Iowa tailback Kaleb Johnson thought about avenging last season’s loss against the rival Gophers ever since he returned stronger than ever after struggling with an injury a year ago.
Johnson, the NCAA’s leading rusher this season, demolished defenders Saturday to the tune of 21 carries for 206 yards and three touchdowns in the Gophers’ 31-14 loss Saturday night at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Johnson finished with the most rushing yards against the Gophers since Maryland’s Jake Funk had 221 yards in 2020.
“It feels great,” said Johnson, who had only six carries for 18 yards in a 12-10 loss against Minnesota in Iowa City in 2023. “Last season, I was injured and I really didn’t perform. I was hurt because we lost. Everybody took it very personal, especially me. I wanted to win. I put the team on my back.”
Johnson was the second 100-plus yard rusher against the Gophers this season, joining North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, who finished with 129 yards on the ground in the Tar Heels’ 19-17 victory on Aug. 29.
A sellout crowd Saturday night gasped when Johnson broke away from a slew of defenders into the open field for a 40-yard TD run late in the third quarter to give Iowa the 21-14 lead.
“Tried to make something out of nothing,” Johnson said. “I broke at least four tackles right there all at once. Just kept my head down and pushed through it and it opened up.”
In the fourth quarter, Johnson eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark with a 33-yard burst down the sideline that set up another Hawkeyes scoring drive to extend it to a 17-point lead on the Gophers.