The 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hawkeyes were led by Kirk Ferentz in his 26th year as head coach. Iowa played their home games at Kinnick Stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, and sold out all seven home contests for the third consecutive season.
The Hawkeyes ended the 2024 season with a 27âÂÂ24 loss to No. 19 Missouri in the Music City Bowl to finish with an 8âÂÂ5 record (6âÂÂ3 Big Ten).
Senior linebacker Jay Higgins was named First-team All-Big Ten for the second time, ButkusâÂÂFitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, and a Unanimous First-team All-American. Junior running back Kaleb Johnson was named First-team All-Big Ten, AmecheâÂÂDayne Running Back of the Year, and a Consensus First-team All-American. He was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, and established single-season program records for rushing touchdowns (21) and total touchdowns (23). Senior return specialist Kaden Wetjen was named First-team All-Big Ten and RodgersâÂÂDwight Return Specialist of the Year.
Iowa opened the season against Illinois State, whom they had played only once previously, a 31âÂÂ14 win to open the 2015 season. The Hawkeyes had just a 6âÂÂ0 lead at halftime, but the offense came alive in the second half, scoring 34 points behind a balanced attack. The Hawkeye defense forced three turnovers, had four sacks, and pitched a shutout in a game in which the Redbirds never put together a scoring threat. Head coach Kirk Ferentz served a one-game suspension following a recruiting violation, making this the first game since November 25, 1978, that neither Hayden Fry nor Ferentz patrolled the Iowa sideline.
Iowa had won seven of the last eight in this trophy series. While the Hawkeyes had a double-digit lead at halftime, two first and goal situations inside the 5 yard line (that netted only 6 points) and a failed two-point conversion set the stage for Iowa State's comeback win.
(Gold Out Spirit game)
In the last non-conference game for the Hawkeyes, the team struggled in the first half but put up four touchdowns in the second.
Iowa was out for revenge and to recapture Floyd after the previous year's controversial ending. They were outplayed in the first half but completely dominated the second. The victory was the fifth consecutive for the Hawkeyes at Huntington Bank Stadium and tied Kirk Ferentz with Amos Alonzo Stagg in career wins as a Big Ten coach (199).
The Hawkeyes haven't won in Columbus since 1991 and were humbled during their last visit two years prior. After a competitive first half the Buckeyes ran away with the game in the second.
(ANF Black and Gold Spirit Game)
These programs hadn't faced each other since the 1995 Sun Bowl. Playing Washington for the first time as a Big Ten opponent, Iowa held a 10-point halftime lead before dominating the second half. The victory gave Kirk Ferentz his 200th win at Iowa.
Iowa's offense sputtered for most of the game, and Michigan State sustained drives consistently in earning a homecoming victory in East Lansing.
(Homecoming)
Iowa has won four of last five in this series. However, the Wildcats have spoiled two previous homecomings in the Ferentz era (2008, 2016). After struggling for most of the first half, the Iowa offense exploded in the third quarter with four touchdowns.
(Black out/ Military Game)
Wisconsin hasn't won at Kinnick Stadium since 2018. Iowa also hadn't won three in a row in this series in two decades. This was the first career start at Iowa for Brendan Sullivan. The Hawkeyes capitalized on two interceptions to keep the bull in Iowa City for a third year in a row and reach bowl eligibility for a twelfth consecutive year.
After a strong first quarter, the Hawkeyes remain winless at the Rose Bowl since January 1, 1959. UCLA won their third straight with a strong running game and limiting the running game of the Hawkeyes, who had been the Big Ten's top rushing team. This was the first matchup in the series since the 1986 Rose Bowl, the first regular season matchup since the 1981 season, and Iowa's first visit to Pasadena since the 2016 Rose Bowl.
The Hawkeyes bounced back against Maryland a team they haven't lost to since 2014 to earn the 700th win in program history. This was also the first time Brian Ferentz coached against his father. Five Drew Stevens field goals tying a single-game program record kept Iowa in the lead throughout. Junior running back Kaleb Johnson set the single-season program record for rushing touchdowns (21).
Iowa won for the ninth time in ten tries in this rivalry series. Drew Stevens nailed a 53-yard field goal as time expired to keep the Heroes Trophy in Iowa City.
These two programs haven't played since the 2010 Insight Bowl. They were scheduled to play in same bowl four years prior but it was cancelled due to COVID-19 complications. This is also the second time Iowa has been invited to this bowl in the last three seasons. Additionally, a victory would have had Kirk Ferentz tied with Woody Hayes in Big Ten career wins. Costly mistakes hurt the Hawkeyes throughout the game.