Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester recaps the Hawkeyes' first five games during a press conference in Iowa City on Tuesday, Sept. 30. (Ethan Petrik/Quad-City Times)
IOWA CITY — Iowa leaned on its ground game and a record-breaking season from Kaleb Johnson last season as it weathered passing game woes and a spate of injuries at the quarterback position.
Iowa running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs from Indiana linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa running back Xavier Williams runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Jaziun Patterson (4) carries the ball up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Nathan McNeil carries the ball up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Terrell Washington Jr. (8) rushes against Rutgers defensive back Al-Shadee Salaam (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Iowa running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs from Indiana linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa running back Xavier Williams runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Nathan McNeil carries the ball up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Terrell Washington Jr. (8) rushes against Rutgers defensive back Al-Shadee Salaam (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Iowa running back Jaziun Patterson (4) carries the ball up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)