Wisconsin vs. Iowa Football 2026: Score and Recap
Follow Wisconsin vs. Iowa football on Oct. 31, 2026, including verified score updates, key plays, the Heartland Trophy, and a game recap.
Wisconsin vs. Iowa Football 2026: Final Score and Game Recap
Iowa 30, Wisconsin 0 | October 31, 2026 | Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
Iowa shut out No. 25 Wisconsin 30-0 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes took control early, led 20-0 at halftime and held the Badgers scoreless in the 100th meeting of the Heartland Trophy rivalry. Iowa improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play; Wisconsin fell to 5-3 and 3-2.
Final score and scoring by quarter
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iowa | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 30 |
The final score reflects a complete team effort rather than a single explosive stretch. Iowa scored 10 points in each of the first three quarters, kept possession for more than 36 minutes and prevented Wisconsin from finishing its best drives.
How Iowa built the 30-0 lead
Iowa opened with a sustained possession that ended in a 24-yard field goal by Caden Buhr. Later in the first quarter, quarterback Hank Brown connected with tight end DJ Vonnahme for a four-yard touchdown pass. That early 10-0 advantage forced Wisconsin to chase the game against a defense that was difficult to move consistently.
The Hawkeyes added a four-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Tony Diaz in the second quarter. The scoring play finished a 98-yard drive, showing that Iowa could create offense even when backed up near its own goal line. Buhr made a 28-yard field goal before halftime, extending the margin to 20-0.
In the third quarter, Vonnahme added a two-yard rushing touchdown. Buhr then converted a 54-yard field goal, his longest successful kick of the afternoon, to complete the scoring at 30-0. Neither team scored in the final period.
The turning point for Wisconsin
Wisconsin had a genuine opportunity to get back into the contest before halftime. Colton Joseph found Jaylon Domingeaux for a 41-yard gain on a drive that pushed the Badgers deep into Iowa territory. But Wisconsin could not convert near the goal line and turned the ball over on downs. Losing that opportunity preserved Iowa’s momentum and made the deficit harder to overcome.
Turnovers also mattered. Wisconsin gave the ball away three times while Iowa committed one turnover. The Badgers finished with only 52 rushing yards and nine first downs, leaving them with limited ways to sustain drives and relieve pressure on their quarterbacks.
Team statistics that explain the result
| Statistic | Wisconsin | Iowa |
| Total yards | 235 | 362 |
| Passing yards | 183 | 222 |
| Rushing yards | 52 | 140 |
| First downs | 9 | 20 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 23:39 | 36:21 |
Hank Brown completed 20 of 24 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa distributed its production among several receivers, while tight end DJ Vonnahme contributed a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown. For Wisconsin, Jaylon Domingeaux led the receivers with six catches for 86 yards, and linebacker Cooper Catalano recorded 16 tackles.
What the result means for the Heartland Trophy rivalry
The shutout followed Iowa’s 37-0 victory over Wisconsin in 2025. Saturday’s result extended Iowa’s winning streak in the series to five games, a meaningful change in a rivalry that was historically close. Wisconsin’s next scheduled game was at home against Rutgers on November 7, making its response after the loss an immediate storyline.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Wisconsin vs. Iowa football in 2026?
Iowa won 30-0 at Kinnick Stadium on October 31, 2026.
What was the halftime score?
Iowa led Wisconsin 20-0 after the second quarter.
How many passing touchdowns did Hank Brown throw?
Brown threw two touchdown passes, one to DJ Vonnahme and one to Tony Diaz.
Related coverage: Iowa vs. Wisconsin player stats | TV and kickoff information