The University of Iowa's football team, the Hawkeyes, competes in the Big Ten Conference West division. They became a member of the Conference in 1899 and have been playing in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision ever since. Their home games are held at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Kirk Ferentz, the team's current coach, has been with the Hawkeyes for 25 seasons, making him the NCAA Division I FBS's longest-tenured head coach. The Hawkeyes have won 13 conference titles and have been ranked first in the AP and Coaches Poll 15 times.
In 1900, the Iowa Hawkeyes football team, after completing an undefeated season as an independent, received and accepted an invitation to join the Western Conference (now known as the Big Ten Conference).
In their inaugural season in the Western Conference, the Iowa Hawkeyes achieved an undefeated record, securing a share of the conference title in 1900.
Iowa became a member of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA) in 1907, marking a significant moment in their athletic history.
After several years as a member, Iowa's time in the MVIAA lasted until 1911.
The 1921 season marked the first time the Iowa Hawkeyes were selected national champions by NCAA-designated major selectors.
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team clinched consecutive Big Ten Conference championships in 1921 and 1922, earning national championship recognition for their exceptional performance during those seasons.
For the second consecutive year, Iowa was recognized as national champions in 1922 by NCAA-designated major selectors.
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team clinched consecutive Big Ten Conference championships in 1921 and 1922, earning national championship recognition for their exceptional performance during those seasons.
In 1928, the MVIAA underwent a major change, splitting into the Big Six and the Missouri Valley Conference, each claiming the shared history from 1907.
The Big Ten Conference made the decision to expel the University of Iowa on May 25, 1929. While no official reasons were provided, suspicions and allegations of player compensation and the university's perceived inaction in addressing ethical concerns seem to have been contributing factors.
In the context of alleged compensation issues, the University of Iowa took the significant step of disqualifying 27 players on December 11, 1929. This action was likely influenced by the ongoing situation with the Big Ten Conference, which had expelled Iowa earlier that year.
Iowa Stadium, the future home of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team, opened in 1929. Before its construction, the Hawkeyes played their home games at Iowa Field. This marked a significant milestone in the history of the program.
After a period of suspension, the Big Ten Conference's faculty committee unanimously voted to reinstate the University of Iowa on February 1, 1930.
After the 1934 season, the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry was put on hold, marking a pause in the series between the two schools.
The Associated Press (AP) poll, a major college football ranking system, was first introduced in 1936.
Nile Kinnick etched his name into Iowa Hawkeyes football history by becoming the program's first and only Heisman Trophy winner in 1939. His exceptional performance and contributions to the sport left an indelible mark on the university.
Under the leadership of their new coach, Eddie Anderson, the 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes football team, nicknamed the "Ironmen," exceeded expectations with a remarkable season. They achieved upset victories and climbed the national rankings. Nile Kinnick, the team's MVP, earned national recognition, including the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
In 1945, Eddie Anderson's service in World War II concluded, marking the end of his temporary absence from coaching.
Forest Evashevski was appointed as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team in 1952, marking the beginning of a successful era for the program.
On November 21, 1953, the undefeated and No. 1 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish hosted the Iowa Hawkeyes in a game that would become infamous. The game, tied 14-14, was marred by controversy when Notre Dame tackle Frank Varrichione appeared to fake injuries on two separate occasions late in the game, stopping the clock and allowing his team to score a game-tying touchdown as time expired. The incident sparked outrage and led to accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct against Notre Dame, who became known as the "Fainting Irish." The controversy even prompted a rule change by the NCAA requiring players to sit out at least one play after returning from an injury. Despite the contentious finish, the game propelled the Hawkeyes, who were ranked No. 20 before the game, to a No. 9 ranking.
In 1955, Calvin Jones, under the guidance of Coach Evashevski, etched his name in Iowa Hawkeyes football history by becoming the first Hawkeye, as well as the first African-American, to receive the prestigious Outland Trophy.
From 1956 to 1960, Coach Forest Evashevski led the Iowa Hawkeyes to a period of remarkable success, consistently placing them among the nation's elite. They secured top-five finishes in the national rankings and captured three Big Ten Conference titles during this era.
Iowa earned their third national championship title in 1956, solidifying their place in college football history.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, under the leadership of Coach Evashevski, achieved significant victories in the Rose Bowl in 1957 and 1959, solidifying their status as a national football powerhouse during that era.
In 1958, the Iowa Hawkeyes finished their regular season with a strong 7-1-1 record, securing the No. 2 ranking in major polls.
The 1958 season saw Iowa clinch their fourth national championship, a testament to their dominance in the sport.
The pinnacle of Forest Evashevski's tenure as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes arrived in 1958 when they were crowned national champions by the FWAA.
In 1959, the No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes secured a resounding victory in the Rose Bowl, defeating the California Golden Bears by a score of 38-12. The win capped off an impressive 8-1-1 season for the Hawkeyes and earned them the prestigious Grantland Rice Trophy, awarded by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to the national champion.
On January 1, 1959, Iowa delivered a dominant performance in the Rose Bowl, defeating California 38-12 and setting multiple Rose Bowl records.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, under the leadership of Coach Evashevski, achieved significant victories in the Rose Bowl in 1957 and 1959, solidifying their status as a national football powerhouse during that era.
From 1956 to 1960, Coach Forest Evashevski led the Iowa Hawkeyes to a period of remarkable success, consistently placing them among the nation's elite. They secured top-five finishes in the national rankings and captured three Big Ten Conference titles during this era.
Iowa achieved their fifth national championship in 1960, marking a period of remarkable success for the program.
The 1960 Iowa Hawkeyes football season is often referred to as the "Forgotten Season." Despite holding the No. 1 ranking for a significant portion of the season, defeating several top-ranked opponents, sharing the Big Ten title with Minnesota, and finishing with top-three rankings in both major polls, they were not invited to a bowl game due to the Big Ten's restrictive policies at the time. Minnesota went on to win the national championship.
Following the departure of Forest Evashevski, the Iowa Hawkeyes football program experienced a downturn in fortunes that lasted for two decades. Jerry Burns's tenure as head coach from 1961 to 1965 saw a 16-27-2 record, with their first team's 5-4 finish marking their last winning season for 20 years.
The 1961 season marked a turning point for the Iowa Hawkeyes football program as they achieved their first winning season since 1961. The team's success was fueled by key victories over tough opponents like UCLA, Michigan, and Purdue, demonstrating their newfound strength and competitiveness.
From 1962 to 1980, the Iowa Hawkeyes football program faced significant challenges, with only a few seasons yielding non-losing records. This period marked a stark contrast to the program's earlier successes.
During a challenging period for Iowa Hawkeyes football, they managed a 3-3-2 record in 1963 and back-to-back 5-5 records in 1968 and 1969, offering glimpses of their potential for success.
Following the departure of Forest Evashevski, the Iowa Hawkeyes football program experienced a downturn in fortunes that lasted for two decades. Jerry Burns's tenure as head coach from 1961 to 1965 saw a 16-27-2 record, with their first team's 5-4 finish marking their last winning season for 20 years.
Ray Nagel's time as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1966 to 1970 continued the program's struggles, resulting in a 16-32-2 record.
During a challenging period for Iowa Hawkeyes football, they managed a 3-3-2 record in 1963 and back-to-back 5-5 records in 1968 and 1969, offering glimpses of their potential for success.
During a challenging period for Iowa Hawkeyes football, they managed a 3-3-2 record in 1963 and back-to-back 5-5 records in 1968 and 1969, offering glimpses of their potential for success.
Ray Nagel's time as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1966 to 1970 continued the program's struggles, resulting in a 16-32-2 record.
Frank Lauterbur's time as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1971 to 1973 proved to be a challenging chapter in the program's history, marked by a 4-28-1 record, including a winless season in 1973.
In 1972, Iowa Stadium was renamed Nile Kinnick Stadium to honor Nile Kinnick, the university's only Heisman Trophy winner. Kinnick, a standout player who won the prestigious award in 1939, tragically died in service during World War II. The renaming of the stadium served as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
Frank Lauterbur's time as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1971 to 1973 proved to be a challenging chapter in the program's history, marked by a 4-28-1 record, including a winless season in 1973.
The Iowa Hawkeyes delivered a dominant defensive performance in a game against the Nebraska Huskers in 1973. The Hawkeyes held the Huskers scoreless for three quarters, a feat Nebraska hadn't experienced since 1973. Iowa's strong defense, combined with impressive punting by Reggie Roby, kept Nebraska's offense stifled for much of the game.
Bob Commings assumed the head coaching role for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team in 1974, beginning a tenure that lasted until 1978.
Bob Commings assumed the head coaching role for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team in 1974, beginning a tenure that lasted until 1978.
Following a challenging period, Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry was appointed as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes football program after the 1978 season, tasked with revitalizing the team's fortunes. His arrival marked the beginning of a transformative era for Iowa football.
Iowa's streak of having at least one player drafted in the NFL Draft every year began in 1978.
In 1979, Coach Hayden Fry played a pivotal role in the creation of the Tiger Hawk logo, now an iconic symbol of Iowa Hawkeyes football.
From 1962 to 1980, the Iowa Hawkeyes football program faced significant challenges, with only a few seasons yielding non-losing records. This period marked a stark contrast to the program's earlier successes.
Since 1981, the Iowa Hawkeyes have made numerous appearances in bowl games, highlighting their consistent success on the field.
Ron Stewart, a former Polk County deputy sheriff, began volunteering his time to provide security for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team in 1982. His commitment to the team would span over three decades, ending in 2014.
On October 19, 1985, the top-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes faced off against the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines in a highly anticipated matchup. Iowa emerged victorious in a low-scoring affair, winning 12-10. The game was significant not only for its impact on the national rankings but also because it was part of a rare day in college football history when the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 teams all lost.
In 1985, the Iowa Hawkeyes football team introduced a gold disk helmet sticker with the black letters "ANF," which stands for "America Needs Farmers." This marked the beginning of the team's tradition of wearing helmet stickers to represent various causes and individuals.
The 1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team, under the leadership of Hayden Fry, achieved a school-record 10 wins and secured the program's first outright Big Ten title in 27 years. Their exceptional performance earned them a No. 1 ranking in both major polls for a significant portion of the season, a feat not accomplished in decades.
Hayden Fry guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to three Big Ten titles, securing one outright championship and two shared titles, during his tenure as head coach. He also led them to 14 bowl game appearances, including two Rose Bowls in 1986 and 1991.
In a game widely regarded as one of the greatest ever played at Kinnick Stadium, the Iowa Hawkeyes pulled off a thrilling last-second victory against the Michigan Wolverines in 1986. Trailing 10-9 with time winding down, the Hawkeyes embarked on a clutch drive led by All-American quarterback Chuck Long. With the clock expiring, kicker Rob Houghtlin nailed a game-winning field goal, securing a memorable win for Iowa and propelling them to a Rose Bowl berth.
Hayden Fry guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to three Big Ten titles, securing one outright championship and two shared titles, during his tenure as head coach. He also led them to 14 bowl game appearances, including two Rose Bowls in 1986 and 1991.
In 1992, the NCAA implemented a rule requiring teams to remove what they deemed as "excessive" helmet decals. This rule led to the temporary removal of the Iowa Hawkeyes' "ANF" sticker, which had been in place since 1985.
After a long and successful tenure, Hayden Fry decided to retire from coaching in 1998, leaving behind a lasting legacy at the University of Iowa. He handed over the reins of the Hawkeyes football program to his former assistant, Kirk Ferentz.
Kirk Ferentz took over as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes football program following Hayden Fry's retirement after the 1998 season. Ferentz's tenure has been marked by consistent success and numerous bowl appearances.
Kirk Ferentz led the Iowa Hawkeyes to an impressive three consecutive top-10 finishes in the national rankings from 2002 to 2004, quickly establishing himself as a successful successor to Hayden Fry. They achieved the No. 8 ranking in 2002, 2003, and 2004, marking a return to national prominence for the program.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, under Kirk Ferentz's leadership, have been invited to 19 bowl games in the past 21 seasons and have participated in 33 bowl games in the last 40 seasons, highlighting their consistent success on the field. Notably, they have made two appearances in the Orange Bowl, in 2003 and 2010.
Kirk Ferentz led the Iowa Hawkeyes to an impressive three consecutive top-10 finishes in the national rankings from 2002 to 2004, quickly establishing himself as a successful successor to Hayden Fry. They achieved the No. 8 ranking in 2002, 2003, and 2004, marking a return to national prominence for the program.
The Heartland Trophy, contested between Iowa and Wisconsin, was first introduced in 2004 to add another layer of competition to their long-standing rivalry.
Since 2008, the Iowa Hawkeyes have established a formidable home record against top-10 ranked teams, boasting a 5-1 record. Their only loss during this span came in 2017 against Penn State, a heartbreaker decided by a touchdown pass as time expired.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 20 ranking in 2008, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
In a stunning upset, the Iowa Hawkeyes handed the undefeated and No. 3 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions their only loss of the 2009 season. The Hawkeyes, coming off a disappointing loss to Illinois, rallied to defeat the heavily favored Nittany Lions with a last-second field goal by Daniel Murray. The victory, sparked by a crucial interception by Tyler Sash, marked the beginning of a 13-game winning streak for Iowa that extended into the following season.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 7 ranking in 2009, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
Upon his return as head coach in 2009, Kirk Ferentz reinstated the "ANF" helmet sticker that had been absent since the NCAA's 1992 ruling. The sticker has remained a fixture on the Hawkeyes' helmets ever since.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, under Kirk Ferentz's leadership, have been invited to 19 bowl games in the past 21 seasons and have participated in 33 bowl games in the last 40 seasons, highlighting their consistent success on the field. Notably, they have made two appearances in the Orange Bowl, in 2003 and 2010.
Damon Bullock joined the Iowa Hawkeyes football team in 2011. He would go on to wear the number 5 jersey during his time with the team, from 2011 to 2014.
With Nebraska joining the Big Ten Conference in 2011, the Heroes Trophy was introduced to commemorate the new conference rivalry between Iowa and Nebraska.
Iowa introduced the Kinnick Stadium Wall of Honor in 2013 to recognize outstanding players.
After 32 years of dedicated service, Ron Stewart concluded his tenure as a volunteer security officer for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team in 2014. His commitment and contributions to the team were widely recognized and appreciated.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, which determine the top teams in college football, were introduced in 2014.
The Iowa Hawkeyes mourned the loss of former safety and NFL veteran Tyler Sash, who passed away on this date.
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award in 2015.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 9 ranking in 2015, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
On October 9, 2016, the Iowa Hawkeyes football team began wearing a special helmet decal to honor Ron Stewart, a former Polk County deputy sheriff who passed away at the age of 76. Stewart had volunteered as security for the team at home and away games for over 30 years, from 1982 to 2014. The decal, worn on the back of the helmets for the remainder of the season, featured Stewart's initials, "RS," within a sheriff's badge.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, under Kirk Ferentz's leadership, have been invited to 19 bowl games in the past 21 seasons and have participated in 33 bowl games in the last 40 seasons, highlighting their consistent success on the field. Notably, they have made two appearances in the Orange Bowl, in 2003 and 2010.
The first "Wave" at Kinnick Stadium, where fans wave to patients at the adjacent children's hospital at the end of the first quarter, took place on September 23, 2017, during a game against Penn State.
On November 20, 2017, Disney Sports announced that the Iowa Hawkeyes football program would receive the Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award for "The Wave."
The Hawkeyes were presented with the Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award on ESPN on December 7, 2017.
In 2017, the Penn State Nittany Lions put an end to Iowa's impressive home winning streak against top-10 ranked opponents. The Nittany Lions escaped with a narrow victory, scoring a game-winning touchdown as time expired to hand the Hawkeyes their first home loss to a top-10 team since 2008.
On February 15, 2018, the Kinnick Stadium maintenance crew created a snow pattern of a waving hand on the field as a gesture to the children's hospital.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 25 ranking in 2018, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
In March 2019, former Iowa Hawkeye football player Damon Bullock tragically passed away at the age of 25. To honor his memory during the 2019 season opener, the Hawkeyes wore a special helmet decal. The decal, a gold circle with black lettering, read "DB5" in recognition of Bullock's playing number from 2011 to 2014. In addition to the "DB5" emblem, the team also wore a gold graduation cap on their helmets to celebrate their recent graduates.
During the 2019 Holiday Bowl, Iowa paid their respects to legendary coach Hayden Fry, who had recently passed away, by removing the Tiger Hawk logo from their helmets.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 15 ranking in 2019, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
As of the 2020 NFL Draft, 294 Iowa players had been drafted into professional football leagues.
In 2020, Iowa was set to participate in the Music City Bowl, but the game was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the opposing team.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 16 ranking in 2020, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
The Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa has been marked by consistent success, with the Hawkeyes finishing in the Top 25 of the national rankings ten times. They achieved a No. 23 ranking in 2021, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
Iowa Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker received the Broyles Award in 2023.
Under Kirk Ferentz, the Iowa Hawkeyes have established themselves as a force in the Big Ten West division, clinching the division title three times in recent years—in 2015, 2021, and 2023—demonstrating their consistent competitiveness.
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