No. 22 Iowa leans into defense again, blanks Rutgers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 11th November, 19:12 2023

Nov 11, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) tackles Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. credits: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

No. 22 Iowa got the best of a defensive showdown with a 16-point fourth quarter to beat Rutgers 22-0 in Big Ten Conference play on Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa.

Drew Stevens provided all the offense the Hawkeyes (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) would need with a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 43-yarder in the third, but Iowa wasn't content with a six-point lead.

Jaziun Patterson effectively sealed the victory with a 4-yard touchdown rush with 13:38 left in the game, and Stevens later capped a 12-play, 44-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal to make it 15-0.

When the Scarlet Knights (6-4, 3-4) tried to ignite a rally, Gavin Wimsatt was intercepted by Quinn Schulte and, three plays later, Deacon Hill threw a 10-yard scoring strike to Kaleb Brown to close the scoring.

Hill completed 20 of 31 passes for 223 yards with the TD and an interception, while Patterson totaled 53 yards on 14 carries. Leshon Williams led the rushing attack with 63 yards on 13 touches.

Addison Ostrenga hauled in eight catches for 47 yards for Iowa, which has won 16 of its last 17 November games.

Wimsatt threw for 93 yards and one interception on 7-for-18 passing as Rutgers ended up being outgained 402-127.

Big Ten leading rusher Kyle Monangai was held to 39 yards on 13 carries before exiting the game in the fourth quarter due to an apparent ankle injury.

Iowa seemed poised to score on the game's opening drive when it drove down to the Scarlet Knights 30, but Stevens missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt.

After the next five drives ended with punts, Stevens redeemed himself, making good on his 32-yarder with 2:50 left in the first half to open the scoring.

The Hawkeyes' defense then got Rutgers off the field in just 1:27, and Hill threw for 62 yards to set up Iowa at the Scarlet Knights 12. But Hill was then picked off by Max Melton, preventing the hosts from adding to their 3-0 lead by the break.

Despite a low-scoring first half, the Hawkeyes still managed to rack up 184 yards of total offense, while Rutgers had 107.

—Field Level Media

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