Iowa

University of Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa's football program started slow as a club sport through the 1870's. University officials finally recognized the program and Iowa would have a varsity team by 1889. In 1899, Iowa had their first undefeated season and an invitation to the Western Conference, what is today's Big Ten Conference. The Hawkeyes secured another undefeated season the following year in 1900 and won a share of the Western Conference title-- not bad for their first year in the league.

The Hawkeyes have a total of 547 wins and 11 conference titles. Iowa has also produced one Heisman Trophy winner. Nile Kinnick won the 1939 Heisman Trophy while helping the Hawkeyes nearly win, the Big Ten title. The Hawkeyes proudly play their home games at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes have also had legendary coaches. Hall of Fame coach Howard Jones helped launch the team in the 1920's as a national powerhouse but left for Southern California. Jones helped build a powerhouse at USC as well. Forest Evanshevski and Hall of Famer Hayden Fry would then lead the Hawkeyes. Evanshevki led Iowa to the 1958 National Title but left to become the athletic director. After his departure and before Fry was hired, the Hawkeyes endured nineteen consecutive non- winning seasons. Fry changed that all around in 1978 and went on to win three Big- Ten titles.

The Hawkeys come onto the field led by Herky the Hawkeye and to the Iowa Fight Song. The Hawks wear the black and crisp gold and have one of the most raucous crowds in the nation. Kinnick Stadium is known for the student section and the pre- game tailgating.

Iowa has three intense rivalries each year. Iowa and Iowa State battle each year for the "Cy Hawk Trophy." Iowa and Minnesota clash for the "Floyd of Rosedale" and Iowa and Wisconsin play for the "Heartland Trophy."

Iowa Hawkeyes 2007 Outlook

Drew Tate has graduated and left Iowa, just an fyi real quick for the Iowa faithful. Iowa loved Tate and rightfully so but it is a new season and Iowa needs to find a gung- slinger, fast. Sophomore Jake Christensen will have two talented running backs at his disposal this year making his transition smooth. Albert Young and Damian Sims provide a sweet one- two punch. They will buy Christensen time to mature as he will have a dependable back, or two with him at all times while providing some big plays.

The Hawkeyes 2007 defense looks SICK, at least on paper it does. The Hawkeyes will be returning six senior starters. Juniors Matt Kroul and Mitch King will team with seniors Ken Iwebema and Bryan Mattison to form one of the best front- fours in the Big- Ten. That is really saying something! The Hawks also have a stud linebacker in Mike Klinkenborg. He has a serious nose for the ball, recording a team high 129 tackles in 2006.

What really helps Iowa this year is that Michigan and Ohio State are not on the schedule in 2007. The team has depth, leadership and experience to make some serious noise this year. We know that the faithful Iowa fans are ready for an eight, nine or even ten win season and meaningful bowl game. For this to happen though, veteran players like Young, Sims, and Iwebema will need to stay healthy and Christensen cannot turn the ball over on SILLY rookie mistakes.

2007 Iowa Schedule

Date OPPONENT TIME (ET) Location Result
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007 at Northern_Ill 03:30 PM Soldier Field - Chicago, IL  
Sat, Sep 8th, 2007 Syracuse 08:00 PM Kinnick Stadium  
Sat, Sep 15th, 2007 at Iowa_State 01:30 PM Jack Trice Stadium  
Sat, Sep 22nd, 2007 at Wisconsin 08:00 PM Camp Randall Stadium  
Sat, Sep 29th, 2007 Indiana 12:05 PM Kinnick Stadium  
Sat, Oct 6th, 2007 at Penn_State TBA Beaver Stadium  
Sat, Oct 13th, 2007 Illinois TBA Kinnick Stadium  
Sat, Oct 20th, 2007 at Purdue TBA Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Oct 27th, 2007 Michigan_State TBA Kinnick Stadium  
Sat, Nov 3rd, 2007 at Northwestern TBA Ryan Field  
Sat, Nov 10th, 2007 Minnesota TBA Kinnick Stadium  
Sat, Nov 17th, 2007 Western_Mich TBA Kinnick Stadium  

Head Coach Profile

Kirk Ferentz was brought in to coach the Iowa offensive line coach under Hayden Fry on 1981. Ferentz was seen as an excellent line coach sending 11 linemen into the NFL during that time. He soon left thought to pursue a short coaching stint at the University of Maine. The NFL soon came calling-- it was none other than Bill Belichick. Ferentz was the Browns offensive line coach and later with the Baltimore Ravens.

Kirk Ferentz came back to Iowa on December 2, 1998. He was hired to replace long- time mentor and Iowa legend, Hayden Fry. The team struggled at first under the new coach but Ferentz quickly turned things around. Ferentz and Iowa won the 2001 Alamo Bowl. Iowa then finished the 2002 season 11-1 with their only loss coming to archrival Iowa State. The Hawkeyes ended up sharing the Big- Ten title with Ohio State and went on to loose in their first BCS appearance to USC in the 2003 Orange Bowl but Ferentz was named the AP Coach of the Year. In 2003, Iowa finish 9-3 but beat Florida 37-17 in the Outback Bowl for their first win January since 1959. The 2004 season was another Big- Ten title, Iowa shared the title with Michigan after a dramatic end of the season win again Wisconsin. Iowa went on to win the Capital One Bowl on a thrilling late touchdown from former quarterback Drew Tate.

Ferentz brings solid recruiting along with a pro- based offensive and defensive package. His intense drive to win makes him much respected throughout a state that loves football. Look for Ferentz and the Hawkeyes to have a good 2007 season.

University of Iowa Hawkeyes- Key Departures/Players to Watch

The losses of Drew Tate and tight end Scott Chandler will hurt this offense. Iowa is known for producing solid tight ends-- look at Super Bowl Champion Dallas Clark for example. The tight end spot will be solidified come the start of the season, so don't be alarmed Iowa fans. The Hawkeyes did loose two key linemen from a year ago. Mike Elgin and Marshal Yanda are off to the NFL. These are big shoes that need to be filled, look for top recruit Bryan Beluga to make an impact and step in and see time at offensive tackle and junior offensive guard Seth Olson will be a big offensive contributor, look for Olson to step up big in 2007.

Ken Iwebemea will be back from an injury that sidelined him for the most of the 2006 campaign. Look for Iwebemea to be healthy and ready to go. With Klinkenborg, King, Mattison and defensive back Adam Shada, the Hawks should be swarming on defense in 2007.