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EVANSTON, Illinois (Ticker) -- Northwestern's once-promising season bottomed out after it was thrashed at home by Iowa, 59-16, in a Big Ten Conference contest. The Wildcats, who were the preseason pick to win the Big Ten, gave up 602 yards in losing their fourth consecutive game. Northwestern (4-5, 2-5) now must win its remaining games against Bowling Green and at Illinois to become bowl eligible. Iowa (5-4, 3-4), dominated the Wildcats from beginning to end, capping a 15-play, 68-yard drive with a four-yard TD run by Jeremy Allen with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter. The Hawkeyes scored touchdowns on their next two possessions and the rout was on. After Northwestern closed to 21-7 with eight seconds remaining in the first quarter on a 29-yard TD toss from Zak Kustok to Sam Simmons, Iowa scored four touchdowns and a field goal on its next five possessions to put the game well out of reach, 52-7, with 8:58 to go in the third quarter. Hawkeye quarterback Kyle McCann was 9-of-14 for 156 yards and a TD, and backup Brad Banks was 7-for-9 for 145 yards and a TD after replacing McCann midway through the third quarter. Northwestern couldn't stop Iowa's rushing game, either. The Hawkeyes ran for 297 yards and six TDs on 59 carries. The Wildcats played without injured running back Damien Anderson, the nation's leading returning rusher from last season who is suffering from a dislocated shoulder. Northwestern rushed for just 120 yards and no TDs on 31 carries. Kustok was ineffective against the Hawkeyes, completing just 9-of-20 passes for 86 yards. He threw one touchdown pass but was intercepted twice. Iowa has to win against Minnesota next week or at Iowa State on November 24 to become bowl eligible.
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