| Year: | 1946 |
| Team: | Iowa Hawkeyes |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Nine Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Nine |
| Record: | 5–4 |
| Conf Record: | 3–3 |
| Head Coach: | Eddie Anderson |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Mvp: | Bill Kay |
| Stadium: | Iowa Stadium |
The 1946 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. The team compiled a 5–4 record (3–3 against conference opponents) and finished in fourth place in the Big Nine Conference.[1] [2] The team outscored its opponents by a combined total of 129 to 92.[1] The team allowed an average of 200.7 yards per game, the best total defense in Iowa history.[3]
Eddie Anderson returned as a head coach for the Hawkeyes for his fifth season as Iowa's head coach; he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.[4]
The team's statistical leaders included Bob Smith with 503 rushing yards, Emlen Tunnell with 228 passing yards, Dick Hoerner with 72 receiving yards, and Bob Sullivan with 25 points scored.[5] Tackle Bill Kay was selected as the team's most valuable player.[6] Guard Earl Banks and fullback Dick Hoerner were selected as first-team players on the 1946 All-Big Nine Conference football team.[7]
Iowa was ranked at No. 19 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.[8]
The team played its home games at Iowa Stadium. It drew 197,811 spectators at five home games, an average of 39,562 per game.[9]
See also: 1946 NCAA football rankings.
See main article: 1947 NFL draft. The 1947 NFL Draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Hawkeyes were selected.[10]
| 13 | 107 | Bob Sullivan | Boston Yanks | ||
| 23 | 214 | Hal Shoener | New York Giants | ||
| 24 | 219 | Washington Redskins | |||
| 31 | 286 | Herb Shoener | End | Washington Redskins |