Iowa's offense is reeling after a poor showing against Minnesota, and it got even worse.
The Hawkeyes fell flat against the Golden Gophers in the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale, and their offense was a major reason why. The unit outgained Minnesota by nearly 80 yards (288 to 209) but coughed the ball up four times in the 13-10 loss. After a solid game against Washington, the rushing attack took a step back against Minnesota, and the unit's depth will be tested after a recent injury update.
Kirk Ferentz announced that RB1 Kamari Moulton is out for the year
Iowa's rushing attack was limited to 90 yards a week after putting up 263 against Washington, with nearly every running back fumbling. Luckily, the offense lost only one fumble, but the running game was far worse than we expected against a poor Minnesota rushing defense. Iowa's rushing attack has been inconsistent this season for multiple reasons, and the unit took a major hit after Kirk Ferentz's recent update on Kamari Moulton's injury.
Kirk Ferentz says that running back Kamari Moulton is OUT for the remainder of the season.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) October 27, 2026
If Iowa's offense wasn't struggling enough, Ferentz gave an update that no one wanted to hear. During his weekly press conference, Ferentz announced that Moulton will miss the rest of the season after suffering an injury against Minnesota. Moulton was escorted to the locker room just before halftime, and he never returned. After Moulton left, L.J. Phillips Jr., Nathan McNeil, and Braeden Jackson all fumbled and failed to ignite the rushing attack. Iowa has running back depth, but losing Moulton is a massive blow to an already struggling offense.
Moulton led the Iowa backfield in carries (86), rushing yards (541), and rushing touchdowns (4) this season, and is the unquestioned leader. Moulton is also an exceptional person and a humble leader who leads by example. While the offense will clearly miss his on-field production, his leadership and character are just as important.
Iowa's rushing attack has failed to live up to its potential against Power Four opponents, struggling in four out of five games this season. The unit appeared to turn a corner against Washington, but then reverted to its poor form against Minnesota. It doesn't get easier in week nine against Wisconsin, which has been stout against the run this season. The Badgers' defense ranks No. 16 overall in run defense, presenting a unique challenge for the Hawkeyes. If Iowa can't establish the run, it could get out of hand in the battle for the Heartland Trophy this weekend.
Iowa has the RB talent, now it's time for them to step up
Without Moulton, it will truly be a case of "next-man-up" mentality, and Iowa has the talent to answer the call. L.J. Phillips Jr. is the logical choice to replace Moulton, but he has struggled with injuries and hasn't been nearly as effective as we expected. Phillips rushed for nearly 2,000 yards with South Dakota last season and is too talented to stay down long. If Phillips Jr. isn't fully healthy or is ineffective, Iowa has proven it has the depth to be successful. With Moulton and Phillips Jr. sidelined in week three, the Hawkeyes' rushing attack exploded for 422 yards against Northern Iowa.
Iowa had three running backs go over 100 yards, Xavier Williams (151), Braeden Jackson (125), and Nathan McNeil (111), showcasing the depth of the running back room against the Panthers. The rushing attack has struggled this season, and while it isn't all on the running backs, they have a chance to step up in Moulton's absence. The offensive line hasn't performed at the level we've come to expect, the quarterback situation remains a mess, and the running backs are consistently running into a loaded box. It would be a massive confidence boost if the offense can establish the running game against Wisconsin and silence any doubt that the season is heading in the wrong direction
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