The 1978 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 1978 Big Ten football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Bob Commings, the Hawkeyes compiled a 2–9 record (2–6 in conference games), finished in eighth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 291 to 125.
The 1978 Hawkeyes gained 1,366 rushing yards and 1,083 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 2,054 rushing yards and 1,947 passing yards.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 161. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jeff Green (41-of-103 passing for 556 yards), fullback Jon Lazar (423 rushing yards, 18 receptions for 72 yards), Brad Reid (36 points scored), and linebacker Tom Rusk with 106 total tackles.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, pp. 278-280. Lazar, Rusk, linebacker Tim Gutshall, and defensive back Dave Becker were the team captains.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 220. Split end Brad Reid (168 rushing yards, 322 receiving yards) was selected as the team's most valuable player.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 222.
Two days after the final game of the season, the program's 17th consecutive losing season, Commings was fired. He had compiled a 17–38 record in five years as the Hawkeyes' head football coach. Less than two weeks later, Hayden Fry was introduced as the new head coach.
The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Home attendance totaled 319,289, an average of 53,214 per game.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260.
Schedule
Game summaries Northwestern
Iowa State
At Arizona
Utah
At Minnesota
At Ohio State
Purdue
Michigan
At Indiana
Wisconsin
At Michigan State
Roster
1979 NFL draft
Tom Rusk LB 9 227 New York Giants
References