AP No. 8 | Coaches No. 8 2004 record 10–2 (7–1 Big Ten) | |
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Head coach Kirk Ferentz (6th year) | ||
The 2004 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games in Kinnick Stadium and were coached by Kirk Ferentz. Finishing the 2003 season with a 10–3 record and an Outback Bowl victory, the Hawkeyes began the season 2–0 with wins over Kent State and Iowa State. But after rocky performances at Arizona State and Michigan, the Hawkeyes sat at 2–2 going into their game with Michigan State.
Contents
- Previous season
- Before the season
- Rankings
- Recruiting class
- Schedule note
- Strength of schedule rankings
- Depth chart
- References
The Hawkeyes handily defeated the Spartans 38–16, and turned their attention to Ohio State, a team whom the Hawkeyes had not beaten at home since 1983. Behind a strong defensive performance that allowed only 177 yards, the Hawkeyes easily defeated the Buckeyes by 26 points, the largest margin of victory over Ohio State in Iowa history. However, tragedy struck soon thereafter, when head coach Kirk Ferentz's father died. In the emotional game that ensued, the Hawkeyes narrowly defeated Penn State 6–4 on two Kyle Schlicher field goals.
The Hawkeyes then raised their record to 8–2 with victories over Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota. With a share of the Big Ten championship on the line, the Hawkeyes met Wisconsin in the final regular season game of the year. Iowa won the game, completing its second consecutive unbeaten season at home, and thousands of Hawkeye fans swarmed the field in celebration. Several weeks following the victory, Iowa accepted a bid to play the LSU Tigers in the 2005 Capital One Bowl.
In a game that was originally thought to be a defensive matchup, the Hawkeyes took a 24–12 lead early in the fourth quarter. But behind freshman quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the Tigers stormed back, and took a one-point lead with 46 seconds remaining. However, LSU's comeback was all for naught, as Iowa's Drew Tate completed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Warren Holloway as time expired, giving Iowa the 30–25 win and a 10–2 final record.
Previous season
In 2003, Iowa began the season 4-0 and would eventually complete the regular season with a 9–3 record that included wins over Iowa State, Michigan (Iowa's second straight victory against Michigan), and Minnesota. However, the Hawkeyes lost to Michigan State, Ohio State, and Purdue. Finishing fourth in the Big Ten standings, the Hawkeyes accepted a bid to play the Florida Gators in the Outback Bowl. Despite falling behind early on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Chris Leak to Kelvin Knight, the Hawkeyes reeled off 27 straight points en route to a 37–17 victory. It was a milestone victory, as it gave Iowa its second consecutive 10-win season along with the first Hawkeye victory in a January bowl game since the Rose Bowl in 1959.
Following the season, five Iowa players were selected in the 2004 NFL Draft. Robert Gallery, the 2003 Outland Trophy winner, became the second-highest pick in school history when he was selected 2nd by the Oakland Raiders. Following Gallery in Iowa's draft order were Bob Sanders, taken 44th by Indianapolis, Nate Kaeding, taken 65th by San Diego, Jared Clauss, taken in the seventh round by Tennessee, and Erik Jensen, who was taken in the seventh round by St. Louis.
Before the season
Prior to the season, the Hawkeyes looked to replace seven offensive starters and four defensive starters. Key losses from 2003 included Maurice Brown, Robert Gallery, Nate Chandler, Fred Russell, and Ramon Ochoa on offense. Defensively, the Hawkeyes looked to replace Howard Hodges, Jared Clauss, Grant Steen, and Bob Sanders.
Replacement starters on offense were Drew Tate, Champ Davis, Jermelle Lewis, Calvin Davis, Tony Jackson, Lee Gray, Mike Elgin, and Chris Felder. On defense, Derreck Robinson, Tyler Luebke, George Lewis, and Marcus Paschal assumed their roles on the starting lineup. On special teams, David Bradley returned for his senior season as punter, while Kyle Schlicher replaced Nate Kaeding as the starting kicker.
Rankings
Recruiting class
Iowa signed 21 players on National Signing Day, which was February 4, 2004. The Hawkeyes added another commit to the class with the late addition of defensive lineman Ettore Ewen.
Another recruit, Kyle Williams, later de-committed from the Hawkeyes and committed to the Purdue Boilermakers.
Schedule note
Due to the Big Ten's rotating schedule, the Hawkeyes did not play either Northwestern or Indiana.
Strength of schedule rankings
Depth chart
TE#87 Scott Chandler WR#86 Warren Holloway WR#84 Matt Melloy RB#35 Tom Busch QB#5 Drew Tate WR#8 James Townsend RB#43 Aaron Mickens WR#11 Ed Hinkel RB#21 Albert Young WR#22 Calvin Davis TE#81 Tony Jackson RB#3 Taylor Strube RB#23 Marcus Schnoor