Kaleb Johnson rushes 35 times for 164 yards in Iowa’s 29-13 victory over Maryland

By NOAH TRISTER The Associated Press

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) dances while celebrating 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)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Stephanie Scarbrough]

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 35 carries, and Kamari Moulton scored on a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter to help Iowa outlast Maryland 29-13 on Saturday.

Johnson scored from 2 yards out in the second quarter for his 21st rushing touchdown of the season, and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) rebounded from their loss to UCLA in their previous game. Maryland (4-7, 1-7) needed to win its final two regular-season games to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but the Terrapins were dominated in the first half and eventually fell behind 16-0.

Drew Stevens made five field goals for Iowa, including kicks from 54 yards in the second quarter, then 50 and 49 in the third.

Iowa, which does not exactly push the tempo, ran 46 offensive plays in the first half. The Hawkeyes had the ball for over six minutes on each of their first three possessions, which resulted in a fumble, a field goal and then Johnson’s TD.

Maryland replaced quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. with backup MJ Morris after two fruitless possessions, but the Terps still trailed 13-0 at halftime. Edwards went back in and led Maryland all the way to the Iowa 3 in the third quarter, but he was injured in a collision with defensive back Xavier Nwankpa.

Morris came in and capped that drive with an 8-yard scoring pass to Tai Felton that made it 16-6, but a 2-point conversion was unsuccessful. A 12-yard touchdown strike from Morris to Felton made it 19-13 with 11:05 to play, but Iowa answered with Moulton’s big run less than two minutes later.

The takeaway

Iowa: Quarterback Jackson Stratton, a walk-on transfer from Colorado State, wasn’t asked to do much as the Hawkeyes were able to lean on the running game. And credit Iowa’s defense for an excellent first half that helped build a big enough lead.

Maryland: No matter how obvious Iowa’s plan was, the Terps couldn’t do much to stop it. Iowa finished with 268 yards rushing on 58 attempts.

Up next

Iowa: Hosts Nebraska on Friday.

Maryland: At Penn State on Saturday.

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