IOWA CITY—Iowa tried a fake field goal for what felt like the first time in years.It didn’t work.The crowd cheered anyway.A frustrated fan base desperate for change got it during an impressive opener for the Hawkeyes.C.J. Beathard threw for 211 yards and a touchdown in his first career start at Kinnick Stadium and Iowa pounded Illinois State 31-14 on Saturday.Beathard was 15 of 24 passing and also ran for two touchdowns, and LeShun Daniels, Jr. had a career-high 123 yards rushing for the Hawkeyes.
”After all the speculation of how this was going to be, we went out there and proved that we’re going to run the ball. We’re going to do what we do,” Beathard said. ”A great way to start the season.”

Iowa never let ISU, the second-ranked team in the FCS, entertain thoughts of an upset. It raced out to a 17-0 halftime lead and pushed it to 31-0 on Beathard’s 1-yard plunge midway through the fourth quarter.Jake Kolbe had 147 yards passing and two meaningless late TDs for Illinois State. Star quarterback Tre Roberson threw for just 49 yards while battling cramps.