It may have only been one game against an FCS opponent, but the Iowa rushing attack was as advertised in a dominating 34-7 win against Albany.
After the offense struggled early in the game and left the Hawkeyes in a 7-3 hole after the first quarter, Iowa completely abandoned the passing game and leaned on the rushing attack.
Starting running back Kamari Moulton exited the game after the first drive with an apparent shoulder injury and did not return. The Hawkeyes turned to a combination of Terrell Washington Jr., Jaziun Patterson, and Xavier Williams in an attempt to spark their offense.
The running back trio each brought something different to the table, and the Hawkeyes were able to rack up 310 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the win.
In Mark Gronowski's first start for Iowa under center, the passing attack was nonexistent, and the Hawkeyes heavily relied on the ground attack to move the ball.
With Moulton sidelined with an injury, the Hawkeye offense employed a running back-by-committee approach, but one of the four running backs shone above the rest.
For the first time since Shonn Greene, an Iowa freshman ran for 100 yards in his debut with the #Hawkeyes.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) August 31, 2025
Xavier Williams has a long way to go, but the beginning of his career in Iowa City is on one hell of a trajectory. https://t.co/xhGHJEIPZl
Freshman phenom Xavier Williams led the Iowa backfield in rushing yards (122) and touchdowns (one) as he showcased his dynamic running ability and explosiveness in game one.
According to HawkeyeInsider and 247 Sports' Eliot Clough, Williams is the first freshman since Shonn Greene to rush for 100-plus yards in their Iowa debut. Greene rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown in 2005 against Ball State.
Williams' 122 rushing yards are the most by a freshman in a debut since 1970.
Greene was one of the best running backs in Iowa program history, and for Williams to be named alongside the former great is a remarkable achievement.
During his postgame press conference, Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz stated that Williams "looked like a veteran guy out there," and he has been ready to go since preparing with the team before the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Williams was one of the biggest bright spots in Iowa's win over Albany. If he can recreate his performance this week against Iowa State, he will be celebrated by Hawkeye fans forever.