2022 Outlook for the Iowa Hawkeyes Football Team

Introduction to Iowa Hawkeyes Football

The Iowa Hawkeyes football team represents the University of Iowa in college football. They compete in the Big Ten Conference which is part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Hawkeyes have played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City since 1929.

The Hawkeyes have a long and storied football history going back to 1889. They have won 11 Big Ten Conference championships and have had five undefeated seasons. Some of their key rivalries include the Iowa-Minnesota rivalry trophy game for Floyd of Rosedale, and the Iowa-Nebraska Heroes Game.

History and Traditions

The Iowa Hawkeyes originally played as an independent team until joining the Western Conference, which is now known as the Big Ten, in 1899. In the early years they played against local teams like Coe College and Iowa State before expanding their schedule.

Some of the early standout Hawkeye players were Aubrey Devine, Duke Slater, Gordon Locke, Nile Kinnick, and Cal Jones. Kinnick won the Heisman Trophy in 1939 and the stadium was renamed Kinnick Stadium in his honor in 1972.

The Hawkeyes claim a share of the 1921 and 1922 Western Conference championships and the 1956 Big Ten title. They have also won Big Ten championships in 1960, 1981, 1985, 1990, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2015.

Long-standing traditions for the team include being led onto the field by the Spirit Squad carrying the Iowa flag, and at the end of the first quarter the band plays the "Iowa Fight Song" while the fans wave their gold and black pom poms.

Top Players and Coaches

Hayden Fry coached the Hawkeyes for 20 seasons from 1979 to 1998, leading them to 14 bowl games. Under Fry the Hawkeyes won three Big Ten titles.

Kirk Ferentz has been the head coach since 1999 and is the longest tenured FBS head coach. Under Ferentz, Iowa has played in 16 bowl games, including two Orange Bowls and a Rose Bowl.

Notable former Hawkeye players in the NFL include Chuck Hartlieb, Bob Jeter, Dan McGwire, Tim Dwight, Robert Gallery, Bob Sanders, Bryan Bulaga, and George Kittle. Tight end T.J. Hockenson was selected 8th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Current standouts playing for the Hawkeyes include center Tyler Linderbaum, quarterback Spencer Petras, and defensive back Riley Moss. Running back Tyler Goodson and linebacker Jack Campbell are key players on offense and defense.

Recent Seasons and Bowl Games

The Hawkeyes have won at least seven games each season since 2001, demonstrating their consistency and stability as a program.

In 2015 they went 12-0 in the regular season and reached the Big Ten Championship Game before losing to Michigan State 16-13. They played in the 2016 Rose Bowl Game, falling 45-16 to Stanford.

Iowa has appeared in a bowl game in five consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2020. During that stretch they played in the Outback Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, Holiday Bowl, and Music City Bowl twice.

In 2021, the Hawkeyes started the season strong, rising to #2 in the AP Poll after a 6-0 start. They finished 10-4 overall and lost to Kentucky in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl 20-17 on a last second field goal.

2022 Outlook and Expectations

Iowa will look to build on the success of the 2021 season when they posted their third straight top 20 finish. While they have lost some key players to the NFL, expectations are still high.

At quarterback, Spencer Petras returns for his third season as the starter. He will try to bounce back from an inconsistent 2021 season where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns.

The defense should still be stout, led by linebacker Jack Campbell. The unit will aim to match the success of last season when they allowed under 17 points per game.

The schedule features challenging conference games against Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. Key non-conference matchups are against Iowa State and Nevada.

The Hawkeyes will try to defend their Big Ten West title and return to the conference championship game. Another double digit win season and January bowl game are reasonable goals for Iowa in 2022.

Outlook for Kinnick Stadium Gamedays

Gamedays in Iowa City at Kinnick Stadium are a fantastic experience for Hawkeye fans. The 69,250 seat stadium has been sold out for every game since the 2014 season.

Fans arrive early for tailgating in the parking lots around the stadium. Popular spots include the Hayden Fry lot by the Iowa River and the RV lots on the west side.

Hawkeye gamedays have a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Before kickoff, the players walk down the Hillcrest dorm hill and enter the stadium to swarming fans cheering them on.

The crowd gets loud when the opponents face third down, waving their gold pom poms to distract them. At the end of the first quarter, the whole stadium sways and chants along to "In Heaven There is No Beer."

After big plays, the fans celebrate by doing the Iowa Wave around the entire stadium. Overall, Hawkeye home games feature a memorable atmosphere with passionate fans that make Kinnick Stadium an incredible place to watch football.

Conclusion

With a loyal fanbase and storied history, Iowa Hawkeye football is a historic Big Ten program. Fans will be cheering on the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium this fall as the team seeks another successful season and bowl game.

The Hawkeyes have a reputation for hard-nosed physical football and developing players. Led by veteran coach Kirk Ferentz, Iowa will look to contend for another conference championship.

Hawkeye fans across the state of Iowa and beyond will be sporting their black and gold gear each Saturday. They hope this is another memorable season of Iowa football full of upsets, big wins, and black and gold pride.

FAQs

Who is the current head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes?

The current head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes is Kirk Ferentz. He has held the position since 1999, making him the longest tenured head coach in college football.

How many national championships have the Hawkeyes won?

The Iowa Hawkeyes have won one consensus national championship in football. That came in 1958 under head coach Forest Evashevski when they finished the season 8-1-1.

What is the name of the Iowa Hawkeyes' football stadium?

The Hawkeyes play their home games at Kinnick Stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa. The stadium opened in 1929 and currently has a capacity of 69,250 people.

Who is Iowa's biggest football rival?

Iowa's biggest rival is the Iowa State Cyclones. They play each other annually for the Cy-Hawk Trophy in the hotly contested in-state rivalry game.

What conference do the Hawkeyes play in?

The Iowa Hawkeyes are members of the Big Ten Conference. They joined the conference in 1899 and have won 11 Big Ten football championships.