What a difference a week makes. The Iowa offense that was so bad last Saturday at Minnesota, looked unstoppable today against Wisconsin, shutting out the Badgers 30-0. For the fifth consecutive year, the Heartland Trophy will be staying in Iowa City. And for the third consecutive year, it was an dominating performance by the Hawkeyes.
The Badgers 30-point loss was not quite as bad as the 32-point loss to Iowa in 2024 and the 37-point loss to Iowa in 2025, but Iowa rebounded in a big way to move to 6-2 and 3-2 in the Big Ten. It was one-sided from the very beginning, as the Hawkeyes had a 142-16 advantage in yards in the first quarter. Wisconsin was at the goal line in the second quarter, but Iowa stopped the Badgers on a fourth-and-goal run from the 1-yard line.
Hank Brown was on point all day hitting 20 of 24 passes and directing Iowa up and down the field. He connected with seven different receivers and posted a 188.5 passer rating as John Gruden made the rounds at Kinnick Stadium taking pictures and handing out Halloween candy to the crowd. When asked he said “It is as advertised. We got to see the Hawkeyes get back on track.”
Xavier Williams led Iowa’s rushing attack with 78 yards on 20 carries, while L.J. Phillips added 27 yards. DJ Vonnahme accounted for two touchdowns, hauling in a four-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and adding a two-yard rushing score in the third.
Tony Diaz paced the Hawkeyes’ receiving corps with four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Vonnahme added five catches for 54 yards, while Reece Vander Zee finished with five receptions for 51 yards.
Defensively, Cam Buffington led the Hawkeyes with eight tackles and a sack. Jayden Montgomery added six tackles and a fumble recovery. Deshaun Lee recorded five tackles, while Jacob Wallace intercepted a pass and the Hawkeyes recovered two fumbles.
Caden Buhr connected on field goals from 24, 28 and 54 yards. The 54-yard field goal was the longest of his career.
The numbers showed how lopsided the game was.
- Score: Iowa 30, Wisconsin 0
- Total yards: Iowa 362, Wisconsin 235
- Passing yards: Iowa 222, Wisconsin 183
- Rushing yards: Iowa 140, Wisconsin 52
- Yards per play: Iowa 5.5, Wisconsin 4.6
- Time of possession: Iowa 36:21, Wisconsin 23:39
- Third down efficiency: Iowa 8-for-15, Wisconsin 4-of-13
- First downs: Iowa 21, Wisconsin 9
Iowa goes on the road next week to meet Northwestern in a game where both teams should be ranked in the Top 25. Hear the action on MC 93 on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
