Conference Big Ten Conference AP No. 8 Offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (4th year) | Coaches No. 8 2002 record 11–2 (8–0 Big Ten) | |
Head coach Kirk Ferentz (4th year) | ||
The 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa and were led by head coach Kirk Ferentz.
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Iowa finished the regular-season with an 11-1 record, and were unbeaten in Big Ten Conference games at 8-0. The one loss came to rival Iowa State. With all the regular season success that included a Co-Big Ten championship, the Hawkeyes could do little right in the 2003 Orange Bowl, and lost 38-17 to the USC Trojans. Despite the humbling loss, the 11 wins established an Iowa record for wins in a single season (tied in 2009, surpassed in 2015).
Preseason
Coming off a 7–5 season that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Texas Tech, things were looking up for the Iowa Hawkeyes. However, the Hawkeyes had to replace six offensive starters and four defensive starters. Quarterback Brad Banks and running back Fred Russell looked to take a much bigger role in the offense. Russell would ultimately secure the starting spot as junior Aaron Greving decided to quit the team. Tight end Dallas Clark would also play a big role in the passing game.
On defense, the Hawkeyes lost all-conference defensive tackle Aaron Kampman, but had three players – Fred Barr, Benny Sapp, and Bob Sanders – on the Nagurski watch list. However, on August 5, 2002 Benny Sapp was arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication leading to his being kicked off the team before the season started and his eventual transfer to the University of Northern Iowa and leaving the Hawkeyes very thin at cornerback. In total, Iowa returned six defensive starters as opposed to only five offensive starters. The Hawkeyes also returned punter David Bradley and kicker Nate Kaeding.
For lack of experience on offense, the Hawkeyes were unranked in both polls to start the season. They were also picked by Sports Illustrated to have a season similar to the year before, saying that another trip to the Alamo Bowl "should be viewed as a success."
Coaching staff
Joe Phillbin Offensive Linemen