2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 10-4, Loss vs. Tennessee in Citrus Bowl (35-0)

Iowa has remained as consistent as ever in the Big Ten. It was another 10-win campaign for the Hawkeyes but a struggling offense prevented the team from taking the next step. Iowa took advantage of the bottom of the conference last season and lost to Penn State and Michigan. The highlight of the season came with a rivalry victory against crosstown foe Iowa State.

Offense: When will it turn around?

Iowa attempted to improve the offense last offseason by bringing in Michigan transfer Cade McNamara. He suffered a season-ending knee injury after five games and an already-struggling offense just got worse. With Brian Ferentz running the show, Iowa’s offense continued to be near the bottom of the nation. This season, Kirk Ferentz brought in former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester to run the offense.

Lester will have McNamara back after his injury. He is still working through rehab but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. The biggest question mark is going to be the offensive line. This is a unit that has experience but has not been able to put it together just yet. This does not bode well for McNamara and a deep group at running back.

The Hawkeyes return their top two rushers from last season in Leshon Williams (821 yards) and Kaleb Johnson (463 yards). Pass catchers are led by Luke Lachey but the wide receiver room is thin.

Last season, Iowa could not put it together offensively, even when McNamara was healthy. The question is, when will it come together? That is yet to be seen.

Defense: Hawkeyes led by elite DC

Phil Parker has been the unheralded MVP of Iowa in recent years. The defensive coordinator has led one of the best groups in the nation that has single-handedly won games for Iowa. It is impossible to think about winning double-digit games with this offense but that is how good the defense has been.

The Hawkeyes were lucky enough to see many key players return for the 2024 season. This includes Jay Higgins, who led the Big Ten with 171 tackles, and Nick Jackson (110 tackles). The middle of the defense will be the strength for Iowa once again.

In the secondary, the Hawkeyes lost a major piece in All-Big Ten corner Cooper DeJean. Jermari Harris made multiple starts last season and could step into that No. 1 corner role. Quinn Schulte and Xavier Nwankpa will take their usual roles at safety. Iowa has been strong at all three levels over the last few years and that should continue despite some key losses and a new defensive line.

The Hawkeyes will replace two starters along the defensive line but have depth across all four positions. This includes Aaron Graves and Yahya Black in the center. The defense for Iowa has been its catalyst for the last half decade and that will be the case once again.

2024 Iowa Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Illinois State
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Iowa State
• Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Troy
• Saturday, Sept. 21: at Minnesota
• Saturday, Oct. 5: at Ohio State
• Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Washington
• Saturday, Oct. 19: at Michigan State
• Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Northwestern
• Saturday, Nov. 2: at Wisconsin
• Friday, Nov. 8: at UCLA
• Saturday, Nov. 23: at Maryland
• Friday, Nov. 29: vs. Nebraska