The 2003 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Following a 2002 season that saw the Hawkeyes finish 11–2 with a Big Ten Conference championship, expectations for a third straight bowl game were well warranted. With four offensive starters and seven defensive starters returning from the 2002 season, the Hawkeyes looked to be a primarily defensive team going into the season.
The Hawkeyes opened the season strong, winning games over Miami (OH), Buffalo, Iowa State and Arizona State en route to a 4–0 record. Undefeated and ranked ninth in the country, the Hawkeyes headed into East Lansing, Michigan for their Big Ten opener. Playing a Michigan State Spartans team that had just beaten Notre Dame a week earlier, the Hawkeyes turned the ball over four times and committed ten penalties in a 20–10 loss. However, with Michigan next up on the schedule, things would get no easier for the Hawkeyes. Before the game, Michigan held a 37–9–4 lead in the series between the two teams.
Down by 14 in the first quarter for the second straight game, the Hawkeyes came back to take a 30–20 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Michigan threatened the Iowa lead late, but the Hawkeyes held on for the 30–27 victory. After the victory, Iowa lost on the road to Ohio State, but followed with home wins over Illinois and Penn State. With a loss to Purdue, Iowa's record was 7–3 with two regular season games remaining. Playing against Minnesota and the Big Ten's top-ranked offense, the Hawkeyes scored 33 points before the Gophers scored a touchdown.
Following the 40–22 victory, the Hawkeyes fell behind unranked Wisconsin 21–7 during the second quarter. Needing a pass deflection in the end zone by Sean Considine with no time remaining, the Hawkeyes scored 20 straight points and escaped with a 27–21 win and a 9–3 regular season record. Playing in the 2004 Outback Bowl on January 1, 2004, the Hawkeyes won their first game in the state of Florida with a 37–17 victory over the Florida Gators. The win was also Iowa's first in the month of January since 1959.
Schedule
Rankings
Before the season Recruiting class On National Signing Day, February 5, 2003, the Hawkeyes signed 22 players on football scholarships.
Preseason rankings Entering the season, Iowa was unranked by both major polls. However, the Hawkeyes would debut in the Coaches Poll as the 25th-ranked team before their first game against Miami University.
Game summaries Miami (OH)
Source: Box Score
Future NFL star Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted four times on this opening day victory for the Hawkeyes. The win would prove more impressive as the season progressed as the Redhawks went on to win their last 13 games and were the eventual MAC conference champion.
Statistics M-OHIOWA First downs 22 17 Total yards 304 361 Rushing yards 54 232 Passing yards 250 129 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 33:34 26:26
Buffalo
Source: Box Score
Nathan Chandler and the Iowa offense were unstoppable in this one-sided affair. Future NFL player Sean Considine returned a fumble for a touchdown and Ramon Ochoa returned a punt 70 yards for a score as well as the Hawkeyes were clicking in every phase of the game.
Statistics BUFIOWA First downs 19 28 Total yards 285 442 Rushing yards 227 292 Passing yards 58 150 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 31:52 28:08
at Iowa State
Source: Box Score
Iowa was able to end the five-year losing streak to their in-state rival in this dominant win. Iowa State had the ball for almost 10 more minutes but the Hawkeyes held them to just a touchdown through the first three quarters of play. Four field goals by future NFL kicker Nate Kaeding kept Iowa in control throughout the game.
Statistics IOWAISU First downs 10 22 Total yards 243 390 Rushing yards 171 71 Passing yards 72 319 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 25:23 34:37
No. 16 Arizona State
Source: Box Score
After surrendering a safety early, the Hawkeyes made sure they were the only team to score for the remainder of the game. Nathan Chandler threw three touchdowns on the day with two of them going to Ramon Ochoa. The Iowa defense clamped down on the Sun Devils, allowing only 184 total yards and just 24 rushing yards. Iowa was off to a 40 start for the first time since 1997.
Statistics ASUIOWA First downs 12 19 Total yards 184 307 Rushing yards 24 153 Passing yards 160 154 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 26:40 33:20
at Michigan State
Source: Box Score
Four turnovers had the Hawkeyes playing from behind all day. A Nate Kaeding field goal early in the third quarter made it a one possession game, but the Iowa offense was unable to score again. Michigan State went on to start 40 in Big Ten play and vault to No. 9 in the AP poll before a late season slide.
Statistics IOWAMSU First downs 14 17 Total yards 265 263 Rushing yards 107 45 Passing yards 158 218 Turnovers 4 0 Time of possession 26:47 33:13
No. 9 Michigan
Source: Box Score
After the loss to Sparty, Iowa put together their impressive win in the season by handing the eventual conference champion Wolverines their only Big Ten loss.
Statistics MICHIOWA First downs 18 14 Total yards 463 295 Rushing yards 74 100 Passing yards 389 195 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 29:04 30:56
at No. 8 Ohio State
Source: Box Score
All three touchdowns scored in this slugfest came on special teams plays. While holding Ohio State to just 185 yards of offense, Iowa made too many mistakes to overtake the Buckeyes in Columbus.
Statistics IOWAOSU First downs 15 11 Total yards 219 185 Rushing yards 66 56 Passing yards 153 129 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 29:52 30:08
Penn State
Source: Box Score
Statistics PSUIOWA First downs 9 20 Total yards 176 386 Rushing yards 38 212 Passing yards 138 174 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 26:49 33:11
Illinois
Source: Box Score
The Hawkeyes rolled up over 500 yards of total offense in a balanced attack and thorough dismantling of the Illini.
Statistics ILLIOWA First downs 12 24 Total yards 265 505 Rushing yards 59 244 Passing yards 206 261 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 23:49 36:11
at No. 16 Purdue
Statistics IOWAPUR First downs 16 16 Total yards 301 321 Rushing yards 98 154 Passing yards 203 167 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 28:19 31:41
No. 19 Minnesota
Source: Box Score
Coming off a loss to the Boilermakers, No. 19 Minnesota didn't stand a chance in Kinnick Stadium. Two Rhys Lloyd field goals gave the Gophers a 6–3 lead before the Hawkeyes rattled off 37 straight points. Iowa led 40–6 before two Minnesota TDs in the last five minutes.
Statistics MINNIOWA First downs 29 15 Total yards 563 344 Rushing yards 175 134 Passing yards 388 210 Turnovers 5 1 Time of possession 35:34 25:26
at Wisconsin
Source: Box Score
Statistics IOWAWIS First downs 9 17 Total yards 267 365 Rushing yards 201 171 Passing yards 66 194 Turnovers 3 4 Time of possession 27:15 32:45
vs. No. 17 Florida (Outback Bowl)
Source: Box Score
A Chris Leak-led Florida team had the initial score in Iowa's first Outback Bowl appearance but from that point the game belonged to the Hawkeyes. Iowa scored 27 unanswered points and put up over 400 yards of total offense as they controlled the ball and field position for the majority of the contest.
Statistics IOWAUF First downs 22 16 Total yards 408 325 Rushing yards 238 57 Passing yards 170 268 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 34:10 25:50
Roster
Postseason awards Robert Gallery - Winner of the Outland Trophy, presented to the nation's best interior lineman. Also received consensus first-team All-American honors. Nate Kaeding - First-team All-American honors at kicker, along with Nick Browne (TCU) and Drew Dunning (Washington State).
Team players in the 2004 NFL draft
Robert Gallery Tackle1 2 Oakland Raiders Bob Sanders Free Safety2 44 Indianapolis Colts Nate Kaeding Kicker3 65 San Diego Chargers Jared Clauss Defensive Tackle7 230 Tennessee Titans Erik Jensen Tight End7 237 St. Louis Rams
References