No. 18 Iowa travels to face Washington on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 8 p.m. CT on FOX, looking to lean on a strong historical record in Friday-night games and a re-energized DJ Vonnahme to bounce back from an Ohio State loss.
The Iowa Hawkeyes head to the Pacific Northwest to face Washington at Husky Stadium, marking the program’s first trip to the venue in 63 years, according to reporting by USA Today. Kickoff for the matchup is set for 8 p.m. CT on FOX, with Washington listed as a 3-point favorite.
Iowa enters the contest at 4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Washington stands at 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. According to USA Today, Iowa has won four of its last five Friday-night games, all played on shortened preparation windows. Three of those victories came on the road: 38-28 at Rutgers in 2025, 51-14 at Maryland in 2021, and 35-7 at Minnesota in 2020. The team also routed USC 49-24 in the 2019 Holiday Bowl in California.
DJ Vonnahme Returns to Form in the Middle of the Field
Tight end DJ Vonnahme showed he was fully recovered from an injury that limited him over the previous three weeks during Iowa’s 31-14 loss to Ohio State on October 3, according to USA Today. Vonnahme caught a team-high six passes for 64 yards against the Buckeyes, with an additional 9-yard reception wiped out by an illegal-formation penalty. In the final five games of 2025, the tight end racked up 19 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns.
With wide receivers Tony Diaz, who leads the team with 25 catches for 306 yards, and Reece Vander Zee drawing defensive attention, Vonnahme is positioned to exploit the middle of the field. Washington relies on a softer backend defense designed to prevent big plays, which could open up short-passing opportunities for the Hawkeyes.
You guys see, especially against Ohio State, the confidence he carries as a player,
Iowa quarterback Hank Brown said, according to USA Today. I think that’s his gift, is to be able to be smart. He’s a really smart player, and to be confident in the decisions that he’s making and us to be able to be on the same page as him.
Quarterback Questions and Matchup Advantages at Husky Stadium
Head coach Kirk Ferentz indicated this week that Hank Brown is dealing with a shoulder sprain. If Brown cannot play, Jeremy Hecklinski is expected to start under center, with Jimmy Sullivan serving as the backup, according to USA Today. Hecklinski already showed chemistry with Vonnahme during Iowa’s August 15 open practice and connected with the tight end for a 15-yard gain on third-and-2 against Ohio State.
According to USA Today, Iowa holds an edge after recording four sacks against Ohio State, squaring off against a Washington offensive line that has surrendered 15 sacks this season. The Hawkeyes' defense faces a Huskies offense converting just 29% of third downs, and the return of L.J. Phillips from an ankle injury provides a boost to Iowa’s ground game. For Washington, quarterback Demond Williams presents a dual-threat challenge averaging 265.4 passing yards per game alongside over 1,000 career rushing yards. The Huskies also boast a plus-5 turnover margin and a run defense conceding just 3.2 yards per carry.
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