Updated October 8, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. CT
- The Iowa Hawkeyes have a strong record in Friday night games, winning four of their last five.
- Tight end DJ Vonnahme should be a key offensive player for Iowa after a strong performance against Ohio State.
- Washington quarterback Demond Williams poses a significant threat with both his arm and his legs.
As Iowa football fans are understandably nervous about their team traveling to the Pacific time zone for a Friday night game at Washington, some relevant historical events may be overlooked.
Believe it or not, the Hawkeyes have won four of their last five Friday night games, all of which came during shortened preparation weeks. Three of those wins came on the road – 38-28 at Rutgers in 2025, 51-14 at Maryland in 2021 and 35-7 at Minnesota in 2020.
And if you really want to go down in history, Iowa’s 2019 Holiday Bowl rout against USC (49-24) took place in California. And on a Friday evening. (Granted, this wasn’t a short warm-up match…but it’s not like Kirk Ferentz never won on the West Coast.)
So, the Hawkeyes are known for handling business well on Friday nights. Not always, as evidenced by the 2024 defeat at UCLA (20-17), but typically.
Fifth-year senior captain Deshaun Lee knows what needs to be done as Iowa prepares for an Oct. 9 showdown at Washington, the Hawkeyes’ first trip to Husky Stadium in 63 years. He was inside the Hansen Football Performance Center for most of the week, whether he was eating, working out, rehabbing a hip injury or watching tons of Huskies film.
“You can’t just roll out of bed and win a game,” Lee said. “It’s going to take a lot of focus throughout the week. It’s going to take a lot of effort. It’s also going to take the right mental approach. The guys understand that. We’re up for the challenge.”
Besides a professional approach, there’s another thing the Hawkeyes bring to Seattle that can be very helpful.
DJ Vonnahme.
One development lost in the battle in Oct. 3’s 31-14 loss to Ohio State was that the Hawkeyes’ star tight end looked like himself after being injured the previous three weeks. Vonnahme caught a team-high six balls for 64 yards against the Buckeyes and saw another 9-yard reception wiped out by a costly illegal formation penalty.
When Iowa can get Vonnahme rolling, its offense usually follows. (Ohio State was just too much on the other side of the ball Saturday, limiting the Iowa offense to just 22 minutes of time of possession.) The future NFL tight end has racked up 19 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns in the Hawkeyes’ final five games in 2025.
With receivers Tony Diaz (25 catches, team-high 306 yards) and Reece Vander Zee (two Michigan touchdowns and growing) catching the attention of defenses, Vonnahme could feast on more than fresh seafood on his trip to the Pacific Northwest.
“You see, especially against Ohio State, the confidence he has as a player,” Iowa quarterback Hank Brown said. “I think that’s his gift, is being able to be smart. He’s a really smart player, and to have confidence in the decisions he makes and in us to be able to be on the same page as him.
“For him to be able to go out there and execute and get back to where we know he can, I think, is huge and adds a whole new level to this offense.”
If Brown (shoulder sprain) is unable to play as Ferentz indicated this week, it will be Jeremy Hecklinski at quarterback for the Hawkeyes with Jimmy Sullivan as backup.
Remember, Hecklinski hit Vonnahme for two long touchdown passes during Iowa’s Children’s Day open practice at Kinnick on August 15. And on Hecklinski’s touchdown against Ohio State, who was the first player he targeted? You know it: Vonnahme, for a gain of 15 yards on third and second. The tight end and QB were on the same page.
Washington plays softer defense on the back end to fend off big plays. This can open up the middle of the field for teams willing to accept short passes and remain patient. This seems like a perfect week for Vonnahme to run through the middle of Washington’s defense and land his first touchdown of 2026. And for Hecklinski to stay healthy.
Chad Leistikow’s Iowa vs. Washington Football Game Prediction
No. 18 Iowa (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) at Washington (3-2, 0-2)
Time, TV, line: October 9 at 8 p.m. CT, FOX, Washington by 3 points
Where Iowa has the advantage: The Hawkeyes are coming off a four-sack game against Ohio State and are facing a Washington offensive line that gave up 15 sacks. … Iowa’s defense can leave the field more frequently against a Huskies offense that converts just 29 percent of third downs. … The Hawkeyes have been great on special teams all year. … LJ Phillips’ restored ankle gives Iowa’s running game some power it sorely lacks.
Where Washington has the advantage: Quarterback Demond Williams (265.4 passing yards per game) might be the best player on both teams, possessing the ability to produce a big play with his arm or legs at any time. He rushed for over 1,000 career yards. … Washington has a plus-5 turnover margin this season. …The Huskies’ run defense allows just 3.2 yards per carry.
Prediction: Iowa 23, Washington 17… After shaking off some early season nerves, Hecklinski puts together an effective night that includes a touchdown against Vonnahme and Caden Buhr scores three big field goals as Iowa reaches its bye week with a 5-1 record.
Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow worked for The Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Sports Network for 32 years. Chad is the 2023 INA Iowa Sportswriter of the Year and the NSMA Iowa Co-Sports Writer of the Year. Join Chad’s texting group at HawkCentral.com/HawkeyesTexts. Follow @ChadLeistikow on.
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