The slow start that has plagued Iowa’s offense season long was diminished in one minute. Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi connected with wideout Marvin McNutt for a 74-yard touchdown in the first minute of play.

Northwestern’s offense began the first half with quarterback Mike Kafka at the helm. The Chicago native started despite a hamstring injury suffered in the Wildcats’ Penn State game last week. The Wildcat offense was ineffective in protecting their sore leader as Kafka was pounded by defensive lineman Christian Ballard for a loss of eight yards.

Northwestern’s secondary is without cornerback Sherrick McManis, and it showed. Stanzi threw to an open Trey Stross for 30-yard gain, allowing Daniel Murray to kick a 39 field goal. The kick gave Iowa an early ten-point lead over the Wildcats.

On third and three at the Iowa 3, Kafka was again sacked by an Iowa defense trifecta— Mike Daniels, Broderick Binns, Adrian Clayborn —for a loss of eight yards.

With Iowa’s pass game succeeding, Stanzi again found a receiver open in the middle. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos caught a pass from Stanzi for a 16 yards to nab Iowa the first down. However on third and four,  Johnson-Koulianos was just fingertips away from catching an endzone throw.

At the end of the quarter, Iowa holds on their 10-0 lead.

— By Amie Kiehn