IOWA CITY, Iowa (Ticker) -- Fred Russell ran for 167 yards and a touchdown as 25th-ranked Iowa coasted to a 21-3 victory over Miami of Ohio in the season opener for both schools.
Russell carried 22 times as Iowa dominated on the ground, outgaining Miami, 232-54. The Hawkeyes have had a 100-yard rusher in 11 of their last 14 games, with Russell accomplishing the feat 10 times.
Senior Nathan Chandler, taking over for the departed Brad Banks, had an efficient game in his first career start for Iowa (1-0). The 6-7, 250-pounder completed 12-of-19 passes for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"The one thing that I was really proud of today was I felt that we really came together as a team," Chandler said. "I think we were all there for one another and rooting each other on. Through all the ups and downs of the game, everyone was supporting each other."
Iowa improved to 12-1 all time against schools from the Mid-American Conference. The Hawkeyes opened last season with a romp over another MAC school, Akron, before getting past Miami, 29-24.
"We are extremely pleased how we played today," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "We had some concerns coming in, but we played very well. Give Miami a tremendous amount of respect, they are a good football team. We played hard and very physical today. We played as a team and I am very pleased about that."
Jared Parseghian, the great grandnephew of former Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian, kicked a 21-yard field goal to give Miami a 3-0 lead with 5:28 remaining in the opening quarter. But the RedHawks generated little offense thereafter.
Miami (0-1) was held to 54 yards on 29 carries and dropped to 12-34-2 all time against Big Ten Conference foes.
"We fully expected to win this game," Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. "We're all surprised. Of course, I'm sure Iowa expected to win too."
Chandler completed his first eight passes, including a seven-yard touchdown reception by fullback Aaron Mickens that gave the Hawkeyes a 7-3 lead as time expired in the first quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Miami drove to the Iowa 30, but safety Chris Smith intercepted Ben Roethlisberger's pass at the 3.
Roethlisberger was 27-of-42 for 250 yards, but was intercepted four times and sacked another four times. He drove the RedHawks to the Iowa 3 with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, but was intercepted by cornerback Javon Johnson in the end zone.
"We moved the ball, but we didn't make the plays," Hoeppner added. "As a team, we didn't execute. We didn't play well enough to win today."
Johnson had a 20-yard interception return to the Miami 1 late in the second quarter and after getting stopped on his first carry, Russell burst through left tackle on second down to give the Hawkeyes a 14-3 advantage 15 seconds before halftime.
Chandler capped an eight-play, 68-yard drive with a 28-yard pass to Maurice Brown for the final margin 4:17 into the fourth.
