Despite a low-scoring first half that saw Iowa hold a 9-7 lead, the Hawkeyes opened it up a little more in the second to topple Purdue, 26-20, on Saturday.

Once again, the defense led the way for Iowa, especially in the first half.

The Hawkeyes yielded only a single touchdown on a nice catch by Boilermaker receiver David Bell in the first half before giving up 13 points in the second half.

The unit also forced a couple of turnovers.

The first came in the second quarter when Purdue was threatening on Iowa’s 18. When quarterback Jack Plummer completed a pass to wide receiver Amad Anderson, Iowa safety Geno Stone came through to force a fumble that Matt Hankins jumped on, keeping Iowa’s 6-0 lead intact.

Then, on Purdue’s first drive after the half, Riley Moss stopped a Boilermaker drive that was moving with a leaping interception.

The pick led to Iowa’s lone touchdown of the game, a 1-yard jump by freshman running Tyler Goodson for the first score of his career.

After Purdue made it 19-13 with a field goal toward the end of the fourth quarter, Mekhi Sargent rolled into the end zone on a 14-yard scamper.

Although the touchdown came on the ground, Iowa couldn’t run the ball with ease, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

Keith Duncan proved to be a key piece in the win once again, nailing all four of his field-goal attempts and two extra points to score 14 of Iowa’s 26 points.

Hawkeye quarterback Nate Stanley posted a solid performance, as well, finishing 22-for-33 for 260 yards, and an interception off a tip by Goodson.

Wide receiver Brandon Smith made his presence felt in the passing game, recording career-highs in catches (9) and yards (106).

Smith, however, left the game with 4:21 remaining in the fourth quarter with an apparent right leg injury.

Next, the Hawkeyes will hit the road to take on Northwestern on Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.