IOWA CITY, Iowa (October 26, 2024) – Theran Johnson and Drew Wagner turned in impact performances as Northwestern (3-5, 1-4 B1G) fell on the road at Iowa (5-3, 3-2 B1G), 40-14, this afternoon inside Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Johnson, who closed his afternoon with three tackles, made his presence felt with just under 10 minutes gone in the second quarter. With Iowa staked to a 3-0 lead and facing 3rd and 4 from the Wildcat 20-yard line, Johnson snagged Cade McNamara’s pass and took off down the left sideline, racing 85 yards to give the Wildcats a 7-3 advantage.
On his first career punt return, Wagner more than provided a spark as he raced 72 yards for a touchdown, the first punt return score by a Wildcat since the 2014 season.
Mac Uihlein also provided support on the defensive side of the ball, finishing with a team-best 10 tackles, while Damon Walters added the first two tackles for loss of his collegiate career.
On the offensive side of the ball, Northwestern was led by Cam Porter, who totaled 50 yards on 13 carries. A.J. Henning hauled in two receptions for 22 yards to pace Northwestern through the air.
Game Notes
» Johnson’s 85-yard interception return is the longest by a Wildcat since at least 2000 and marks the first interception return for a touchdown for Northwestern in Big Ten play since a 72-yard pick-six by Nick VanHoose as part of a 30-28 win at Nebraska on October 24, 2015.
» Wagner’s punt return touchdown was Northwestern’s first since a 64-yard scamper by Tony Jones in a 38-14 win over Purdue on November 22, 2014.
» The 72-yard return is also the longest punt return touchdown by a Wildcat since Venric Mark vs. Penn State on October 6, 2012.
» Luke Akers averaged 46.4 yards across his eight punts on the afternoon.
» Kaleb Johnson led the way for Iowa’s attack, finishing with 109 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Up Next
Northwestern wraps up a two-game road swing on Saturday, November 2 when it takes on Purdue in an 11 a.m. (CT) kickoff in West Lafayette, Ind. that will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
