The 1995 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled an overall record of 8âÂÂ4 with a mark of 4âÂÂ4 in conference play, placing sixth in the Big Ten. Iowa was invited to the Sun Bowl, where the Hawkeyes defeated Washington. The team played home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Led by tailback Sedrick Shaw (42 carries, 250 yards, TD), the Hawkeyes rolled up 524 yards of total offense (311 rushing) to earn a road victory over the Spartans in the 1995 Big Ten opener.
The Hawkeyes led 27-24 after a 19-yard touchdown run from Sedrick Shaw early in the 4th quarter, but Penn State rallied to score the final 17 points of the game.
The Buckeyes, led by future NFL Pro Bowl selections Eddie George, Terry Glenn, and Shawn Springs, rolled to a 56-0 lead in the first half before cruising to the 21-point victory.
ESPN's College GameDay was in Evanston for this matchup between the Hawkeyes and the #5 Wildcats. After leading 20-17 at halftime, Iowa couldn't muster a second half score. Northwestern had a magical season, capped by the school's first trip to the Rose Bowl in 46 years.
The young Hawkeyes bullied the Pac-10 co-Champion and 20th-ranked Huskies, leading 21âÂÂ0 at half and 38âÂÂ6 early in the 4th quarter before cruising to a 20-point victory. Sedrick Shaw and Tavian Banks each ran for over 100 yards, as Iowa outgained Washington 229âÂÂ90 on the ground. Iowa kickers combined for 5 field goals to stretch the lead in the first half.
Iowa ended the season on a 3-game winning streak, earning a #25 ranking in the final AP poll and a #22 ranking in the final Coaches' poll.
This was the Hawkeyes' first win over a ranked opponent since the 1991 season, and Iowa's first bowl victory since the 1987 Holiday Bowl.
Coaching in his final game, longtime Defensive Coordinator Bill Brashier referred to this Sun Bowl victory as his most memorable.