IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Kaleb Johnson rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns and backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan added another rushing touchdown as Iowa beat Northwestern 40-14 on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) scored 28 points in the third quarter behind Johnson and Sullivan to take control.

Johnson, who is second nationally in yards rushing and yards rushing per game, scored on a 26-yard touchdown run late in the first half to give the Hawkeyes a 12-7 halftime lead. He added a 41-yard touchdown run in the third to give Iowa a 33-7 lead and followed with a 25-yard touchdown run later in the quarter.

It was the sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season for Johnson, who has now scored 16 rushing touchdowns this season.

Sullivan, who played 13 games with eight starts in two seasons at Northwestern before transferring to Iowa last spring, entered the game with 9:25 left in the second quarter, replacing starter Cade McNamara. Sullivan threw for 79 yards while rushing for 41 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run that set up the Hawkeyes' scoring in the third quarter.

Kaden Wetjen added an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown for Iowa in the third quarter.

Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) got an 85-yard interception return by Theran Johnson in the second quarter and a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown by Drew Wagner in the fourth quarter.

BIG PICTURE

Northwestern: The Wildcats, who had just 163 yards of offense, ranked 129th nationally in total offense and 119th in total offense. Northwestern's average starting position was 21, and after pushing into Iowa territory on their first drive, they didn't cross midfield again until midway through the fourth quarter.

Iowa: Sullivan's entry into the game brought some life to the Hawkeyes' offense. His running skills were on display on a 40-yard pass to tight end Johnny Pascuzzi as Sullivan raced down the field to make a crucial block. The Hawkeyes' defense, which struggled in last Saturday's 32-20 loss to Michigan State, responded with its best performance of the season.

NEXT

Northwestern: Next Saturday at Purdue.

Iowa: Host Wisconsin next Saturday.

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