Sep 123 min read

Iowa Hosts Troy for Potential Bounce-Back Win

Cade McNamara — © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Triobune/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Iowa Hawkeyes (1-1) are hosting the Troy Trojans (0-2) at 4 p.m. EST on Sept. 14 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Hawkeyes need a bounce-back win after losing the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy 20-19 against in-state Iowa State. The loss to the Cyclones (2-0) dropped Iowa out of the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll after being ranked No. 21 coming into the rivalry game. Now, the Hawkeyes face a struggling Trojans squad that is still trying to get into the win column for the 2024 season.

Troy is the last hurdle in the way for the Hawkeyes before Big Ten Conference play, which opens up with heading to Minnesota, so a win over Troy would be a good moral boost.

What’s at Stake?

There’s a lot at stake for Iowa this week, even against a weaker opponent. A loss would be detrimental to its season. A loss is unlikely, though, because Iowa is a much stronger team and is one of the better teams in the Big Ten, and Troy is a weak Sun Belt Conference squad.

It is more important for Iowa to look great in this game to prepare for Big Ten play.

Against Iowa State, Iowa blew a 19-7 lead with just four minutes left in the fourth quarter. The offense was stagnant and didn’t score at all in the last quarter.

After the Iowa score, Cyclones’ quarterback Rocco Becht hit Jaylin Noel for a 75-yard touchdown on the next play from scrimmage. Veteran quarterback Cade McNamara and the offense couldn’t do anything and punted the rest of the game, while Iowa State connected on a pair of field goals.

Iowa has a chance to get the offense back on track against Troy where the Hawkeyes can run up the score. If they can’t do that, then it’s going to be a long season.

On the other hand, there isn’t much to lose for Troy in a game where it’s projected to lose. A win would be a great boost and give hope for the rest of the season.

Key Players: Iowa

Jay Higgins, Linebacker

Higgins, a senior, is the focal point of Iowa’s defense. Higgins leads the team with 18 tackles, has an interception and a forced a fumble.

He is a difference-maker when he is on the field. However, Higgins was one of the reasons for the blown coverage that led to the 75-yard touchdown pass against Iowa State. He has to bounce back for Iowa to have a strong performance against Troy.

Cade McNamara, Quarterback

McNamara has been in college football for a long time at the age of 24, and he’s seen it all.

He won a Big Ten Championship with Michigan, then was benched the next season and transferred in conference to Iowa where he tore his ACL in his first season.

The offense last year was nonexistent, but this year things have turned around a little. In the opener, McNamara looked improved and it looked like for once Iowa had an offense. It wasn’t the same story against Iowa State.

McNamara didn’t have his best game and now his starting role is in question. Like Iowa, McNamara needs a big game, which he’s shown he’s capable of, or he might be benched once again.

Key players: Troy

Devonte Ross, Wide Receiver

Devonte Ross is Troy’s best offensive weapon. He leads the team with 129 receiving yards and has the only receiving touchdown for Troy.

Troy Trojans — © Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Ross is small, at 5-foot-11, but is fast and explosive and hurts teams down the field. He averages 12.9 yards per catch and racked up a 29-yard grab in a 38-17 loss to the Memphis Tigers (2-0).

In the close loss to Nevada (1-2), Ross had more than 100 yards and 7 receptions, compared to just 3 catches in the loss to Memphis, meaning the more he is fed, the better off the offense is.

Damien Taylor, Running Back

Troy spreads the ball around when it comes to the ground game, but Taylor eats the most.

He averages 7.6 yards per touch and has a touchdown in two games. Troy likes to pound the rock and almost has more rushing yards than passing. When Troy needs a big rush, Taylor’s name is called, so the Hawkeyes will have to slow him down.

Trends to Watch

Both teams have had struggles offensively. Iowa has the upper hand on both offense and defense in terms of talent, but that doesn’t mean Troy can't give the Hawkeyes a run for their money.

If Iowa gets the offense back on track, its defense can slow down the Trojans to pick up the win in a convincing fashion.