Discover the rich history of the Iowa Hawkeyes Football Championship Seasons, including their 1958 national title, 11 Big 10 championships, and two Rose Bowl victories. Under the direction of legendary Hawkeye coaches, Iowa has been a major force in Big 10 Conference play and on a national level.
The 1958 National Championship Season
The 1958 season remains a legendary chapter in the history of Iowa Hawkeyes football. Under the guidance of Coach Forest Evashevski, the Hawkeyes achieved greatness with an impressive 8-1-1 record, ultimately being named National Champions by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). This season is often remembered for its thrilling performances and notable players who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Their Schedule was RANK
The quest to become 1958 national champions was a difficult task for the Hawkeyes throughout the campaign that saw them face six ranked opponents. Iowa began with a season-opening face off against No. 5 TCU in Iowa City. The game promised to immediately test the home team. However, Iowa threw a shutout 17-0 and went from unranked to 8th in the nation following the win.
A surprising tie against Air Force in week two dropped Iowa to No. 17 in the nation. Week three featured 34-13 home victory over Indiana before wins at No. 4 Wisconsin and No. 8 Northwestern propelled the Coach Evashevski’s squad to a No. 2 National ranking.
Big Wins Before The Ohio State Game
With Iowa fans beginning to visualize the possibility of having their beloved team becoming a national champion, the boys in black and gold went on the road and handed Michigan and Minnesota lopsided losses. With a five game winning streak, a stern test vs Ohio State was now on the docket with the No. 16 Buckeyes set to visit Iowa City.
With 58,643 Iowa fans in attendance, the Iowa Stadium crowd saw the two teams deadlocked at 28 entering the final quarter. However, the 4th stanza favored Ohio State as the Buckeyes scored 10 points to escape with a 38-28 final score.
Finishing the Season on a Roll
Iowa hosted Notre Dame the next week and defeated the No. 15 ranked Fighting Irish 31 to 21 to wrap up the regular season with a 7-1-1 record.
With Iowa having jumped back up to a No. 2 national ranking, the Hawkeyes faced the California Golden Bears in the Rose Bowl game. In front of 98,297 fans in attendance and an NBC nationally televised audience, Iowa won 38-12.
When it came to deciding a national champion, the AP and UPI polls declared undefeated LSU as the national champion. However, the FWAA recognized Iowa’s excellence and awarded them the national title after their dominant Rose Bowl victory
Offensively the 1958 championship squad was led by QB Randy Duncan who earned 1st-Team All-American and Big 10 MVP honors.
Key Highlights
- Final Record: 8-1-1
- Head Coach: Forest Evashevski
- National Championship: Awarded by the FWAA
- Rose Bowl Victory: Defeated California 38-12
Iowa Hawkeyes’ 11 Big Ten Conference Championships
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a rich history of success within the Big Ten Conference, boasting 11 championships that have cemented their legacy in college football. This article will take you through the years the championships were won, the coaches who led the team, and some of the standout players who contributed to these victories.
Iowa Big Championship Seasons
How the ‘West’ Was Won in 1900
Iowa’s First Big Ten Title was garnered in 1900 when Alden Knipe’s squad won what was then known as the Western Conference. The Hawkeyes tied for the league title with a 7-0-1 record, with impressive wins over Chicago and Michigan.
Early Success (1921, 1922)
The Hawkeyes’ next taste of Big Ten glory came under the leadership of Coach Howard Jones. His tenure brought back-to-back championships in 1921 and 1922, laying the foundation for the program’s future successes.
Jones was coach at Iowa from 1916-23 with an overall record of 42-17-1. His coaching tenure included two undefeated and untied teams in 1921, 22, and the Iowa record of most consecutive victories of twenty during 1920, 21, 22, 23 seasons.
The Evashevski Era (1956, 1958, 1960)
Forest Evashevski took the helm in the mid-50s, guiding the team Iowa’s 1958 national title and three conference championships in 1956, 1958, and 1960. Evashevski also led the Hawkeyes to Rose Bowl wins in 1957 and ’59. His leadership brought a renewed vigor to the program, and his innovative strategies on the field left a lasting impact.
The Fry Dynasty (1981, 1985, 1990)
Hayden Fry brought a new era of success when he led the Hawkeyes to championships in 1981 and 1985. Before Fry took Iowa’s head coach position prior to the 1979 season, the program had suffered through 18 straight non-winning seasons. His charismatic leadership and forward-thinking approach transformed Iowa into a powerhouse in college football. He won three Big Ten titles over a 10-year span (1981, ’85, ’90) and went 143-89-6 in 20 seasons at Iowa.
Ferentz’s Reign (2002, 2004)
Kirk Ferentz continued the legacy with Big Ten titles in 2002 and 2004. Known for his meticulous preparation and strong emphasis on fundamentals, Ferentz has been a steady force for the Hawkeyes.
Top Hawkeye Players on Conference Championship Teams
Alex Karras
- Era: 1956 Championship
- Achievements:
- First-Team All-American
- Leader of the 1956 championship squad
- Outland Trophy winner (1957)
Alex Karras was a stalwart on the defensive line, known for his tenacity and skill. His leadership and dominance on the field were crucial in securing the 1956 championship.
Chuck Long
- Era: 1985 Championship
- Achievements:
- Only Iowa football player to rank in the top 10 of Heisman voting twice
- Heisman runner-up to Bo Jackson
- First Big Ten player to surpass 10,000 passing yards
- Contribution:
Chuck Long’s exceptional quarterback play led the Hawkeyes to a 10-1 regular season and a Big Ten title in 1985. His performance was instrumental as the team ranked as high as #1 during the season. The 1985 squad included three NFL First Round Draft Picks – Chuck Long, Ronnie Harmon, and Mike Haight.
Robert Gallery
- Era: 2002 Championship
- Achievements:
- Consensus All-American
- Outland Trophy winner (2003)
- Two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree
- Contribution:
Robert Gallery was a dominant force on the offensive line. His protection and blocking were vital in leading Iowa to the 2002 Big Ten conference title. His accolades and performance earned him recognition as one of the best interior linemen in the nation.
Brad Banks and Dallas Clark
- Era: 2002 Championship
- Achievements:
- Brad Banks:
- Heisman Trophy runner-up
- Davey O’Brien Award winner
- AP College Football Player of the Year
- Dallas Clark:
- John Mackey Award winner (nation’s best tight end)
- Contribution:
