight seasons reaching a bowl game.

MJ Morris came off the bench to replace injured quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and rallied Maryland with two touchdown passes in the second half.

But after the Terrapins whittled a 16-point deficit to six points, at 19-13, Morris threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Just before the picks, Moulton scored untouched on his 68-yard burst through the middle of the Maryland defense. The run put Iowa up 26-13 with 9:19 left. Moulton finished with 114 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Later in the quarter, Stevens booted a 26-yard field goal to make it 29-13. Stevens' other 3-pointers came from 27, 54, 50 and 49 yards. He is the first Iowa kicker to hit from 50 or more yards twice in a game.

Morris finished 12-of-23 passing for Maryland for 103 yards. Tai Felton, who leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards, had six catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns.

Iowa went up 3-0 on Stevens' field goal with 22 seconds left in the first quarter. After Johnson's touchdown, Stevens added his second field goal to give Iowa a 13-0 lead at the break.

--Field Level Media