Cade McNamara threw three touchdown passes in a 34-point second half and No. 25 Iowa overcame a slow start to post a 40-0 victory over Illinois State in the season opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Iowa City, Iowa.
Reece Vander Zee caught two scoring passes in his college debut and Jacob Gill had a touchdown reception for the Hawkeyes. Kaleb Johnson rushed for 119 yards on 11 carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run.
McNamara completed 13 of 14 passes for 177 yards and the three scores in the second half. Overall, he was 21-of-31 passing for 251 yards in his first appearance since tearing the ACL in his left knee against Michigan State on Sept. 30, 2023.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz missed the game as he served a one-game suspension for an NCAA violation. The Hawkeyes were penalized for contacting McNamara prior to the quarterback entering the transfer portal. McNamara played at Michigan from 2020-22.
Assistant head coach Seth Wallace served as Iowa’s interim coach.
The game marked the first occasion that somebody other than College Football Hall of Famer Hayden Fry or Ferentz coached the Hawkeyes since Nov. 25, 1978 at Michigan State.
Tommy Rittenhouse completed 10 of 20 passes for 119 yards and one interception for FCS program Illinois State. The Redbirds were outgained 492 total yards to 189.
Aaron Graves recorded three sacks for the Hawkeyes, who had four total sacks and forced three turnovers.
Iowa managed just two field goals from Drew Stevens (41 and 28 yards) as it led 6-0 at halftime.
The second half was a different story. McNamara guided the Hawkeyes on a seven-play, 75-yard drive to start the third quarter. The drive was capped by McNamara’s 7-yard toss to Vander Zee. A two-point conversion pass failed.
Iowa increased the lead to 19-0 when McNamara tossed a 31-yard scoring pass to Gill with 7:46 left in the period.
Vander Zee caught a 19-yard touchdown from McNamara on the first play of the fourth quarter. Johnson scored the next two touchdowns, the first being a 64-yard burst up the middle with 11:09 left in the game. Johnson tacked on an 18-yard TD run with 5:48 to play.
