3 game balls for Iowa's convincing win over Illinois State in Week 1

It didn't seem like I was going to be able to give out game balls for this game in the first half, however, the Hawkeyes came out in the second half and showed they could have a real offense. Iowa came out incredibly flat on offense to start the game and it seemed like Hawkeye fans were going to have to go through yet another season with an abysmal offense and dominant defense.

In the second half, however, the offense came out and played like Iowa had never played before. They scored the most points they had in a half since 2021 with 3 points.

Of course, there were guys that shined in today's game, and they deserve a little something for the great play. These Hawkeyes earned themselves game balls for their Week 1 play.

1. Reece Vander Zee

The freshman from a small town in Iowa was a star in fall camp this preseason and showed why in the second half of the game. It took a while for the wide receivers to truly get into the game but some of that was due to poor quarterback play.

In the second half though, Vander scored his first career touchdown in college football with a nice pass from quarterback Cade McNamara for seven yards. This got the scoring going for the Hawkeyes and Vander Zee's career started.

His more impressive catch was made at the beginning of the fourth quarter as McNamara ripped off a 19-yard pass falling backward towards the end zone and Vander Zee climbed the ladder to reel in the pass. His play was the best of all the wide receivers with 66 yards on five receptions and for that, he deserves the season's first game ball.

2. Second half Cade McNamara

Now to be clear here, this game ball goes to the Cade McNamara who came out of halftime and went 13-for-14 with three touchdowns in the second half. The McNamara that played in the first half was a completely different person and did not get this game ball.

In the first half, McNamara did not even resemble a quarterback, but in the second half, he looked like an elite player. He was throwing on the run, scrambling for first downs, and had great vision. He only had one incompletion in the second half and made great decisions, so second half Cade McNamara gets a game ball for his Week 1 play.

3. The entire Iowa defense

Iowa's defense did not allow a single point to Illinois State and the Redbirds had problems even getting into field goal range. At one point Iowa's defense had more turnovers than the offense had first downs.

Phil Parker's defense came out and had a job to do and got the job done. Illinois State's offense had to work for every single yard they got and the defense suffocated the receivers and the running backs. This defense remains elite and looked like they were in midseason form earning them a Week 1 game ball.