The Hawkeyes rallied from a 17-9 deficit to defeat Northern Illinois.CHICAGO (AP) -
Damon Bullock ran for 150 yards and scored on a late 23-yard touchdown run to lead Iowa to an 18-17 victory over Northern Illinois in the season opener on Saturday.
The Hawkeyes simply got all they could handle from the reigning Mid-American Conference champions but came out on top after trailing most of the way.
They were down 17-12 when Bullock ran untouched around the left end to put them ahead by one. That happened after Iowa downed a punt at the NIU 1, pinning the Huskies against the goal line.
Rather than take a safety, Northern Illinois punted. Iowa took over on the 24 and Bullock ran it in on third down. The 2-point conversation failed, but the defense held its ground, giving Iowa a tense victory at Soldier Field.
AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Steele Jantz threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score as Iowa State beat Tulsa 38-23 Saturday to win its ninth opener in 10 years.
Shontrelle Johnson added a career-high 120 yards rushing for the Cyclones, who scored 24 straight points and held off a late rally by the Golden Hurricane.
Jantz threw and ran for second-quarter touchdowns to help Iowa State move ahead 24-16 at halftime.
Cody Green's 3-yard touchdown pass to Keyarris Garrett brought Tulsa within 31-23 in the fourth quarter. But the Golden Hurricane's final drive fizzled when Deon Broomfield intercepted Green with 2:04 left.
Johnson's 5-yard TD run on the next play sealed the win for Iowa State.
Green had 198 yards passing and two touchdowns in his first career start for Tulsa.
