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Letter To The Year 2024

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Iowa rushed the ball 58 times for 268 yards to secure a 26-13 road win over Maryland in fourth-string quarterback Jackson Stratton’s first career start on Saturday. The commitment to the ground game allowed the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) to win the time of possession battle 37:41-22:19. Iowa also limited the Terrapins, the Big Ten's No. 2 passing offense entering Saturday, to a season-low 129 passing yards. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) celebrates his touchdown during Saturday's game against Maryland in College Park, Md. Stephanie Scarbrough Head coach Kirk Ferentz told the Hawkeye Radio Network the win was a real team effort during a postgame interview. “The defense did a great job, played smart, played competitively,” Ferentz said. “That was a team effort, good pass rush, trying to disrupt the thrower, and being opportunistic in the back end. “The other component was, especially in the first half, being able to keep the ball in our hands ... that minimized the wind and ... I know this, they cannot score if they are over on their sideline.” Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Stephanie Scarbrough Running back Kaleb Johnson, who rushed for 164 yards on 35 attempts, surpassed Shonn Greene for sole possession of the Hawkeyes' single season rushing touchdown record with his 21st of the season in the second quarter. “Not only did I break the record, but I played another game with my boys,” Johnson told Big Ten Network. “We got one more game. My focus is on Nebraska ... . I always want to chase greatness. I am not satisfied just because I had a little record. I just want to keep going.” Stratton finished 10-of-14 for 76 yards and a 117 passing efficiency rating in the win. “He really, I thought, played with great poise,” Ferentz said. “Also, awareness, for a guy who has never started a game ... it did not seem to affect him at all. He really did a good job of preparing himself and did a really nice job of inserting himself. I thought he really played a good game.” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Stephanie Scarbrough Iowa set the tone early and often in the first half against the Terrapins (4-6, 1-7 Big Ten) with three straight drives of 12 or more plays, which each lasted longer than six minutes. On its opening drive, the Hawkeyes marched 57 yards in 12 plays to the Maryland 23-yard line before a botched exchange between Stratton and running back Kamari Moulton gave the ball to the Terps. After Iowa’s defense forced a punt on the ensuing Maryland drive, Stratton led Iowa 59 yards back down the field over the course of 13 plays before Drew Stevens put Iowa in front 3-0 with a 27-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter. A three-and-out on Maryland’s second drive set up Iowa’s third long, sustained drive of the game. Stratton piloted the offense 77 yards in 14 plays on a drive that lasted 7:26 and ended with a two-yard touchdown run from Johnson. Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) is sacked during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Stephanie Scarbrough Stevens added a 54-yard field goal with a minute remaining in the first half to send Iowa to the break with a 13-0 lead. Stevens made it 16-0 with a 50-yard field goal to cap the Hawkeyes first drive of the second half. Trailing by two scores, the Terps managed to find the end zone for the first time with an 11-play, 70-yard drive capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback MJ Morris to Tai Felton. Maryland attempted a two-point conversion but failed allowing Iowa to remain in front by two scores, 16-6. After trading punts, Iowa answered with Stevens’ fourth field goal of the game, a 49-yard boot, to push the lead to 19-6 at the end of the third quarter. Maryland found the end zone once more on a 12-yard connection between Morris and Felton with 11:05 to play in regulation, trimming the lead to 19-13. A 68-yard rushing touchdown from Moulton on the subsequent Hawkeye drive, back-to-back Morris interceptions and a 26-yard field goal from Stevens allowed Iowa to swell its final advantage to 29-13. Stevens finished with a school-record 5-of-5 on his field goal attempts. Iowa will wrap up the regular season against Nebraska on Black Friday at 6:30 p.m. with broadcast coverage provided by NBC. “They are a tough, competitive football team,” Ferentz said. “So, nothing easy, there is nothing east. Nothing is easier today, but that is how college football is supposed to be.” According to Ferentz, he expects Stratton to start against Nebraska. 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