No. 23 Iowa holds off Purdue 26-20

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa's defense might be as good as any in America. The Hawkeyes' offense is lagging way behind though, and that inconsistency is threatening to submarine their season. Mekhi Sargent ran for a 14-yard score with 2:16 left and 23rd-ranked Iowa held off Purdue 26-20 on Saturday, snapping a two-game losing streak. Tyler Goodson scored his first career touchdown from a yard out and Keith Duncan kicked four field goals for the Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten), who also broke a two-game skid against the Boilermakers (2-5, 1-3). "Really happy with the level of effort and perseverance," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "Obviously we're still working on finding a better rhythm offensively." Purdue made the Hawkeyes -- who entered the game as a 17-point favorite -- earn this one. The Boilermakers cut it to 19-13 on J.D. Dellinger 's 36-yard field goal with 2:59 left.