2024 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

Record: 8-4, Loss vs. Missouri in Music City Bowl (27-24)

It was another eight-win season for Iowa and another appearance in bowl season. The Hawkeyes have been extremely consistent under Kirk Ferentz. It was a 4-2 start for Iowa with losses to rival Iowa State and Ohio State. The big loss came against Michigan State before a late-season loss to UCLA. The final two losses ended Iowa’s chances of postseason play. Iowa will look to avoid poor conference losses with an improved offense.

OFFENSE: Is This the Year the Unit Takes a Big Step?

It has been building for years and years — and it has not been an easy road.

The Hawkeyes have struggled to put points on the board in recent years. The quarterback position has been a mess but Iowa is hoping that is over now. Mark Gronowski transferred in from South Dakota State to provide a boost.

Gronowski is a true dual threat who was one of the top players in the nation at the FCS level. He will be a force in the run game and it will go a long way with Kaleb Johnson now in the NFL. Kamari Moulton will likely be the team’s lead back after finishing second on the team in 2024 with 472 rushing yards.

Along with their best quarterback in quite some time, the Hawkeyes will feature what might be its best receiving group. Jacob Gill returns after a strong campaign while No. 2 wideout Reece Vander Zee is also back in the mix.

It is an experienced group on the outside to go with a loaded offensive line. Gennings Dunker and Logan Jones are among the top players in the nation at their position.

DEFENSE: Elite Will Still be Elite

The Iowa defense has been up there with the best in the nation for years now.

Jay Higgins is gone but next in line includes Jaden Harrell and Karson Sharar. Neither had a great amount of time last season with Higgins and Nick Jackson in the mix but the Hawkeyes continue to be a factory in the middle of the defense.

The secondary will be strong once again as well. TJ Hall and Deshaun Lee will man the outside while the safeties are in a good position as well. Xavier Nwankpa is a strong tackler that can get downfield when needed.

The defensive line will be filed with new faces as Kirk Ferentz hit the transfer portal. Jonah Pace was a big target out of Central Michigan while Bryce Hawthorne has come over from the Jackrabbits as well.

Aaron Graves is an All-Conference caliber lineman and will be an elite rusher in the Big Ten.

2025 IOWA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

• Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. Albany
• Saturday, Sept. 6: at Iowa State
• Saturday, Sept. 13: vs. UMass
• Friday, Sept. 19: at Rutgers
• Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. Indiana
• Saturday, Oct. 11: at Wisconsin
• Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. Penn State
• Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Minnesota
• Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Oregon
• Saturday, Nov. 15: at USC
• Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. Michigan State
• Friday, Nov. 28: at Nebraska