Postgame analysis on The Final Score

A “here we go again” first half turned into a second half full of promising signs for the Iowa offense. We break down the Hawkeyes’ 40-0, season-opening win over Illinois State on The Final Score podcast.

Postgame coverage

Game story: Iowa's offense comes to life in the 2nd half

Game Report: Numbers and notes to know from the Hawkeyes' win

Hlas column: Cade McNamara is healthy, happy, and helping the Hawkeyes hang a 40

Feature: True freshman Reece Vander Zee shows potential to be a ‘special player’

Watch Iowa QB Cade McNamara explain the offense's 2nd-half turnaround

Joyful Kaleb Johnson discusses the Iowa offense's emergence

Watch Jermari Harris talk about Iowa's shutout win

FINAL: Iowa 40, Illinois State 0

IOWA CITY — As Tim Lester walked across the Kinnick Stadium west sideline with more than an hour to go until Saturday’s Iowa football season opener, the new offensive coordinator was greeted by a small-yet-mighty group of enthusiastic students in the first few rows.

If the Iowa offense keeps playing like how it did in the second half of Saturday’s season opener against Illinois State, the Lester fan section will quickly grow.

After an iffy first half, Iowa’s offense came to life en route to the Hawkeyes’ 40-0 win over Illinois State.

Saturday’s victory marked the most points scored for the Hawkeye offense since last year’s 41-10 win over Western Michigan.

True freshman wide receiver Reece Vander Zee was at the heart of the second-half emergence. Vander Zee, the first Hawkeye true freshman to start since 2022, had two touchdown receptions in the second half.

The first one was a 7-yard touchdown on first-and-goal to expand Iowa’s lead to two possessions. Then later in the half, McNamara threw up a prayer as he faced pressure, and Vander Zee answered with a reception for a 19-yard touchdown.

McNamara, after going 8-of-17 in the first half, was a much better 13-of-14 in the second half. He completed his first eight passes of the third quarter, which included the first touchdown pass to Vander Zee.

Tight end Luke Lachey — who, like McNamara, was playing for the first time since his season-ending injury last year — had an impressive six receptions on eight targets for 63 yards. Much of that yardage came after the catch.

Iowa’s rushing attack also experienced a second-half rejuvenation, as evident by Kaleb Johnson’s two touchdown runs in the second half.

His first one was for 64 yards, with no Illinois State defenders coming anywhere close to tackling him. The second one — an 18-yarder — happened late in the fourth quarter.

Johnson finished with 119 yards on 11 carries, which translates to 10.8 yards per carry.

The offense’s second-half success was a sharp contrast from the first half, when Iowa had four punts and one failed fourth-down conversion on seven drives.

The defense, as usual, had a key role in the win.

Phil Parker’s unit held Illinois State to 3 yards per play. The Redbirds’ quarterback duo of Tommy Rittenhouse and Jake Rubley combined to go 12-of-27 for 126 yards.

The Hawkeyes also forced three turnovers, including two in the first half — a Jermari Harris interception and a T.J. Hall fumble recovery. The latter set up Drew Stevens’ 41-yard field goal in the first quarter. Caden Crawford recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter.

Stevens also had a 28-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half. His 2-for-2 day marked his first two field goal attempts since last year’s Nebraska game.

Iowa’s competition is about to get much more difficult than FCS-level Illinois State, though, as Iowa State visits Kinnick Stadium next week.

Iowa 40, Illinois State 0 (1:55 4th)

Iowa forces its third turnover of the game with Illinois State third-string QB Beckham Pellant fumbling and Caden Crawford recovering at the ISU 40.

Touchdown Iowa

Iowa 40, Illinois State 0 (5:48 4th)

Kaleb Johnson scores his second doutchdown of the game, this time bouncing to the outside for an 18-yard run.

It was a 5-play, 34-yard drive for the Hawkeyes that included a third-and-3 conversion on a Cade McNamara pass to Reece Vander Zee.

Iowa 33, Illinois State 0 (8:59 4th)

Brian Allen came up with Iowa's fourth sack of the day on third down, then Illinois State punter Hayden Futch took off after realizing his punt was probably about to be blocked. That didn't work out either. It's Iowa ball at the ISU 34.

Touchdown Iowa

Iowa 33, Illinois State 0 (11:09 4th)

It's the running game's time to shine.

Kaleb Johnson broke free on a pitch for a 64-yard touchdown run up the middle.

TAKE OFF! 💨 ANOTHER TD FOR IOWA!! @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/9EwO1HPwYF

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

Stat of the day from BTN

Iowa wide receiver touchdown catches ...

Second half today: 3

2023 season: 3

2022 season: 2

Touchdown Iowa

Iowa 26, Illinois State 0 (14:54 4th)

Another play of the game candidate: Cade McNamara tosses a pass to the goal line while falling backward and true freshman Reece Vander Zee outjumps everyone for his second career TD catch in his first career game.

WHAT A THROW!!!! 25 POINTS FOR IOWA!! 🔥 @Cademac_12 with 3 TD passes on the day! pic.twitter.com/nAyyCiySao

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

End 3rd: Iowa 19, Illinois State 0

Play of the game candidate: Cade McNamara escaped two tacklers in the backfield and delivered a running pass down field to Zach Ortwerth for a 31-yard gain on the last play of the third quarter.

The Hawkeyes will start the fourth at the ISU 19 with a chance to put this one away.

Iowa 19, Illinois State 0 (1:33 3rd)

Iowa forces a turnover on downs with an incomplete pass on fourth-and-4 from the Iowa 38.

An impressive catch by Xavier Loyd, jumping over John Nestor for a 37-yard gain on a pass from Tommy Rittenhouse got the Redbirds across midfield.

Iowa 19, Illinois State 0 (2:41 3rd)

One first down for Iowa on this drive but Cade McNamara's third-and-2 pass went through Jarriett Buie's hands. That was the Hawkeyes' first incompletion of the half.

Illinois State ball at its 19.

Iowa 19, Illinois State 0 (5:26 3rd)

Illinois State picked up a first down, but then the Iowa defense took over. Yahya Black was unblocked and delivered a 4-yard loss, Jay Higgins broke up a pass at the line of scrimmage and Brian Allen Jr. brought down a scrambling Jake Rubley for a short gain on third-and-14.

Rubley was hurt on the play.

Iowa takes over at its 16 after the ISU punt.

Touchdown Iowa

Iowa 19, Illinois State 0 (7:46 3rd)

Play action and Cade McNamara finds Jacob Gill in the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Gill and Reece Vander Zee both score their first TDs as Hawkeyes here in the third quarter.

That was a 5-play, 66-yard drive for Iowa. 

McNamara is now 15-for-24 for 174 yards.

CADE SLUNG THAT! ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN FOR IOWA! 🔥 @Cademac_12 🚀 to Jacob Gill pic.twitter.com/3l1PX4ajO0

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

Iowa 19, Illinois State 0 (7:46 3rd)

31-yard touchdown pass from Cade McNamara to Jacob Gill. Good throw, good route running and now a very comfortable lead for the Hawkeyes.

And the legend of Reece Vander Zee begins with a 7-yard touchdown catch on Iowa's first possession of the second half. He's a true freshman from Rock Rapids, as far as you can get from Iowa City and still be in Iowa.

Touchdown Iowa

Iowa 12, Illinois State 0 (11:32 3rd)

Iowa opens the second half with a 7-play, 75-yard TD drive. Cade McNamara connected with true freshman Reece Vander Zee for the 7-yard TD reception.

Iowa goes for two and does not succeed.

TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN IOWA!! THE FIRST TD OF THE SEASON FOR THE HAWKEYES! 🔥🤩 @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/P4YoCqNYXW

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

A few quick thoughts from the first half...

Things that impressed me: Iowa's defensive line, Cade McNamara's mobility, Kaden Wetjen's return ability

Things that were underwhelming: Rest of the offense

HALF: Iowa 6, Illinois State 0

Iowa's defense forces two turnovers (and was very close to a third). Cade McNamara went 8-for-17 in his first half since last year's knee injury.

Field goal Iowa

Iowa 6, Illinois State 0 (1:00 2nd)

Drew Stevens' 28-yard attempt is good. Best drive of the day for Iowa's offense (although that's not saying a lot). 10 plays, 49 yards.

It's good! 🙌 @HawkeyeFootball leads 6-0 with a minute left in the first half pic.twitter.com/mIch3swPt0

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (3:48 2nd)

Looked like Iowa's defense was going to have another turnover. It gets negated by defensive holding on Jay Higgins. The drive ends in an ISU punt. Iowa takes over at its own 41.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (6:32 2nd)

Six-play, 17-yard drive for Iowa's offense. Rhys Dakin with a 44-yard punt. ISU's Jalen Carr muffs it, but (somehow) recovers it. ISU starts its next drive at its own 14.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (10:09 2nd)

Very short four-play, eight-yard drive for Illinois State. Iowa will take over at its own 24 after the punt and Wetjen return.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (11:59 2nd)

Iowa fails to convert on fourth-and-2 from the Illinois State 42. Kamari Moulton gets stopped at the 41. Illinois State takes over after the seven-play, 30-yard drive.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (End of 1st)

That was a very Iowa-esque first quarter. 2.1 yards per play for the Hawkeyes, but the defense has been fantastic. Two first-quarter turnovers, including one that set up Drew Stevens' 41-yard FG.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (0:22 1st)

Another Illinois State three-and-out, and Iowa will take over at its own 29.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (2:17 1st)

Another three-and-out for the Iowa offense. McNamara is 3-of-8 for 17 yards so far.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (5:06 1st)

Another Illinois State three-and-out. Kaden Wetjen's punt return for a TD gets negated by an illegal block in the back on Deshaun Lee. Iowa instead starts its next drive at its own 38.

Field goal Iowa

Drew Stevens' 41-yard attempt is good after the drive set up by the Iowa fumble recovery.

Iowa 3, Illinois State 0 (5:35 1st)

And @HawkeyeFootball is on the board 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LNxW896hmI

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

Iowa 0, Illinois State 0 (7:06 1st)

ANOTHER Iowa turnover forced. Fumble forced by Sebastian Castro, recovered by TJ Hall. Iowa takes over at the ISU 29.

We'll say it again: Sebastian Castro is such a playmaker 🤩#B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/9pgxxzT7DH

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 31, 2024

Iowa 0, Illinois State 0 (8:09 1st)

Iowa can't take advantage of the Jermari Harris interception. Has to punt. Dakin's punt goes 38 yards. Subtract 5 yards for a penalty on John Nestor. Illinois State will start on its own 17.

Iowa 0, Illinois State 0 (9:47 1st)

Jermari Harris intercepts Illinois State's Tommy Rittenhouse, and Iowa will start its next drive at its own 45.

Forcing more turnovers was an emphasis in fall camp.

INTERCEPTED!! @HawkeyeFootball doing what they do best on defense 😎 @_jmar27 picks it! pic.twitter.com/c7SabyZRJV

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024

Illinois State running back Mason King is down with an injury. Would be a major loss for this ISU offense.

Iowa 0, Illinois State 0 (12:45 1st)

Iowa goes three-and-out, and Rhys Dakin's first punt is a 35-yarder to the Illinois State 26.

"I cannot imagine there being another punter in college football as eagerly anticipated as this."

New @HawkeyeFootball punter Rhys Dakin just had his first opportunity.#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/6W08Kqshqi

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 31, 2024

Iowa 0, Illinois State 0 (14:11 1st)

Was interesting to see Brian Allen come in on third down at defensive tackle. Illinois State goes three-and-out, and Iowa starts its first drive at its own 35.

As expected, T.J. Hall gets the start at cornerback.

Iowa wins the toss and defers. Illinois State receives to start the 2024 season.

Today's result will be reflected on Kirk Ferentz's overall coaching record because the suspension is self-imposed.

No surprises with the first-team offensive line in warmups: Richman, Stephens, Logan Jones, Colby and Dunker.

Second team: Dotzler, Leighton Jones, Pieper, Elsbury and DeJong.

NFL scouts are expected from Green Bay, LA Chargers, Baltimore and Washington.

Pregame warmups

Seems like this team is healthier going into Week 1 than it has been in recent years.

Pregame warmups. Seems like this team is healthier going into Week 1 than it has been in recent years. pic.twitter.com/NGxRHdcyLq

— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) August 31, 2024

Iowa vs. Illinois State storylines

Hlas column: There’s more than one acting coach in Iowa City, and he has advice for Iowa’s Seth Wallace

GameDay feature: Beau Stephens finds renewed opportunity after he ‘100 percent trusted’ Iowa

Analysis: How effective is Iowa’s passing game? 3 keys for the Hawkeyes against Illinois State

Illinois State perspective: The Redbirds know what’s coming Saturday from Iowa

Fun Facts: What to know about the Iowa vs. Illinois State matchup

Deep dive: Iowa has an eye toward forcing more turnovers in 2024

Predictions: The Gazette's panelists make their picks

How to watch Iowa vs. Illinois State

Kickoff time: 11:01 a.m. (CT)

TV channel: Big Ten Network

Live stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app

TV announcers: Mark Followill, Anthony Herron

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network