Week 9 of the NFL season has wrapped up following Monday Night Football in Minneapolis.
On paper, this week’s slate of games wasn’t as appealing as usual. But as the NFL always seems to do, it delivered some classic games and big moments throughout the weekend. And of course, a few former Iowa football stars found a way to make their mark.
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From first career touchdowns to savvy performances from veterans, here’s a look at some of the best performances from former Hawkeyes in Week 9:
Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers
Johnson stepped up in a huge way for the Packers in their 45-27 win over the Patriots. He finished with 14 carries for 68 yards and a first-career NFL touchdown. He powered his way in from two yards out to pad Green Bay’s lead in the second quarter. He also broke off a 34-yard run later in the game, showcasing the big-play ability Iowa fans grew to love.
Johnson’s path to this point has been long. The Steelers cut him just a year after drafting him in the third round. Now he seems to have found a home in Green Bay. And with Josh Jacobs set to miss a lot of time with a foot injury, Johnson may only see his role increase in the coming weeks.
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George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle put together a solid day in the receiving game in the 49ers‘ 38-17 win over the Raiders. He finished with four receptions for 58 yards. But his biggest highlight of the day won’t appear in the box score. Late in the third quarter, Kittle stayed in to block a deep shot to Jordan Watkins. He proceeded to handle multiple Raiders linemen, giving Brock Purdy enough time to find Watkins for a touchdown.
It’s the small things that separate Kittle from the rest of the pack. He’s a great receiver, but he has no problem doing the dirty work as well. There’s a reason he’s still one of the best tight ends in football.
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Drew Stevens, Washington Commanders
Stevens did his job on Sunday, despite the Commanders dropping a 20-13 game to the Rams. He nailed both of his field goal attempts and his long extra-point attempt. After a slow start to the season, the rookie kicker is beginning to find his rhythm in Washington.
He’s made 13 of 14 field goals since Week 2, including a career-long 57-yarder against Seattle. He’s been perfect from inside 50 yards this season. Being a kicker in the NFL isn’t easy. Stevens is showing he’s up to the task in recent weeks.
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; A Iowa Hawkeyes fan looks on before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; A Iowa Hawkeyes fan looks on before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes come out of the tunnel before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) and wide receiver Alex Eichmann (17) interact on the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats take the field against the Iowa Hawkeyes at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) passes the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) catches a pass as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Damon Walters (21) tackles him during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football rises in latest AP Top 25
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) and quarterback Hank Brown (9) celebrate Brown’s touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes cheerleaders during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz on the sidelines in a game against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz talks to a referee during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Nicco Marchiol (4) passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) runs with the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Xavier Styles (18) tackles him during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Tony Diaz (14) catches a touchdown pass as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Damon Walters (21) defends during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Tony Diaz (14) celebrates his touchdown reception with tight end DJ Vonnahme (81) during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Cam Buffington (33) tackles Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (5) during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Cam Buffington (33) celebrates a defensive stop against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back L.J. Phillips Jr. (21) runs the ball as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Robert Fitzgerald (6) defends him during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Cam Buffington (33) and linebacker Landyn van Kekerix (23) tackle Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (5) during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes kicker Caden Buhr (92) kicks a field goal against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football climbs latest USA TODAY Sports 1-138 re-rank
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Addison Ostrenga (87) celebrates a field goal against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes kicker Caden Buhr (92) celebrates his field goal against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Kahmari Brown (43) applies pressure on Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Nicco Marchiol (4) during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Kobie McKinzie (2) tackles Iowa Hawkeyes running back L.J. Phillips Jr. (21) during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Iowa football vs Northwestern: Best photos of Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win
Nov 7, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Damon Walters (21) tackles Iowa Hawkeyes running back L.J. Phillips Jr. (21) during the second half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
(David Banks, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
