IOWA CITY, Iowa — Kaleb Johnson rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns as Iowa rallied in the second half for a 38-21 win over Troy on Saturday.
It was the third consecutive 100-yard rushing game to start the season for Johnson, who came into the game ranked third nationally at 153 yards per game.
Johnson opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run on Iowa’s first possession then his 33-yard touchdown run with 12:05 left in the game gave the Hawkeyes a 31-21 lead.
The Hawkeyes (2-1) were able to shake off the Trojans (0-3), who got three big scoring plays from receiver Devonte Ross.
Ross gave Troy a 14-10 halftime lead with a 63-yard touchdown reception from Matthew Caldwell early in the second quarter along with a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown with one minute left in the half.
Ross caught a 62-yard touchdown from Tucker Kilcrease in the third quarter.
Ross finished the game with 219 all-purpose yards.
Johnson’s second score was one of four second-half touchdowns for the Hawkeyes. Addison Ostrenga caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan, and Jermari Harris returned an interception 28 yards for another touchdown. Jaziun Patterson closed the scoring with a 39-yard touchdown run with 6:01 left in the game.
Troy was playing without injured starting quarterback Goose Crowder. Caldwell started the game, completing 14 of 21 passes for 156 yards, while Kilcrease was 2 of 5 for 73 yards.
Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara was 19-of-23 passing for 176 yards. McNamara had nine consecutive completions during one stretch.
The Hawkeyes had 462 yards of offense, including 284 rushing yards.
The takeaway
Troy: The Trojans, who opened the season with a close home loss to Nevada and a 21-point road loss to Memphis, showed improvement in the third game under new coach Gerad Parker.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes fell out of the AP poll after last week’s loss to Iowa State, but this didn’t feel like the kind of win that can get them back into the rankings. Iowa’s mistake-free offense wore down the Trojans in the second half, allowing the Hawkeyes to rally from the first-half deficit.
Up next
Troy: Hosts Florida A&M next Saturday.
Iowa: At Minnesota next Saturday.