The Iowa Hawkeye’s offensive machine hit on all cylinders of the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday afternoon en route to a 63-20 victory.

Iowa wide receiver Tim Dwight, hyped as a pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate, caught eight passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns in his first big game of the season.

After the pre-season publicity, Iowa’s first two opponents, Northern Iowa and Tulsa, keyed on Dwight, allowing Hawkeye running back Tavian Banks to run his way into the Heisman race.

The ISU defense focused its efforts on containing Banks, allowing Iowa’s passing attack to open up.

Iowa coach Hayden Fry said ISU’s defense helped Dwight to have a break-out game.

“We finally found somebody that thought they could single-cover Tim Dwight, and you see what happened,” he said.

Dwight said, “I just got open today. It just kind of happened to be my day today.”

ISU’s plan to stop Banks did not exactly work as planned either. Banks rushed 20 times for 127 yards and four touchdowns, including an 82-yard touchdown run on the game’s second play from scrimmage.

In all, the Hawkeyes gained 575 yards of total offense against a Cyclone defense has allowed 56, 53 and 63 points respectively, in its last three games.

“I’m very happy, we’re very diversified with our offense. We have excellent ability. We can move the ball around either running or throwing,” Fry said.

Iowa has amassed a startling average of 61 points per game in its first three games.

“This is the most points [of] any team I’ve ever had score in the first three ballgames, that’s for sure,” Fry said.

Hawkeye quarterback Matt Sherman completed 17 of 25 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

“I was extremely proud of Sherman. We upgraded our passing game tremendously,” Fry said.

Sherman said Iowa’s offense will be hard to contain this season. “We’ve got a lot of weapons, a lot of tools,” he said.

However, not everything smelled like “Roses” for the Hawkeyes after the game.

Fry said he viewed the results of the game “with mixed emotions.”

“We are very happy with a victory in scoring 63 points, but we lost three real fine players in the process,” Fry said.

Linebacker Vernon Rollins, split end Richard Carter and defensive tackle Jon LaFluer suffered knee injuries during the win. Rollins tore his knee, and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Fry said the team accomplished all of its goals in the pre-season, and is prepared to start its Big 10 Conference schedule.

Iowa’s three non-conference routs have allowed the team a chance to play many young Hawkeyes and should help them overcome the key injuries.

Dwight, a senior, said completing the sweep of ISU during his four-year career was important.

“I didn’t want to be the first one to lose in fifteen years. It feels good to come over here and win,” he said.

Dwight also said the game was special because it was Fry’s 400th of his career. After the game, Hawkeye team captains presented their coach with the game ball.

“It feels great to [play] and be part of it,” Dwight said.

For Fry, the big victory over intrastate rival ISU was rewarding.

“I never dreamed I’d coach 400 games and get 63 points in the process,” Fry said.