2025 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

2025 NFL draft

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Albany (FCS)

After a sluggish first 20 minutes of play, the Hawkeyes running game came alive and the defense settled in. The 34–7 victory tied Kirk Ferentz with Woody Hayes in overall wins as a Big Ten coach (205).^[10]

at No. 16 Iowa State (Cy–Hawk Trophy)

The Hawkeyes never led in this game and lost for the first time in seven tries at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa is now 1–5 when Fox Big Noon Kickoff is on site.^[12]

UMass

This was Iowa's last game before the conference schedule and their first-ever meeting with UMass. The victory moved Kirk Ferentz into first place in overall wins as a Big Ten football coach. The Hawkeyes came out inspired, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions. Kaden Wetjen returned a punt 95 yards at the beginning of the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Minutemen in a 47–7 rout.^[13] Wetjen earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.^[14]

at Rutgers

The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play under the lights on a Friday night in Piscataway. The teams raced out to a 21-point tie in the first 22 minutes. The game pace slowed, and Iowa blocked a crucial field goal as they pulled away in the fourth quarter. Kirk Ferentz maintained his unblemished record when facing the Scarlet Knights (5–0).^[15] Kaden Wetjen, who opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, earned Big Ten Special Teams recognition for the second consecutive week.^[16]

No. 11 Indiana

Indiana, boasting the #3 scoring offense (54.8) and #5 scoring defense (8.3) in the country, defeated Iowa for the first time since 2012. The Hawkeyes faltered in the fourth quarter and Indiana took advantage with a 49-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 remaining. Iowa had won nine of the last ten games in this series.^[17]

at Wisconsin (rivalry)

Iowa won its fourth consecutive games in this series for the first time in two decades (2002–2005), and blanked Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium for the first time in 96 years. The Hawkeyes capitalized on three Badger turnovers in the first half. Iowa was able to run at will as this was the most lopsided win for the Hawkeyes since 1968 against the Badgers. The Hawkeyes have outscored Wisconsin 79–10 in the last two matchups.^[18]

Penn State

The Hawkeyes battled an emotional Penn State team who was playing their first game just days after the firing of head coach James Franklin. Both teams had success running the football, but Iowa popped a few more big plays and outlasted the Nittany Lions. The Hawkeyes' third win in the last four games in the series sent Penn State to 0–4 in Big Ten play.^[19] Senior defensive back Xavier Nwankpa earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Penn State.^[20]

Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale)

Minnesota has not won consecutive games at Kinnick Stadium in nearly 45 years (1981). Iowa dominated the first half, scoring in all three phases of the game. This was the most lopsided game in the series since 2008 as the Gophers never had momentum. The victory once again brought the Hawkeyes to bowl eligibility.^[21]

No. 9 Oregon

Fox Big Noon Kickoff was on hand for this top 20 showdown. These teams had only played each other three times prior and this was their first meeting in over 30 years. Rain was a factor as both teams struggled passing. Iowa took their first lead of the game at 16–15 with 1:51 remaining. But, in their first visit to Iowa City since 1989, Oregon prevailed with a field goal, 18–16.^[22][23]

at No. 17 USC

Playing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 1976, the Hawkeyes took control early before stalling out down the stretch. For the second consecutive week rain was a factor but Iowa drove the ball effectively in the first half, leading 21–10 at intermission. USC outscored Iowa 16–0 in the second half to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Senior Mark Gronowski became the first Hawkeye to have rushing, receiving, and passing touchdowns in the same game in over 30 years. This was the first meeting of the schools since the 2019 Holiday Bowl. Iowa's last win at the Coliseum remains 1961, and The Trojans have an 8–3 advantage in the overall series.^[24][25]

Michigan State

With a first quarter 62-yard punt return for a touchdown, Kaden Wetjen broke a Tim Dwight return touchdown record from almost three decades prior. The Hawkeyes offense stalled for most of the first three quarters, but woke up in the fourth. Senior Drew Stevens kicked a 44-yard field goal in his final home game for the nail-biting win. Michigan State has only won at Kinnick Stadium twice in the last 30 years (2011, 2013).^[26] Wetjen was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for a third time.^[27]

at Nebraska (rivalry)

The Hawkeyes have won 10 of the last 11 in this trophy series. The Cornhuskers were also out for revenge as they gave away the last two match-ups on last-minute turnovers. This marked the 15th Heroes Game with Iowa holding an 11–4 advantage as well as earning their seventh consecutive victory in Lincoln. After a back-and-forth first half, the Hawkeyes shut out the Cornhuskers in the second to get the most lopsided win in the series since 2017. Mark Gronowski also broke the Iowa single-season quarterback rushing record (491).^[28]

vs No. 14 Vanderbilt (ReliaQuest Bowl)

In this first-ever meeting of the two schools, the Hawkeyes' victory gave Kirk Ferentz the record for most bowl game wins as a Big Ten coach (11). Iowa started fast, scoring a touchdown on a two-minute opening drive and benefitted from an illegal punt by Vandy right before halftime. The Commodores rallied in the second half behind Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia, but Mark Gronowski threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to earn his 58th victory as a college quarterback. Drew Stevens capped his Hawkeye career with two field goals, providing some margin while adding to his school record for made field goals.^[1]