Iowa Football: 3 takeaways from easy win over Rutgers in Week 2

Iowa football opened Big Ten play in Week 2 and it had no problem dismantling bottom-dweller Rutgers. What’d we learn from the easy win?

Let’s face it, Rutgers didn’t stand much of a chance in this one. The Scarlet Knights may have opened the season with a scoring outburst against a lesser foe (yes, those actually exist) but Iowa is a different animal as a top Big Ten West contender.

The Hawkeyes made easy work of the Scarlet Knights, winning 30-0 and this should make Iowa fans feel good about the immediate future.

Rutgers isn’t the best test, but it does show that the Hawkeyes can take care of the teams that they’re supposed to and do so in dominant fashion. A shutout after Rutgers went off in Week 1 is also huge.

What’d we learn from the Hawkeyes’ win?

3. This defense is no joke

Yes, I understand that it was only Rutgers. I get it, but pulling off a shutout against any Group of Five opponent is impressive and Iowa made it look easy.

Iowa gave up just 122 total yards — no, that’s not a typo — to an offense that scored 48 and had over 550 total yards in Week 1. That’s not only impressive, it’s scary for the rest of the Big Ten. Is this a sign of things to come for the Hawkeyes? Possibly, but it’s a good momentum builder.

Rutgers’ passing game was just 9-for-26 through the air with 41 yards and two interceptions and the run game had 23 rushes for 81 yards.

Iowa can play some defense, and there’s no doubt about it.