Iowa improved to 4-2 (2-1 Big Ten) with a 37-0 romp over the Wisconsin Badgers (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) from Camp Randall Stadium.
In the process, the Hawkeyes might have delivered Wisconsin head football coach Luke Fickell his walking papers. Iowa has now won four straight in the series for the first time since 2002-05 and the Hawkeyes have outscored Wisconsin, 79-10, over the past two seasons.
Iowa outgained Wisconsin, 319-to-209, including a 210-to-127 rushing yards advantage. The Hawkeyes scored 17 points off three Badger turnovers to set the tone for the night.
Here’s a look at the night’s full recap:
Iowa football completes shutout victory over Wisconsin
With its 37-0 victory at Wisconsin, Iowa handed the Badgers their first home shutout loss since Nov. 8, 1980. It was Michigan that shutout Wisconsin on that day, 24-0. It was the first time that the Hawkeyes shutout Wisconsin in Madison since 1929.
It’s Iowa’s first shutout win over Wisconsin since 1996 when the Hawkeyes blanked the Badgers 31-0 from Kinnick Stadium.
Jeremy Hecklinski enters for Iowa late in the fourth quarter
With Iowa in complete command, the Hawkeyes are getting redshirt freshman Jeremy Hecklinski some work under center.
7:24, 4th Qtr: Iowa 37, Wisconsin 0. Xavier Williams with a 19-yard rushing touchdown
Xavier Williams has his second rushing touchdown of the evening, rushing in for a 19-yard rushing touchdown to balloon Iowa’s lead to 37-0. It caps a 10-play, 46-yard touchdown drive.
Wisconsin turns it over on downs again
The Badgers go on a 10-play, 31-yard drive, but it ends with Simmons misfiring on a 4th-and-2 throw to Grant Stec. Iowa takes over at their own 45-yard-line.
Iowa 30, Wisconsin 0: Xavier Williams races into the end zone
Iowa appears destined for another Heartland Trophy blowout victory over the Badgers. After a 3-and-out defensively, the Hawkeyes go on a rapid five-play, 59-yard touchdown drive that’s capped by Xavier Williams’ 29-yard touchdown run.
Iowa’s defense forces a 3-and-out to start the second half
Wisconsin had the football first to start the second half. Iowa’s defense quickly gets the football right back to the black and gold. The Hawkeyes force an immediate 3-and-out.
Iowa 23, Wisconsin 0. First-half statistical breakdown
Iowa is outgaining Wisconsin in total yards, 192-117 at halftime. The Hawkeyes have forced three Badger turnovers on a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery on an errant backwards pass. Iowa has converted those three takeaways into 17 points.
Iowa has rushed for 113 yards as compared to Wisconsin’s 57 rushing yards. The Hawkeyes are a perfect 4-for-4 on red zone trips with a pair of rushing touchdowns. Kamari Moulton has a 6-yard rushing score and Mark Gronowski a 1-yard quarterback sneak for six.
Both teams are 2-for-6 on third-down conversion tries.
HALFTIME: Iowa 23, Wisconsin 0. Drew Stevens adds a 49-yard field goal as the first half closes
Iowa orchestrates a two-minute drill to tack on three more. The Hawkeyes with a nine-play, 63-yard drive to set Drew Stevens up with a 49-yard field goal try to close the first half. Stevens boots it through the uprights and the Hawkeyes continue to pour it on in Madison. The boo birds are out at Wisconsin.
5:57 2nd Qtr: Iowa regains possession after Wisconsin turns the football over on downs
After a pair of chunk runs from Dilin Jones to start its drive, Wisconsin turns the football over on downs. Simmons’ 4th-and-1 pass was dropped by Lance Mason.
Iowa still in complete control, leading, 20-0.
8:44, 2nd Qtr: Iowa 20, Wisconsin 0. Zach Lutmer pounces on the backwards pass, Hawkeyes tack on a 25-yard field goal
Iowa has its third takeaway of the night already. This time, it’s defensive back Zach Lutmer that pounces on an errant backwards pass by Wisconsin.
Set up at the Wisconsin 28-yard-line, Iowa winds up tacking on a 25-yard Drew Stevens field goal.
END 1st Qtr: Mark Gronowski throws an interception
In really the first major positive of the night for Wisconsin, the Badgers end the first quarter by intercepting Mark Gronowski on a pass intended for Seth Anderson. Ricardo Hallman with the pick.
Wisconsin takes over at their own 37-yard-line to begin the second quarter.
Iowa 17, Wisconsin 0: BIG-MAN pick! Aaron Graves intercepts Simmons, Iowa punches in again
Simmons drops back and tosses it right to Iowa defensive tackle Aaron Graves. Graves rumbles down to the Wisconsin 1-yard-line.
From there, Gronowski punches it in with a 1-yard touchdown on the quarterback sneak.
Iowa 10, Wisconsin 0: Kamari Moulton finds pay dirt after Bryce Hawthorne intercepts Hunter Simmons
Iowa defensive lineman Bryce Hawthorne picks off a Hunter Simmons pass and sets the Hawkeyes up at the Wisconsin 24-yard-line.
Then, after a 14-yard connection with Sam Phillips, Iowa running back Kamari Moulton races in untouched for a 6-yard Iowa rushing touchdown.
4:33, 1st Qtr: Iowa 3, Wisconsin 0. Drew Stevens gets Hawkeyes on the board
Iowa cashes in on an 11-play, 66-yard drive. Highlighted by a 24-yard run by freshman running back Nathan McNeil, Iowa drives down to the Wisconsin 14-yard-line and boots through a 32-yard Drew Stevens field goal to open the scoring.
Iowa, Wisconsin trade punts to start
After surrendering an initial first down, Iowa’s defense stiffens and gets the football back.
Wisconsin fumbles the football away, but review keeps it with the Badgers
Wisconsin appeared to have coughed the football up and Iowa pounced on the football. But, after review, the call on the field is overturned and the Badgers retain possession.
Iowa football opens with the football, goes 3-and-out
The Hawkeyes get the football first and promptly go 3-and-out.
Iowa football releases its availability report
Iowa revealed great news with its starting quarterback ahead of kickoff as Gronowski wasn’t listed on the pregame availability report.
In Wisconsin’s availability report, the Badgers showed that they will be without starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.
Where to watch Iowa football vs. Wisconsin
Iowa fans can tune in and watch the Hawkeyes square off against Wisconsin from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., with the game airing on FS1. Eric Collins has the play-by-play call alongside color analyst Spencer Tillman.
Watch Iowa vs. Wisconsin
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football vs. Wisconsin final score, recap: Hawkeyes blank Badgers
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
