Notre Dame holds off pesky Western Michigan

That was a little too close.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – While this isn’t expected to be the best season for Notre Dame, some games should be easier than others. With the Irish having not lost to Western Michigan since 1966, the Broncos’ visit to Purcell Pavilion should have been one of those games. Don’t let that 86-65 final fool you because the Irish had to earn this win.

Before halftime, the Irish (4-4) saw a late 10-point lead whittled down to three before [autotag]Julian Roper II[/autotag] made a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer. Even when they opened their lead up to 18 during the second half, the Broncos (2-6) kept battling until they cut that lead in half. Fortunately, the Irish responded to that with a 9-2 run that essentially put the game out of reach, and they held serve from there.

[autotag]Tae Davis[/autotag] did the most damage for the Irish, achieving a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. [autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] scored 17 while dishing out six assists. Off the bench, [autotag]Braeden Shrewsberry[/autotag] contributed 16 points, most of them coming on a game-high four 3-pointers. Roper also had a solid night with 14 points and six boards.

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Stock Talk: Stock up, stock down following Week 3 Western Michigan win

Iowa took care of business in Week 3. Which Hawkeyes’ stocks are up and whose stocks are down after the win over Western Michigan?

After a sluggish start, the Iowa Hawkeyes rolled away from Western Michigan in a 41-10 nonconference-closing victory.

With the win, Iowa heads into Big Ten sitting at a perfect 3-0. It’s the 11th time under Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz that the Hawkeyes have begun 3-0 or better.

Now, before close this chapter and officially turn the page to a monster prime-time showdown, let’s take a look at which Hawkeyes’ stocks are rising and which Hawkeyes’ stocks are falling.

Best photos from the Iowa Hawkeyes’ Week 3 win over Western Michigan

Iowa captured a 41-10 win over Western Michigan. Here’s the best photos from the day and win that was.

After a Week 3 that featured another lightning delay like a year ago, the Iowa Hawkeyes emerge 3-0 after a 41-10 win over Western Michigan.

Iowa leaned on its running game, racking up 254 rushing yards and three rushing scores. Junior Leshon Williams led the way with 145 rushing yards on 12 carries. Freshman Kamari Moulton had a pair of rushing touchdowns and finished with 50 rushing yards in his collegiate debut.

While the Hawkeyes’ passing game clearly has a ways to go, senior quarterback Cade McNamara did fire a pair of touchdown passes to Diante Vines and Leshon Williams. It was a 3-yard connection with Vines and a 25-yard catch-and-run to Williams.

McNamara finished just 9-of-19 passing with two interceptions and only 103 yards.

Meanwhile, defensively, Iowa didn’t get off to the fastest of starts either. The Hawkeyes surrendered a 64-yard touchdown pass from Treyson Bourget to wide receiver Anthony Sambucci. The Hawkeyes allowed another nine-play, 66-yard drive that led to a field goal in the first half.

But, after those two scoring drives, Iowa forced six punts, jarred the football loose and sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman recovered it and the Hawkeyes came away with another turnover on downs. Iowa allowed just  35 yards of total offense after halftime.

Before Iowa turns its attention to a huge date next week at Penn State, let’s take a look back at this win through these fantastic photos.

Key takeaways as Iowa pulls away from Western Michigan

The Iowa Hawkeyes separated in the second half, winning 41-10 over Western Michigan. Here’s rapid takeaways from Iowa’s victory.

It wasn’t the start-to-finish, dominant performance that fans were hoping for, but, in the end, the Iowa Hawkeyes did manage to separate from Western Michigan in the second half.

An inspired effort running the football, a defense that clamped down after halftime and more terrific special teams highlighted the 41-10 win over the Broncos.

What are the big takeaways from Iowa’s final nonconference tilt of 2023? Let’s dive in.

Second-half Stampede: Social media reacts as Iowa awakens to top Western Michigan

Iowa topped Western Michigan, 41-10, to close nonconference play. It was an adventurous win to say the least. Social media reacted properly.

What a game for the Iowa Hawkeyes. They had their biggest win of the season, defeating the Western Michigan Broncos, 41-10. It was probably the least fulfilling blowout I’ve ever seen.

Despite putting up their highest point total of the season, this one still felt like a pain to get through. The first half was probably their worst of the season, going down 7-0 early and looking unable to score. There was a 40-minute lightning delay, which just furthered the madness.

Finally though, the rushing attack started to look back to Iowa’s old form. While Kaleb Johnson missed the entire game and Jaziun Patterson picked up an injury during the game, Iowa managed to figure it out.

Leshon Williams had a game for the ages, registering over 150 yards from scrimmage. True freshman Kamari Moulton saw his first playing time, racking up 50 yards and reaching the end zone twice.

In the process, Moulton became the first Hawkeye to tally two or more touchdowns in his collegiate debut since Jewel Hampton had two against Maine in the 2008 season opener. It truly looked the most like the Iowa rushing attack of old for the first time in a long time.

We’re just going to gloss over the entire passing attack, as I’d like to remain happy with the victory. Iowa finally got a blowout, and more importantly (I think), Brian Ferentz got his 25 points. What a result! Here are the best social media reactions.

Iowa fans react in horror at another Week 3 lightning delay

It happened again! For the second year in a row, Iowa football is experiencing a Week 3 weather delay at Kinnick Stadium.

Lightning delay folks! Lightning delay!

That’s right Iowa fans and all other curious minds reading in on this piece. For the second straight year, Iowa has experienced a weather delay in their third game of the season. Almost a year to the date from last year’s late-night fiasco against Nevada, the Hawkeyes find themselves prematurely returning to the locker room this time against Western Michigan.

Unfortunately, the game has not been going the Hawkeyes’ way so far, so we can’t even have the hope for a cancellation like last year. Iowa finds themselves down 7-0 to the Broncos after giving up a big, 64-yard passing touchdown from Treyson Bourguet to Anthony Sambucci.

Naturally, against one of the worst statistical defenses in the nation so far this year, the Hawkeyes look absolutely lost on offense. Cade McNamara looks hurt and unsure, much like me when I wake up in the morning.

The offensive line also looks to have absolutely no interest in blocking anyone, because honestly, who needs that? Truly, this has been one of the most frustrating starts to an Iowa game. This is one the Hawkeyes should be rolling along in, not trying to play catch up.

And now, we have a lightning delay. We all have to collectively sit here with our thoughts and stew in anger. Of course, anger can lead to comedy. Just like we did last year—but hopefully for less of a delay this year—here are the best social media reactions to the ongoing weather delay at Kinnick Stadium.

Kinnick Diaries: Iowa vs. Western Michigan Week 3 live blog

Follow along with us as we react to and update in real time the Iowa Hawkeyes’ Week 3 matchup versus Western Michigan in our live blog!

Week 3 is here and it is the last week of nonconference play. Iowa has a massive game on the horizon, with a visit to Happy Valley looming next Saturday.

That’s next week, though. This week’s opponent is Western Michigan. The MAC opponent enters the game looking to avenge a 48-7 loss at the hands of Syracuse last week.

For the Hawkeyes, it’s a chance to make a statement with a big victory. The Hawkeyes are 2-0 but have failed to reach the targeted 25 points per game goal yet this season. The offense has seen its improvements early on this year, but haven’t fully reached their potential yet.

It’s week three at Kinnick stadium! As always, follow along below with our live blog for today’s contest. Remember to refresh the page to keep up with the current updates as they role in!

Tale of the Tape: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Western Michigan Broncos

It’s gameday! Here’s a final statistical breakdown of the Iowa Hawkeyes and their Week 3 opponent, the Western Michigan Broncos.

Iowa is 2-0 and has a massive matchup on the horizon next week. Next Saturday they will travel to Happy Valley to kick off Big Ten conference play against Penn State.

Though the biggest game of the regular season is right around the corner, it doesn’t really mean a thing for head coach Kirk Ferentz’s team. That’s next week. This week the Hawkeyes have their sights set on MAC opponent Western Michigan.

The Broncos enter Kinnick Stadium with vengeance on their mind. Western Michigan was on the receiving end of a blowout last week, losing to Syracuse, 48-7. Now, Western Michigan will look to shock the world by walking into Iowa City and pulling off the upset.

Every Iowa fan will be thinking the same exact thing ahead of Saturday’s contest, “trap game.” Though the Broncos don’t appear to be much of a threat, no team in college football can be overlooked. With a few unlucky bounces, the game can get away from you. This is especially true with Iowa’s low-scoring output on offense.

Just how much should fans be concerned about Western Michigan? Here is the tale of the tape.

Notre Dame women release 2023-24 nonconference schedule

Which game are you most looking forward to?

Barring any unforeseen changes, Notre Dame will enter the 2023-24 season in as good of shape as it could be. [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag] will be healthy, [autotag]Cassandre Prosper[/autotag] will be around for a full season, and [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] has arrived. That doesn’t even account for the fact that virtually the entire rest of the rotation from the Irish’s second straight Sweet 16 is returning. Irish fans should be feeling very confident.

Before tackling ACC play, the Irish will play a nonconference schedule. Actually, one of those games is scheduled for the middle of conference play, but that game as well as the season opener will serve as real measuring sticks for where they stand. That’s because those opponents are among the class of women’s basketball.

Based on this schedule, what kind of shape do you think the Irish will be in by the time their conference opponents start popping up? Whatever you think, here it is:

Notre Dame releases nonconference schedule for 2023-24

Make your plans accordingly.

Notre Dame is in a transitional period for sure. There’s a new coach in [autotag]Micah Shrewsberry[/autotag]. Almost the entire roster is different, and the few returning players barely have seen the floor in their careers.

Needless to say, this does not stand to be a winning season in South Bend. However, games still need to be played because how else are you going to gain experience?

To that end, the Irish have released their nonconference schedule for the 2023-24 season. They should earn a few wins simply because some of their opponents don’t come from power conferences. Such is typical in the early days of the college basketball season. The only way the Irish could lose out is if they have absolutely no talent, and these players are with an ACC program for a reason.

Here are the nonconference games for the season, not including the Legends Classic on Nov. 16 and 17 in Brooklyn that will feature the Irish, Auburn, Oklahoma State and St. Bonaventure. The first-round matchups for that will be determined at a later date. For everything else though, mark your calendar: