### Iowa Dominates Washington: McNamara and Johnson Lead a Resounding Victory

In an impressive display of football, the Iowa Hawkeyes secured a decisive 40-16 victory over Washington, providing a significant boost to their season. This triumph came after a tough 28-point loss to Ohio State the previous week, marking a pivotal turnaround for the team.

Following the game, Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara expressed that the performance felt like a significant step forward for the Hawkeyes. "I think for us to be able to get back on our feet, play a complete game of football, show what we're able to do, play to our potential," McNamara stated. "But also, there's always still room to get better. I think this was a big step for our team."

Iowa had been inconsistent in its first five games of the season, showing glimpses of potential alongside stretches of disappointing play. Their season opener saw a halftime lead of just 6-0 against Illinois State before pulling away to a 40-0 win. Against Iowa State, they led by 13 at halftime but were nearly outscored thereafter. They faced deficits against Troy and Minnesota before rallying to win, and a 7-point halftime deficit against Ohio State expanded to a 28-point loss.

However, against Washington, Iowa delivered their most complete performance of the season. They dominated the game from start to finish and never trailed. Head Coach Kirk Ferentz, who achieved his 200th win with Iowa, was pleased with how the team played. "They competed the full 60," Ferentz remarked. "It wasn't perfect, but it was a really good effort by everybody. To that point, I thought we really played good complementary football today. When we do that, it gives us a chance to have good outcomes."

Star running back Kaleb Johnson played a crucial role in the victory, scoring three touchdowns—two rushing and one receiving—and amassing 166 rushing yards in addition to 22 receiving yards. Johnson’s performance this season has been stellar, rushing for 119 yards or more in five out of Iowa’s first six games. He remains humble about his accomplishments, commenting, "I feel like I'm one of the great backs."

McNamara, who had faced criticism earlier in the season, showed considerable improvement by avoiding turnovers and completing 8-of-14 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. With a potent running game, McNamara’s role as a low-mistake quarterback appears to be sufficient for the team's success.

The game also highlighted Iowa’s strong defensive and special teams play. Aaron Graves had a strip sack recovered by Max Llewellyn, and Jermari Harris secured an interception in the second half. The defense limited Washington to their lowest point total of the season. Special teams were equally impactful, with Yahya Black blocking a field-goal attempt and kicker Drew Stevens converting all four of his field goals.

As they look ahead, the schedule appears favorable for the Hawkeyes. With only Nebraska and Wisconsin boasting winning records among their remaining opponents, Iowa has a chance to build on this momentum. If they can sustain Saturday's level of play, the Hawkeyes might have a clear path to a successful season and potential postseason ambitions.

"Just a lot of good complementary football, guys feeding off each other a little bit," Ferentz said. "Just proud of the way the guys responded."