2024 Iowa Hawkeyes football team explained

Year:	2024
Team:	Iowa Hawkeyes
Sport:	football
Conference:	Big Ten Conference
Short Conf:	Big Ten
Record:	8–4
Conf Record:	6–3
Head Coach:	Kirk Ferentz
Hc Year:	26th
Oc Year:	1st
Off Scheme:	West Coast^[1]
Def Coach:	Phil Parker
Dc Year:	13th
Captain:	Cade McNamara
Captain2:	Luke Lachey
Captain3:	Jay Higgins
Captain4:	Sebastian Castro
Stadium:	Kinnick Stadium

The 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represents the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hawkeyes are led by Kirk Ferentz who is in his 26th year as head coach. Iowa played their home games at Kinnick Stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa.

Player movement

Transfers in

!Date!Player!Position!Previous Team!Notes!Ref
January 20, 2024	Kadyn Proctor	OT	Alabama Crimson Tide	SEC All-Freshman Team (2023)	^[2] ^[3]
May 9, 2024	Brendan Sullivan	QB	Northwestern Wildcats	Started 8 games over two seasons
May 14, 2024	Jacob Gill	WR	Northwestern Wildcats

Transfers out

!Date!Player!Position!Destination!Notes!Ref
November 13, 2023	Spencer Petras	QB	Utah State Aggies	^[4] ^[5]
December 4, 2023	Anterio Thompson	DL	Western Michigan Broncos	^[6] ^[7]
December 5, 2023	Joey Labas	QB	Central Michigan Chippewas	^[8] ^[9]
April 16, 2024	Kadyn Proctor	OL	Alabama Crimson Tide
April 23, 2024	Deacon Hill	QB	Utah Tech Trailblazers	^[10] ^[11]

Game summaries

No. 19 (FCS) Illinois State

Iowa opened the season against Illinois State, whom they had played only once previously, a 31–14 win to open the 2015 season. The Hawkeyes had just a 6–0 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.^[12] ^[13] ^[14]

Statistics	ILST	IOWA
First downs	12	23
Total yards	189	492
Rushing yards	56	241
Passing yards	133	251
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14–29–1	21–31–0
Time of possession	25:12	34:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Illinois State	Passing	Tommy Rittenhouse	10/20, 119 yards, INT
Rushing	Wenkers Wright	9 carries, 36 yards
Receiving	Xavier Loyd	4 receptions, 53 yards
Iowa	Passing		21/31, 251 yards, 3 TD
Rushing		11 carries, 119 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Reece Vander Zee	5 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD

Iowa State (rivalry)

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.^[15] ^[16]

Statistics	ISU	IOWA
First downs	15	16
Total yards	64–361	67–303
Rushing yards	28–89	38–204
Passing yards	272	99
Passing: comp–att–int	23–36–1	13–29–2
Time of possession	30:10	29:50

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa State	Passing	Rocco Becht	23/35, 272 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing	Abu Sama	17 carries, 58 yards
Receiving	Jayden Higgins	8 receptions, 68 yards, TD
Iowa	Passing	Cade McNamara	13/29, 99 yards, 2 INT
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	25 carries, 187 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Jacob Gill	4 receptions, 47 yards

Troy

See also: 2024 Troy Trojans football team. (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.^[17] ^[18]

Statistics	TROY	IOWA
First downs	10	25
Total yards	47–253	69–462
Rushing yards	21–24	45–284
Passing yards	229	178
Passing: comp–att–int	16–26–1	20–24–0
Time of possession	23:41	36:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Troy	Passing	Matthew Caldwell	14/21, 156 yards, TD, INT
Rushing	Damien Taylor	7 carries, 20 yards
Receiving	Devonte Ross	5 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TD
Iowa	Passing	Cade McNamara	19/23, 176 yards
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	25 carries, 173 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Jacob Gill	5 receptions, 44 yards

at Minnesota (rivalry)

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).^[19] ^[20] ^[21]

Statistics	IOWA	MINN
First downs	19	15
Total yards	64–334	58–288
Rushing yards	45–272	21–79
Passing yards	62	209
Passing: comp–att–int	11–19–0	22–37–2
Time of possession	31:43	28:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Cade McNamara	11/19, 62 yard
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	21 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Addison Ostrenga	2 receptions, 20 yards
Minnesota	Passing	Max Brosmer	22/37, 209 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing	Darius Taylor	10 carries, 34 yards
Receiving	Daniel Jackson	9 receptions, 112 yards

at No. 3 Ohio State

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. ^[22] ^[23]

Statistics	IOWA	OSU
First downs	10	21
Total yards	48–226	65–412
Rushing yards	27–116	40–203
Passing yards	110	209
Passing: comp–att–int	15–21–1	21–25–1
Time of possession	25:14	34:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Cade McNamara	14/20, 98 yards, INT
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	15 carries, 86 yards, TD
Receiving	Luke Lachey	5 receptions, 39 yards
Ohio State	Passing	Will Howard	21/25, 209 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing	Quinshon Judkins	13 carries, 78 yards
Receiving	Jeremiah Smith	4 receptions, 89 yards, TD

Washington

See also: 2024 Washington Huskies football team. (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.^[24] ^[25]

Statistics	WASH	IOWA
First downs	23	20
Total yards	80–393	51–328
Rushing yards	30–127	37–220
Passing yards	266	108
Passing: comp–att–int	34–50–1	8–14–0
Time of possession	34:59	22:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Washington	Passing	Will Rogers	22/34, 195 yards, TD, INT
Rushing	Jonah Coleman	9 carries, 80 yards
Receiving	Giles Jackson	9 receptions, 63 yards
Iowa	Passing	Cade McNamara	8/14, 108 yards, 2 TD
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	21 carries, 166 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Dayton Howard	1 reception, 33 yards, TD

at Michigan State

Iowa's offense sputtered for most of the game, and Michigan State sustained drives consistently in earning a homecoming victory in East Lansing.^[26] ^[27]

Statistics	IOWA	MSU
First downs	12	27
Total yards	46–283	70–468
Rushing yards	23–133	40–212
Passing yards	150	256
Passing: comp–att–int	11–23–1	22–30–1
Time of possession	20:16	39:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Cade McNamara	11/23, 150 yards, TD, INT
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	14 carries, 98 yards, TD
Receiving	Kaleb Johnson	4 receptions, 49 yards
Michigan State	Passing	Aidan Chiles	22/30, 256 yards, TD, INT
Rushing	Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams	15 carries, 86 yards
Receiving	Nick Marsh	8 receptions, 113 yards

Northwestern

See also: 2024 Northwestern Wildcats football team. (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.^[28] ^[29]

Statistics	NW	IOWA
First downs	11	14
Total yards	51–163	66–355
Rushing yards	24–43	39–203
Passing yards	120	152
Passing: comp–att–int	15–27–2	16–27–1
Time of possession	25:36	34:24

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing	Jack Lausch	10/19, 62 yards, 2 INT
Rushing	Cam Porter	13 carries, 50 yards
Receiving	A.J. Henning	2 receptions, 22 yards
Iowa	Passing	Brendan Sullivan	9/14, 79 yards
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	14 carries, 109 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Seth Anderson	2 receptions, 44 yards

Wisconsin (rivalry)

See also: 2024 Wisconsin Badgers football team and Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry. (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.^[30] ^[31]

Statistics	WIS	IOWA
First downs	16	22
Total yards	57–261	64–422
Rushing yards	28–124	54–329
Passing yards	137	93
Passing: comp–att–int	15–29–2	7–10–0
Time of possession	26:34	33:26

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Wisconsin	Passing	Braedyn Locke	15/29, 137 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing	Darrion Dupree	7 carries, 52 yards
Receiving	Vinny Anthony II	4 receptions, 61 yards
Iowa	Passing	Brendan Sullivan	7/10, 93 yards, TD
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	24 carries, 135 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Zach Ortwerth	3 receptions, 66 yards

at UCLA

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.^[32] ^[33]

Statistics	IOWA	UCLA
First downs	12	23
Total yards	46–265	73–414
Rushing yards	31–80	39–211
Passing yards	185	203
Passing: comp–att–int	9–15–2	21–34–2
Time of possession	22:27	37:33

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Brendan Sullivan	6/9, 157 yards, 2 INT
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	18 carries, 49 yards, TD
Receiving	Jacob Gill	6 receptions, 138 yards
UCLA	Passing	Ethan Garbers	21/34, 203 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing	T. J. Harden	20 carries, 125 yards
Receiving	Logan Loya	5 receptions, 94 yards, TD

at Maryland

Maryland hasn't defeated Iowa since 2014. 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).^[34] ^[35]

Statistics	IOWA	MD
First downs	21	14
Total yards	72–344	57–227
Rushing yards	58–268	26–98
Passing yards	76	129
Passing: comp–att–int	10–14–0	17–31–2
Time of possession	37:41	22:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Jackson Stratton	10/14, 76 yards
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	35 carries, 164 yards, TD
Receiving	Jacob Gill	4 receptions, 29 yards
Maryland	Passing	MJ Morris	12/23, 103 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing	Nolan Ray	4 carries, 48 yards
Receiving	Tai Felton	6 receptions, 57 yards, 2 TD

Nebraska (rivalry)

Iowa has won nine of last ten in this rivalry series. Additionally, Nebraska hasn't won consecutive games at Kinnick Stadium in a decade. Drew Stevens nailed a 53-yard field goal as time expired to keep the Heroes Trophy in Iowa City.^[36] ^[37]

Statistics	NEB	IOWA
First downs	20	5
Total yards	76–334	41–164
Rushing yards	43–144	26–49
Passing yards	190	115
Passing: comp–att–int	22–33–0	8–15–0
Time of possession	39:01	20:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Nebraska	Passing	Dylan Raiola	22/32, 190 yards
Rushing	Emmett Johnson	18 carries, 71 yards
Receiving	Jahmal Banks	4 receptions, 41 yards
Iowa	Passing	Jackson Stratton	8/15, 115 yards, TD
Rushing	Kaleb Johnson	17 carries, 45 yards
Receiving	Kaleb Johnson	2 receptions, 73 yards, TD

Notes and References

Web site: College Football Dawgs . Frederick . Korey . Tim Lester's New Iowa Hawkeye Offense . March 9, 2024 . August 31, 2024.
Web site: Iowa Hawkeyes 2024 College Football Transfer Portal . 2024-02-07 . 24/7 Sports . en-US.
Web site: Dochterman . Scott . January 20, 2024 . Former Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor transferring to Iowa: What this means for Hawkeyes . 2024-02-07 . The Athletic.
Web site: Iowa QB Spencer Petras enters NCAA transfer portal. On3.com. Nick. Kosko. November 13, 2023. December 26, 2023.
Web site: Former Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras commits to Utah State. On3.com. Kaiden. Smith. December 3, 2023. December 26, 2023.
Web site: Anterio Thompson headed to the transfer portal. On3.com. Blair. Sanderson. December 4, 2023. January 14, 2024.
Web site: WMU football lands commitment from former Big Ten defensive lineman. MLive.com. Matthew. Ehler. January 8, 2024. January 14, 2024.
Web site: Iowa QB Joey Labas enters NCAA Transfer Portal. On3.com. Steve. Samra. December 5, 2023. January 14, 2024.
Web site: CMU offers Iowa QB in transfer portal. CSNbbs. December 17, 2023. January 14, 2024.
Web site: Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill enters the transfer portal. 247Sports.com. Sean. Bock. April 23, 2024. September 1, 2024.
Web site: Iowa transfer quarterback Deacon Hill commits to Utah Tech. On3.com. Wade. Peery. May 18, 2024. September 1, 2024.
Web site: Hawkeyes will be without suspended coach Kirk Ferentz when they open against Illinois State . . August 28, 2024 . August 31, 2024.
Web site: No. 25 Iowa eager to see offensive improvement in opener against FCS foe Illinois State . . August 29, 2024 . August 31, 2024.
Web site: No. 25 Iowa wins opener without suspended coach Kirk Ferentz, beating Illinois State 40-0 . . August 31, 2024 . August 31, 2024.
Web site: Cyclones visit No. 21 Hawkeyes for CyHawk game. Ferentz says rivalry ‘underappreciated’ outside Iowa . . September 5, 2024 . September 6, 2024.
Web site: Konrardy hits 54-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to lift Iowa State past No. 21 Iowa, 20-19 . . September 7, 2024 . September 8, 2024.
Web site: Hawkeyes are in bounce-back mode as winless Troy comes to Kinnick Stadium . . September 12, 2024 . September 22, 2024.
Web site: Kaleb Johnson rushes for 173 yards and 2 TDs in Iowa's 38-21 win over Troy . . September 14, 2024 . September 22, 2024.
Web site: Iowa aims to take back Floyd from Minnesota and avenge last year's loss on the invalid fair catch . . September 19, 2024 . September 22, 2024.
Web site: Iowa takes back Floyd in 31-14 trampling of Minnesota behind Kaleb Johnson’s 206 yards . . September 21, 2024 . September 22, 2024.
Web site: Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Washington Earn Weekly Football Honors . . September 23, 2024 . October 4, 2024.
Web site: No. 3 Ohio State faces toughest test yet against RB Kaleb Johnson and 3-1 Iowa . . October 3, 2024 . October 4, 2024.
Web site: No. 3 Ohio State sputters in the first half before blowing out Iowa 35-7 . . October 5, 2024 . October 6, 2024.
Web site: Washington is riding momentum entering its first visit to Iowa since 1964 . . October 10, 2024 . October 11, 2024.
Web site: Kaleb Johnson scores 3 TDs as Iowa tops Washington 40-16 for Kirk Ferentz’s 200th Hawkeyes’ win . . October 12, 2024 . October 12, 2024.
Web site: Michigan State tasked with stopping Iowa’s potent rushing game . . October 17, 2024 . October 27, 2024.
Web site: Kim, Chiles help Michigan State snap losing streak with 32-20 win over Iowa . . October 19, 2024 . October 27, 2024.
Web site: Hawkeyes are looking for a sharper defensive performance when Northwestern visits Kinnick Stadium . . October 24, 2024 . October 27, 2024.
Web site: Kaleb Johnson leads Iowa’s 28-point third-quarter outburst in 40-14 win over Northwestern . . October 26, 2024 . October 27, 2024.
Web site: Wisconsin and Iowa meet with bowl eligibility on the line; Hawkeyes to start Brendan Sullivan at QB . . October 31, 2024 . November 2, 2024.
Web site: Kaleb Johnson scores 3 TDs, rushes for 135 yards in Iowa’s 42-10 win over Wisconsin . . November 2, 2024 . November 2, 2024.
Web site: Surging UCLA seeks first conference home win hosting potent Iowa in Big Ten tilt . . November 7, 2024 . November 9, 2024.
Web site: Garbers, Schwesinger lead UCLA past Iowa 20-17 for Bruins’ 3rd straight win . . November 9, 2024 . November 9, 2024.
Web site: Maryland’s bowl hopes are dwindling as the Terrapins prepare to face Iowa . . November 21, 2024 . November 30, 2024.
Web site: Kaleb Johnson rushes 35 times for 164 yards in Iowa’s 29-13 victory over Maryland . . November 23, 2024 . November 30, 2024.
Web site: Nebraska and Iowa will meet on cold night with hopes of enhancing position in the bowl pecking order . . November 27, 2024 . November 30, 2024.
Web site: Drew Stevens’ 53-yard field goal lifts Iowa over Nebraska 13-10 . . November 29, 2024 . November 30, 2024.