History and Tradition of Iowa Hawkeye Football Program

Introduction to Iowa Hawkeye Football

The Iowa Hawkeyes football team represents the University of Iowa in college football. They are members of the Big Ten Conference West Division. The Hawkeyes have played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City since 1929. Their all-time record is 646–568–39 (.530).

Some key facts about the Iowa Hawkeyes football program:

• Iowa has won 13 Big Ten Conference championships (the last in 2004 shared with Michigan).
• The Hawkeyes have played in 31 bowl games, with a record of 15–15–1. This includes 8 appearances in the Rose Bowl.
• Iowa's only claim to a national championship came in 1921, when the Hawkeyes finished 7–0 and were retroactively named national champs by the Billingsley Report.
• The Hawkeyes are coached by Kirk Ferentz, who is the longest tenured head coach in college football. He has a career record of 178–110 in 23 seasons at Iowa.
• Iowa has retired the jersey numbers of Nile Kinnick (#24), Chuck Long (#12), Alex Karras (#70), Calvin Jones (#72), Tim Dwight (#7) and Larry Station (#9).
• Some famous Hawkeyes who went on to NFL success include Kinnick, Karras, Long, Bob Jeter, Aaron Kampman, and T.J. Hockenson.

History and Traditions of Iowa Football

The University of Iowa fielded its first football team in 1889. Iowa joined the Big Ten Conference in 1899 and found early success, winning conference championships in 1900, 1921, 1922, 1956, 1958, 1960 and 2004.

One of the most famous figures in Iowa football history is Nile Kinnick. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and delivered the famed "Iowa Cornfield Speech." Kinnick was tragically killed during a training flight while serving in the Navy in World War II. Iowa renamed their stadium Kinnick Stadium in his honor in 1972.

Iowa has several long-standing football traditions:

• The swarm - Iowa fans link arms and encircle the field for the playing of the Iowa Fight Song after every Hawkeye victory.
• ANF - "America Needs Farmers" is painted on the water tower outside the stadium and has become an iconic symbol of the program.
• Hawk Eyes - Iowa fans wave to children in the nearby Stead Family Children’s Hospital after the first quarter.
• The Heartland Trophy - Iowa and Wisconsin battle for this bull trophy, with the Hawkeyes currently holding it after a come from behind victory in 2021.

Iowa has epic rivalries with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa State. They compete annually for the Cy-Hawk Trophy and the Heroes Trophy. Iowa has the upper hand historically in both rivalries.

Memorable Iowa Games and Seasons

Here are some of the most significant games and seasons in Iowa football history:

• 1956 Rose Bowl - Iowa makes their first Rose Bowl appearance ever and loses 35–19 to Oregon State.
• 1959 Rose Bowl - The Hawkeyes return to the Rose Bowl and earn their first bowl victory, defeating California 38–12.
• 1981 Purdue - Iowa knocks off #1 Purdue in a shocking 12–10 upset in Kinnick Stadium.
• 1985 at Michigan - The epic #1 vs #2 showdown between Iowa and Michigan. Iowa wins 12-10 on a last second field goal.
• 2002 Orange Bowl - Iowa caps an improbable 11-2 season under Kirk Ferentz with a 38-17 win over Florida in the Orange Bowl.
• 2004 Big Ten Champions - Iowa goes 10-2 and shares the Big Ten title with Michigan. They play in another Orange Bowl.
• 2009 Orange Bowl - The Hawkeyes return to the Orange Bowl after posting a 9-4 record in 2008.
• 2015 Big Ten West Champions - Iowa goes 12-2 and reaches the Rose Bowl once again, losing a heartbreaker 45-16 to Stanford.

Iowa's Top Players and Coaches

Iowa has produced many standout players over the years. Here are some of the best to ever suit up for the Hawkeyes:

• Nile Kinnick - 1939 Heisman winner, 2x All-American, Maxwell Award, Big Ten MVP
• Chuck Long - 1985 Heisman runner-up, 2x All-American, Maxwell Award
• Tim Dwight - 2x All-American receiver and returner, Big Ten 100th Anniversary Team
• Larry Station - 2x All-American linebacker, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1985)
• Alex Karras - 1957 Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman)
• T.J. Hockenson - 2019 John Mackey Award winner (best TE)

On the sidelines, Iowa has been led by two excellent long-tenured coaches:

• Hayden Fry - 143–89–6 record from 1979-1998, 3x Big Ten Coach of the Year
• Kirk Ferentz - 178–110 record from 1999-present, 4x Big Ten Coach of the Year

Fry and Ferentz have provided stability and leadership, helping transform Iowa into a consistent winner after decades of futility.

Recent Seasons and 2022 Outlook

The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a 10-4 season in 2021 that ended with a 20-17 loss to Kentucky in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl.

Last season, Iowa got off to a fantastic 6-0 start and reached #2 in the AP poll after a dramatic come from behind win over Penn State. However, the offense struggled mightily in the second half of the year. The Hawkeyes relied on their stellar defense, led by AP All-American LBs Jack Campbell and Seth Benson.

In 2022, Iowa faces their usual tough Big Ten West division schedule. They host Wisconsin and Minnesota but have to travel to Ohio State. The season opener is set for September 3rd in Kinnick Stadium against South Dakota State.

Offensively, new QB Spencer Petras will look to improve in his second year as starter. He'll rely on RBs Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams. Defensively, Iowa should be stout again, especially in the secondary with CB Riley Moss.

The Hawkeyes always expect to compete for the Big Ten West crown under Kirk Ferentz. But they'll need more explosiveness on offense and continued defensive excellence to contend for a conference championship.

Conclusion

Iowa Hawkeye football has a long, storied history marked by solid consistency, hard-nosed play, and loyal fans. While they sometimes get overlooked playing in the Midwest, the Hawkeyes have cemented their status as one of the most respectable programs in college football.

With Coach Ferentz leading the way, Iowa will look to add more memorable moments and championships to their tradition-rich history. No matter what happens, Hawkeye fans can always count on a gritty team that plays with heart and toughness.

FAQs

How many national championships have the Iowa Hawkeyes won?

The Iowa Hawkeyes have won 1 consensus national championship in football, which came in 1921 when they finished the season undefeated at 7-0 and were named retroactive national champs by the Billingsley Report.

Who is Iowa's biggest rival?

Iowa's biggest football rival is Iowa State University. They play annually for the Cy-Hawk Trophy and have an in-state rivalry dating back over 100 years.

What is the capacity of Kinnick Stadium?

Kinnick Stadium, where the Hawkeyes play their home games, has a capacity of 69,250 people.

Who has more wins in the Iowa vs Iowa State rivalry?

As of 2022, Iowa leads the all-time series vs. Iowa State with a record of 47-22. The Hawkeyes have won the last 6 matchups against the Cyclones.

How long has Kirk Ferentz been head coach at Iowa?

Kirk Ferentz has been the head coach at Iowa for 23 seasons dating back to 1999. He is the longest tenured coach in college football.