Iowa third-year running back Kaleb Johnson continued his stellar 2024 season for the Hawkeyes, delivering his fifth and sixth touchdowns of the season on Saturday. Heading into the contest, Johnson ranked fourth in the nation in rushing yards despite missing one half due to a team-imposed suspension. It didn’t take long for his rushing prowess to assert itself.

On the Hawkeyes’ third drive of the game, Johnson ran for six yards on the first two plays before running for seven more a few plays later. An unnecessary roughness penalty on a Troy defensive lineman put Iowa inside the five-yard line, and Johnson took advantage.

Lining up behind quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who entered the game for one play, Johnson took the handoff and dashed between the linemen for a four-yard score and a 7-0 Iowa lead.

In the first half, Johnson ran for 100 yards on 17 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per rush.

The 6-foot, 225-pounder struck again in the fourth quarter when Johnson took a handoff from quarterback Cade McNamara and found nothing but green grass to his right. Assisted by blocks from Hawkeye offensive lineman Connor Colby and Gennings Dunker, Johnson sprinted down the right sideline untouched for a score.

Johnson finished the day with 178 yards rushing, a long of 39 yards, and an average of 6.9 per carry.