The 2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2006 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes compiled an overall record of 6âÂÂ7 with a mark of 2âÂÂ6 in conference play, tying for eighth place in the Big Ten. Iowa was invited to the Alamo Bowl, where the Hawkeyes lost to Texas. The team played home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa held FCS opponent Montana in check to get the opening-game victory.
Iowa escaped with the double overtime win after a long goal line stand.
In the final in-state match-up of two former Hayden Fry assistant coaches Kirk Ferentz prevailed over Dan McCarney to bring the Cy-Hawk trophy back to Iowa City. A crucial play of the game came in the fourth quarter with Iowa State electing to go for it on fourth down, coming up inches short.
ESPN's College GameDay was in Iowa City for this matchup between the #1 Buckeyes (4-0) and #13 Hawkeyes (4-0). After an Albert Young touchdown early in the 2nd quarter brought the Hawkeyes to within 14-10, Ohio State pulled away for the 21-point win.
The Iowa Hawkeyes welcomed Purdue to Kinnick Stadium one week after losing their much anticipated game against top-ranked Ohio State. Iowa jumped on Purdue early and often, opening up a 14-0 first quarter lead with a touchdown run by Damian Sims and a pass from quarterback Drew Tate to fullback Tom Busch. Kyle Schlicher added two field goals in the second quarter and the Hawkeyes lead 20-3 at halftime. Purdue's only first half scoring came on a 44-yard field goal by freshman Chris Summers. Sims scored again on Iowa's first possession of the second half before Greg Orton caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Curtis Painter. Tate then hit tight end Scott Chandler for a touchdown and Purdue then responded with a Jaycen Taylor touchdown run. The Boilermakers could get no closer as they were shut out in the fourth quarter. Shonn Greene scored on a short run and Adam Shada returned an interception of a Curtis Painter pass 98 yards for a touchdown.