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Iowa becomes bowl-eligible behind yet another big game from Kaleb Johnson

The Iowa Hawkeyes officially become bowl-eligible for the 2024 season behind another impressive performance from running back Kaleb Johnson.

By Ericka Brockish

Nov 2, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67) and running back Kaleb Johnson (2) react after a touchdown run by Johnson against the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67) and running back Kaleb Johnson (2) react after a touchdown run by Johnson against the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
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The fact that Kaleb Johnson is not up for the Heisman Trophy seems to be a crime against football. The Heisman Trophy is meant to go to the best player in college football, and Johnson has the resume to go up against any Heisman candidate at this point in the season. He is the second-leading rusher behind Ashton Jeanty, who is a Heisman favorite, with 1,279 yards and 20 total touchdowns on the season, 19 of them rushing.

Behind Johnson's dominant performance, the Hawkeyes were able to keep the Heartland Trophy in Iowa City with a 42-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers. Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan got his first win of the season with Cade McNamara out with a concussion, but based on the way the offense has played with Sullivan under center, McNamara may not see the field again this season.

The Hawkeyes trailed only once in the game, and it was early when the Badgers took a 3-0 lead, but that all changed when Sullivan ran for a one-yard touchdown to take the lead, one the Hawkeyes would not relinquish for the rest of the game.

Sullivan didn't have the flashiest state line, only attempting ten passes, completing seven of them for 93 yards and one passing touchdown, but with the way the offense is running behind Johnson, he just needs to be effective when a pass play is called. Sullivan simply needs to be a facilitator for the offense and hand the ball over to Johnson.

The defense had another signature Phil Parker game, suffocating their opponent and only allowing Wisconsin to score 10 points, which included a touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter when it felt like the game was already out of hands. The Hawkeyes' defense had two interceptions against Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke both giving the offense great field position.

Iowa is now officially bowl-eligible as they get their sixth win of the season with three games left and have the ability to finish the season 9-3 if they can win out the rest of the way. The Hawkeyes will have a quick turnaround as they travel across the country to UCLA for a Friday showdown set for 8:00 p.m. CT.

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