The 1984 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1984 Big Ten football season. In their sixth year under head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled an 8–4–1 record (5–3–1 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 304 to 184. After a 59–21 victory over Iowa State in the season opener, they were ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, but dropped out of the poll after losing No. 12 Penn State and No. 5 Ohio State in consecutive games. They concluded their season with a 55–17 victory over No. 19 Texas in the Freedom Bowl and were ranked No. 16 in the final AP poll and No. 15 in the final UPI poll.
Key players included: linebacker Larry Station who was a consensus first-team All-American; running back Ronnie Harmon who was selected as the team's most valuable player; and defensive tackle Paul Hufford who was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Seven Iowa players, including Station, Harmon, Hufford, and quarterback Chuck Long received first-team honors on the 1984 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries
Iowa State
Source: Box Score and Game Recap, Box Score and Game Recap
No. 12 Penn State
Source: Box score and Game story, Box Score and Game Recap
at No. 5 Ohio State
Source: Box score and Game story, Box Score
The Hawkeyes outgained the Buckeyes 458–335, but four turnovers (one returned for a touchdown) were too much to overcome on this trip to Columbus. Keith Byars ran, caught, and threw touchdowns for Ohio State.
Illinois
Source: Box score and Game story
The Hawkeyes exacted some revenge for the whipping laid on them in Champaign the previous season. The win over the defending Big Ten champions snapped the Illini's 12-game conference winning streak. Ronnie Harmon had 3 touchdown runs for Iowa.
At Northwestern
Sources: Box Score and Game story
The Hawkeyes held Northwestern to only 49 yards of total offense, a mark that still stands as a single-game school record. Ronnie Harmon recorded 3 touchdown runs for the second straight game.
at No. 14 Purdue
Sources: Box Score and Game story
Chuck Long went 17-21 for 369 yards and 4 TD as Iowa won in West Lafayette for the first time since 1956, snapping a 12-game losing skid at Ross–Ade Stadium.
Michigan
Sources: Box Score and Game story
The Hawkeyes' 26–0 shutout of the Wolverines would end up being Bo Schembechler's worst loss in 21 years as head coach at Michigan.
At Indiana
Source: Box Score and Game Story
Chuck Long set an NCAA record by completing 22 consecutive passes (record stood until 1998) and tossed two touchdowns, and Ronnie Harmon ran for 160 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Indiana. Iowa sat atop the Big Ten standings after beating the Hoosiers, but would not win another conference game in 1984.
Wisconsin
Source: Box Score and Game Story
Michigan State
Source: Box Score and Game Story
At Minnesota
Source: Box Score and Game Story
At Hawaii
Source: Box Score and Game Story
vs. No. 19 Texas (Freedom Bowl)
Source: Box Score
Chuck Long 29–39, 461 yards, 6 TD Iowa Hawkeyes Official Athletic Site
Texas Iowa First downs 15 28 Rushing yards 35-115 41-91 Passing 17-34-2 30-40-0 Passing yards 185 469 Total Offense 300 560 Fumbles Lost 3-3 5-2 Punts-Average 5-43.0 4-42.0 Penalties 6-50 4-27
Team Category Player StatisticsTexas Passing Todd Dodge 16/32, 180 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Orr 12 carries, 67 yards Receiving Bryant 3 receptions, 50 yards, TDIowa Passing Chuck Long 29/39, 461 yards, 6 TD Rushing Owen Gill 17 carries, 61 yards Receiving Robert SmithBill Happel 4 receptions, 115 yards, TD8 receptions, 104 yards, TD
Roster
Statistics
The team gained an average of 215.3 passing yards and 167.8 rushing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 170.5 passing yards and 99.4 rushing yards per game.
Quarterback Chuck Long completed 187 of 283 passes (66.1%) for 2,410 yards, 16 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 147.1 passer rating.
Running back Ronnie Harmon led the team in rushing (907 rushing yards) and touchdowns (12). Owen Gill ranked second in rushing with 859 yards.
Wide receiver Bill Happel led the team in receiving with 39 receptions for 528 yards. Tight end Jonathan Hayes ranked second with 39 receptions for 442 yards, and Ronnie Harmon tallied 32 receptions for 318 yards.
Awards and honors Linebacker Larry Station was a consensus selection on the 1984 All-America college football team, receiving first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Walter Camp Football Foundation, and Kodak (American Football Coaches Association). Station was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Defensive tackle Paul Hufford was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Seven Iowa players received first-team honors on the 1984 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Long at quarterback (AP-1, UPI-1); Harmon at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive linemen Paul Hufford (AP-1, UPI-1) and George Little (AP-1, UPI-1); linebacker Larry Station (AP-1, UPI-1); and defensive backs Mike Stoops (AP-1, UPI-1) and Devon Mitchell (AP-1).
1985 NFL draft
Jonathan Hayes Tight end 2 41 Kansas City Chiefs Owen Gill Running back 2 53 Seattle Seahawks George Little Defensive tackle 3 65 Miami Dolphins Dave Strobel Linebacker 8 211 Cincinnati Bengals
References