Wildcats climb out of big hole to win

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Jesse Brown scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, and Northwestern erased an early 17-point deficit to beat Iowa 21-20 on Saturday.

The Wildcats outscored the Hawkeyes 21-3 after the first quarter, eating up clock and keeping the Hawkeyes offense out of rhythm.

The Wildcats are 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2014. Iowa is 0-2for the first time since 2000.

Peyton Ramsey threw for 130 yards on 11-of-18 passing and ran 26 yards, and Isaiah Bowser had 25 carries for 85 yards for the Wildcats.

Spencer Petras threwall three of his interceptions in the second half, the last one on a tipped ball that linebacker Blake Gallagher picked off, allowing Northwestern to go into victory formation.

Iowa’s 17-0 first-quarter lead came after Northwestern gifted the Hawkeyes with two turnovers— a muffed punt inside the 5-yard line and a fumble near midfield. From there, though, Northwestern regained control.

Kyric McGowan scored on a 3-yard run and Brown scored from the 1 to pull the Wildcats within 20-14.

Iowa punted three times, had three passes intercepted and turned the ball over on downson seven second-half possessions that netted a total of 104 yards.

Northwestern won for the fourth time in the least five meetings and the third straight in Iowa City.

For the second-straight week, Iowa struggled to find consistency on offense. Petras completed 26 of 50 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. There wasn’t much help from the ground game as the Hawkeyes averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.

For the second straight week, Northwestern held its opponent to fewer than 80 rushing yards. Aside from the two touchdown drives — both coming off turnovers that gave it good field position — Iowa couldn’t string together much of anything against theWildcats.