Iowa blows out Illinois State while coach Kirk Ferentz serves suspension

The Iowa Hokies looked sharp as they emerged from the locker room for the second half of their season opener.

Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara scored three second-half touchdowns to help Iowa to a 40-0 victory over Illinois State on Saturday.

For the first time in more than 20 years, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz did not roam the sideline. Ferentz missed the game due to a one-game suspension.

The suspension stems from misconduct committed during McNamara's recruiting process. Iowa wide receivers coach John Budmaier has also been suspended. The NCAA's investigation is ongoing.

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Assistant head coach Seth Wallace took over as manager in place of Ferentz on Saturday.

“The way they played today under the circumstances was really good,” Wallace said of the Hawkeyes' performance.

McNamara, who missed the final nine games of last season with a knee injury, threw touchdown passes of 7 and 19 yards to freshman wide receiver Reece Vander Zee and a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Gill to help the Hokies reverse a 6-0 halftime lead.

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“The first half was just up to par for the first game,” Wallace said, “but the second half was probably a better indication of the type of team we are.”

McNamara said the second-half victory was built on Iowa's final possession of the first half, when the school went 49 yards on 10 attempts and assisted on Drew Stevens' second field goal of the game.

Iowa State quarterback Cade McNamara (left) runs up the field during the first half of a game against Illinois State on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Nibergal)

“I think we really started to get some momentum going at the end of the second quarter because we had some good drives,” McNamara said. “We just weren't able to finish it off with a touchdown. We were rough early on and our tempo wasn't that great. We started to get some momentum going and we started to get our tempo going and I think that set us up really well for the second half.”

University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz watches his team during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 8, 2022, in Champaign, Illinois. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

McNamara started the second half by completing eight straight passes, eventually completing 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and one carry for 12 yards, with a 20-yard scramble earlier in the half being called off by a penalty.

“It was really good to actually be healthy today and be able to run around a little bit,” said McNamara, who injured his quad during training camp last season. “I didn't expect to run as much as I did today, but I felt good and it gave me confidence.”

University of Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) dives in front of Illinois State defensive back Keondre Jackson (3) for extra yardage during the first half of a game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Nibergal)

Iowa's new offensive coordinator, Tim Lester, will be in the spotlight all season. Ferentz's son, Brian Ferentztook over offensive coordinator duties in 2023. Lester will now be tasked with rebuilding a team that finished last in the nation in total offense last season.

Iowa had 147 yards of total offense in the first half, but gained 180 yards and 11 first downs in the third quarter. Iowa finished the game with 492 yards of total offense.

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Illinois State coach Brock Spack pointed to the first two quarters of the game in assessing his team's loss.

“In my opinion, it was the first half that cost us the game,” Spack said. “Iowa made some mistakes with penalties and stuff and we just couldn't come back and play. We played great in the first half, but we needed a little help.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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