# 2018 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

The 2018 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by Kirk Ferentz in his 20th season as head coach.
Iowa began the year with six wins in their first seven games, with their sole loss during that span coming in their conference opener against Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes rose to 18th in the AP Poll, but lost three consecutive games to knock them from the polls. They ended the regular season with two more wins to finish tied for second in the West Division with a conference record of 5–4. They were invited to the 2019 Outback Bowl, where they defeated Mississippi State. Iowa finished with a record of 9–4 and were ranked 25th in the final AP Poll, their first ranked finish and highest win total since 2015.
Quarterback Nate Stanley led the team in passing with 2,852 yards and 26 touchdowns, good for second in the Big Ten Conference in the latter category. The Hawkeyes featured two standout tight ends, with Noah Fant and T. J. Hockenson both earning first-team all-conference honors. Hockenson was awarded the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end. Iowa became the first school to have two tight ends chosen in the first round of an NFL Draft when Hockenson and Fant were both selected in the first 20 picks of the 2019 NFL draft. Defensive end A. J. Epenesa led the Big Ten in both sacks and forced fumbles. He was joined on the all-conference first-team by safety Amani Hooker, who was named the Big Ten's Defensive Back of the Year.

## Offseason
### Recruiting
#### Position key

| Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB |
| Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E |
| Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K |
| Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB |
| Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB |
| Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |

#### 2018 commitments

The Hawkeyes signed a total of 23 recruits.
College recruiting information (2018) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Seth Benson LB | Sioux Falls, SD | Washington High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Dec 21, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| JuJu Brents S | Indianapolis, IN | Warren Central High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | Sep 1, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Dallas Creddieth S | Florissant, MO | Hazelwood Central High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | Dec 20, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Dillon Doyle LB | Iowa City, IA | Iowa City West High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Mar 20, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Samson Evans B | Crystal Lake, IL | Prairie Ridge High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | May 21, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Henry Geil RB | Green Bay, WI | Preble High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | Apr 23, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Cody Ince OT | Balsam Lake, WI | Unity High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Jun 19, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jeff Jenkins OG | Crystal Lake, IL | Prairie Ridge High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 269 lb (122 kg) | Jan 22, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| D.J. Johnson CB | Indianapolis, IN | North Central High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Aug 22, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Logan Klemp B | Jewell, IA | South Hamilton High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Feb 2, 2018 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tyler Linderbaum DT | Solon, IA | Solon High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 262 lb (119 kg) | May 1, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Calvin Lockett WR | Largo, FL | Largo High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Dec 13, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jayden McDonald LB | Suwanee, GA | North Gwinnett High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | Feb 5, 2018 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Kaevon Merriweather S | Belleville, MI | Belleville High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Feb 2, 2018 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Riley Moss S | Ankeny, IA | Ankeny Centennial High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | Dec 20, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Daviyon Nixon DT | Kenosha, WI | Iowa Western Community College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 289 lb (131 kg) | Feb 2, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Spencer Petras QB | Kentfield, CA | Marin Catholic High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | Dec 15, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jack Plumb OT | Green Bay, WI | Bay Port High School | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Jul 26, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Nico Ragaini B | Avon, CT | Avon High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jan 8, 2018 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Terry Roberts CB | Erie, PA | Cathedral Prep High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 169 lb (77 kg) | Jun 6, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Noah Shannon DT | Oswego, IL | Oswego High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 305 lb (138 kg) | Jul 4, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB | Indianapolis, IN | Decatur Central High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Apr 29, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| John Waggoner DE | West Des Moines | Dowling Catholic High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Dec 5, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Iowa Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "2018 Iowa Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018. |||||||

## Preseason
### Award watch lists

| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| Lott Trophy | Anthony Nelson | DE | JR |
| Chuck Bednarik Award | Anthony Nelson | DE | JR |
| Rimington Trophy | Keegan Render | C | SR |
| Maxwell Award | Nate Stanley | QB | JR |
| John Mackey Award | Noah Fant | TE | JR |
| John Mackey Award | T. J. Hockenson | TE | SO |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Anthony Nelson | DE | JR |
| Walter Camp Award | Noah Fant | TE | JR |
| Ted Hendricks Award | Anthony Nelson | DE | JR |
| Manning Award | Nate Stanley | QB | JR |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | 2:30 p.m. | Northern Illinois* | | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA | BTN | W 33–7 | 67,510 |
| September 8 | 4:00 p.m. | Iowa State* | | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA (Cy-Hawk Trophy) | FOX | W 13–3 | 69,250 |
| September 15 | 6:30 p.m. | No. 21 (FCS) Northern Iowa* | | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA | BTN | W 38–14 | 69,250 |
| September 22 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 18 Wisconsin | | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA (Heartland Trophy) | FOX | L 17–28 | 69,250 |
| October 6 | 2:30 p.m. | at Minnesota | | TCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MN (Floyd of Rosedale) | BTN | W 48–31 | 48,199 |
| October 13 | 11:00 a.m. | at Indiana | | Memorial StadiumBloomington, IN | ESPN2 | W 42–16 | 40,512 |
| October 20 | 11:00 a.m. | Maryland | No. 19 | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA | ESPN2 | W 23–0 | 69,250 |
| October 27 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 17 Penn State | No. 18 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA | ESPN | L 24–30 | 105,244 |
| November 3 | 2:30 p.m. | at Purdue | No. 16 | Ross–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, IN | ESPN2 | L 36–38 | 60,716 |
| November 10 | 2:30 p.m. | Northwestern | No. 21 | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA | FOX | L 10–14 | 66,493 |
| November 17 | 2:30 p.m. | at Illinois | | Memorial StadiumChampaign, IL | BTN | W 63–0 | 33,313 |
| November 23 | 11:00 a.m. | Nebraska | | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA (Heroes Trophy) | FOX | W 31–28 | 65,299 |
| January 1 | 11:00 a.m. | vs. No. 18 Mississippi State* | | Raymond James StadiumTampa, FL (Outback Bowl) | ESPN2 | W 27–22 | 40,518 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after October 30 released prior to gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||
Source

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 19 | 18 | 19 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 25 |
| Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 18 | 18 | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 16 | 21 | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Game summaries
### Northern Illinois

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| • Hawkeyes | 0 | 3 | 14 | 16 | 33 |
After a slow start, the Hawkeyes scored touchdowns on three straight possessions en route to a 30-point second half. The win was the 144th for head coach Kirk Ferentz, making him the all-time winningest coach in Iowa football history. After an opening drive 3 and out for the Hawkeyes, NIU blocked the punt and had the ball at the Iowa 20. However, a missed field goal swung momentum back to the home team. The only first half points came on a 33-yard field goal from Hawkeye kicker Miguel Recinos. After a slow 3rd quarter, Heisman hopeful Nate Stanley threw his first touchdown of the year, a 1-yard pitch-and-catch to tight end Noah Fant. On the ensuing drive, running back Ivory Kelly-Martin barreled in on a 3rd and goal play to make it 17–0 going into the 4th quarter. After another short field, Toren Young found pay dirt on a 6-yard effort, and it was 24–0 Iowa. After a great punt by Colton Rastetter, NIU got the ball inside their own 1 yard line. on 2nd down, the Hawkeyes forced a safety, and after getting the ball back off the safety punt, backup quarterback Peyton Mansell got his first career touchdown on a quarterback sneak. After Iowa put their 2nd team defense in, the Huskies marched down the field in an impressive 11 play, 75 yard drive to put some late points on the scoreboard. Iowa shook off the slow 1st half and routed NIU 33–7 inside of Kinnick Stadium during the annual Gold Game.
| Statistics | NIU | IOWA |
| First downs | 15 | 18 |
| Total yards | 211 | 352 |
| Rushing yards | 101 | 209 |
| Passing yards | 110 | 143 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:15 | 34:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northern Illinois | Passing | Marcus Childers | 14/25, 105 yards, TD, INT |
| Northern Illinois | Rushing | Jordan Nettles | 13 carries, 74 yards |
| Northern Illinois | Receiving | D. J. Brown | 5 receptions, 38 yards |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 11/23, 108 yards, TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Toren Young | 8 carries, 84 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 4 receptions, 64 yards |

### Iowa State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cyclones | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| • Hawkeyes | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
Neither offense could get going in this in-state rivalry contest. Iowa was the only team to find the endzone and with only a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. An A. J. Epenesa strip-sack sealed this low-scoring affair to keep the Cy-Hawk trophy in Iowa City for a fourth straight year.
| Statistics | ISU | IOWA |
| First downs | 11 | 14 |
| Total yards | 188 | 271 |
| Rushing yards | 19 | 105 |
| Passing yards | 169 | 166 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 28:25 | 31:35 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Iowa State | Passing | Kyle Kempt | 15/21, 126 yards |
| Iowa State | Rushing | David Montgomery | 17 carries, 44 yards |
| Iowa State | Receiving | Hakeem Butler | 3 receptions, 35 yards |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 16/28, 166 yards |
| Iowa | Rushing | Toren Young | 21 carries, 68 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 6 receptions, 33 yards |

### Northern Iowa

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 21 (FCS) Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| • Hawkeyes | 7 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 38 |
The Panthers were able to play with the Hawkeyes for a while but Iowa's depth proved to be ultimately overwhelming for FCS opponent Northern Iowa. Iowa ended the game with nearly 550 yards of total offense and the final score wasn't indicative of how one-sided this match-up was as the Hawkeyes played their second string for most of the fourth quarter. Iowa's defense had a relentless effort holding Northern Iowa to minus-2 rushing yards in the first half.
| Statistics | UNI | IOWA |
| First downs | 14 | 27 |
| Total yards | 228 | 545 |
| Rushing yards | 6 | 207 |
| Passing yards | 222 | 338 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 23:26 | 36:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northern Iowa | Passing | Eli Dunne | 18/28, 200 yards, 2 TD |
| Northern Iowa | Rushing | Trevor Allen | 13 carries, 27 yards |
| Northern Iowa | Receiving | Briley Moore | 5 receptions, 32 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 23/28, 309 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Toren Young | 14 carries, 82 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Receiving | Nick Easley | 10 receptions, 103 yards, TD |

### No. 18 Wisconsin

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 18 Badgers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Hawkeyes | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Statistics | WIS | IOWA |
| First downs | 19 | 19 |
| Total yards | 415 | 404 |
| Rushing yards | 210 | 148 |
| Passing yards | 205 | 256 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 35:13 | 24:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wisconsin | Passing | Alex Hornibrook | 17/22, 205 yards, 3 TD |
| Wisconsin | Rushing | Jonathan Taylor | 25 carries, 113 yards |
| Wisconsin | Receiving | Jake Ferguson | 4 receptions, 58 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 14/23, 256 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Ivory Kelly-Martin | 14 carries, 72 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 3 receptions, 125 yards |

### At Minnesota

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Hawkeyes | 14 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 48 |
| Golden Gophers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
The Hawkeyes spoiled the Gophers' homecoming in this high-scoring rivalry game. A signature play of the game came on a fake field goal trick play in which T. J. Hockenson took a lateral pass in for a touchdown which helped Iowa secure a lead going into halftime. The play is called "Herky" and was a New Kirk era technique that had yet to be implemented. The Hawks prevailed to keep Floyd of Rosedale in Iowa City for a fourth year in a row.
| Statistics | IOWA | MINN |
| First downs | 18 | 20 |
| Total yards | 420 | 320 |
| Rushing yards | 106 | 86 |
| Passing yards | 314 | 234 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 33:17 | 26:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 23/39, 314 yards, 4 TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Ivory Kelly-Martin | 20 carries, 47 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | Nick Easley | 6 receptions, 52 yards, TD |
| Minnesota | Passing | Zack Annexstad | 17/33, 218 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Minnesota | Rushing | Mohamed Ibrahim | 13 carries, 62 yards |
| Minnesota | Receiving | Rashod Bateman | 7 receptions, 65 yards, 2 TD |

### At Indiana

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Hawkeyes | 14 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Hoosiers | 3 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
Nate Stanley became the third Iowa quarterback to throw six touchdown passes in a single game. Tight ends T. J. Hockenson and Noah Fant each had over 100 yards receiving, totaling eight receptions for 208 yards and three TD.
| Statistics | IOWA | IU |
| First downs | 26 | 22 |
| Total yards | 479 | 330 |
| Rushing yards | 159 | 67 |
| Passing yards | 320 | 263 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:10 | 26:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 21/32, 320 yards, 6 TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Toren Young | 19 carries, 96 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 4 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD |
| Indiana | Passing | Peyton Ramsey | 31/42, 263 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Indiana | Rushing | Stevie Scott | 8 carries, 29 yards |
| Indiana | Receiving | Reese Taylor | 6 receptions, 28 yards |

### Maryland

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Terrapins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • No. 19 Hawkeyes | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
Iowa held visitor Maryland to just 115 yards of total offense in this shutout homecoming victory. Iowa did struggle to find the end zone but three Miguel Recinos field goals kept Iowa in the driver's seat for most of the way.
| Statistics | UMD | IOWA |
| First downs | 7 | 22 |
| Total yards | 115 | 310 |
| Rushing yards | 68 | 224 |
| Passing yards | 47 | 86 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 19:05 | 40:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Maryland | Passing | Kasim Hill | 6/15, 47 yards, INT |
| Maryland | Rushing | Javon Leake | 1 carry, 16 yards |
| Maryland | Receiving | Ty Johnson | 2 receptions, 2 yards |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 11/22, 86 yards, TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Ivory Kelly-Martin | 24 carries, 98 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 3 receptions, 30 yards |

### At No. 17 Penn State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Hawkeyes | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| • No. 17 Nittany Lions | 7 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
Iowa went up 12–0 early and scored their first 14 points of the game on special teams plays (two safeties, a TD pass on a fake field goal and point after, and a Miguel Recinos field goal). After trailing 14–7, Penn State scored 20 of the next 23 points to lead 27–17. A pick six from Pennsylvania native Geno Stone brought the Hawks to within 27–24 with 10 minutes remaining, but a bad interception on a first and goal from the 3-yard line with just over 3 minutes remaining doomed Iowa's hopes of a road victory.
| Statistics | IOWA | PSU |
| First downs | 23 | 16 |
| Total yards | 350 | 312 |
| Rushing yards | 135 | 118 |
| Passing yards | 215 | 194 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 35:18 | 24:42 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 18/49, 205 yards, 2 INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Mekhi Sargent | 16 carries, 91 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | Noah Fant | 5 receptions, 56 yards |
| Penn State | Passing | Trace McSorley | 11/25, 167 yards, TD, INT |
| Penn State | Rushing | Trace McSorley | 12 carries, 63 yards, TD |
| Penn State | Receiving | K. J. Hamler | 5 receptions, 96 yards |

### At Purdue

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 19 Hawkeyes | 7 | 10 | 6 | 13 | 36 |
| • Boilermakers | 14 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 38 |
| Statistics | IOWA | PUR |
| First downs | 22 | 21 |
| Total yards | 393 | 434 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 101 |
| Passing yards | 275 | 333 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:57 | 26:03 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 21/32, 275 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Rushing | Toren Young | 9 carries, 45 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD |
| Purdue | Passing | David Blough | 23/32, 333 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT |
| Purdue | Rushing | Markell Jones | 14 carries, 40 yards, TD |
| Purdue | Receiving | Terry Wright | 6 receptions, 146 yards, 3 TD |

### Northwestern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wildcats | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Hawkeyes | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Statistics | NW | IOWA |
| First downs | 19 | 16 |
| Total yards | 306 | 333 |
| Rushing yards | 184 | 64 |
| Passing yards | 122 | 269 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 31:06 | 28:54 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northwestern | Passing | Clayton Thorson | 15/30, 122 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Northwestern | Rushing | Isaiah Bowser | 31 carries, 165 yards, TD |
| Northwestern | Receiving | Cameron Green | 5 receptions, 30 yards |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 27/41, 269 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Rushing | Mekhi Sargent | 10 carries, 27 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | Nick Easley | 8 receptions, 53 yards |

### At Illinois

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Hawkeyes | 7 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 63 |
| Fighting Illini | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kirk Ferentz recorded his 150th win at Iowa, the 5th head coach in Big Ten history to reach the mark, in this blowout victory over Illinois. After a sluggish start in the first quarter, Iowa dominated in every phase of the game the rest of the way. Not only scoring on offense but on defense and special teams as well.
| Statistics | IOWA | ILL |
| First downs | 20 | 11 |
| Total yards | 400 | 216 |
| Rushing yards | 203 | 134 |
| Passing yards | 197 | 82 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 28:43 | 31:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 13/21, 178 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Mekhi Sargent | 17 carries, 121 yards, 2 TD |
| Iowa | Receiving | Noah Fant | 3 receptions, 54 yards, TD |
| Illinois | Passing | AJ Bush | 12/28, 82 yards, 2 INT |
| Illinois | Rushing | RaVon Bonner | 21 carries, 96 yards |
| Illinois | Receiving | Ricky Smalling | 3 receptions, 27 yards |

### Nebraska

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cornhuskers | 7 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 28 |
| • Hawkeyes | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
Iowa led the whole way until the final minutes of this nail-biting victory. Nebraska never backed down and tied the game up with 3:22 to play. Miguel Recinos kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to keep the Heroes Trophy in Iowa City for the fourth year in a row.
| Statistics | NEB | IOWA |
| First downs | 24 | 25 |
| Total yards | 400 | 419 |
| Rushing yards | 140 | 266 |
| Passing yards | 260 | 153 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:19 | 34:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nebraska | Passing | Adrian Martinez | 26/38, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Nebraska | Rushing | Adrian Martinez | 17 carries, 76 yards, TD |
| Nebraska | Receiving | M. Washington | 7 receptions, 102 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 16/27, 152 yards, 2 TD |
| Iowa | Rushing | Mekhi Sargent | 26 carries, 173 yards, TD |
| Iowa | Receiving | T. J. Hockenson | 5 receptions, 54 yards |

### Vs. No. 18 Mississippi State (Outback Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Bulldogs | 6 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 22 |
| • Hawkeyes | 0 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
In a back-and-forth game, Iowa held on to defeat SEC opponent Mississippi State. Senior Jake Gervase made a critical interception in the end zone, and batted down a fourth down pass to end the Bulldogs' hopes. The victory was Ferentz's fifth January bowl win and eighth overall bowl victory.
| Statistics | MS | IOWA |
| First downs | 15 | 11 |
| Total yards | 342 | 199 |
| Rushing yards | 190 | –15 |
| Passing yards | 152 | 214 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:34 | 26:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Nick Fitzgerald | 14/32, 152 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | Nick Fitzgerald | 20 carries, 103 yards, TD |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | Aeris Williams | 3 receptions, 19 yards |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 21/31, 214 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Iowa | Rushing | Toren Young | 3 carries, 7 yards |
| Iowa | Receiving | Nick Easley | 8 receptions, 104 yards, 2 TD |

## Awards and honors

Individual Awards :
| Player | Award | Ref. |
| T. J. Hockenson | John Mackey Award Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year | [47] [48] |
| Amani Hooker | Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year | |
| Ihmir Smith-Marsette | Rodgers–Dwight Return Specialist of the Year | |
All-Big Ten :
| Player | Position | Coaches | Media |
| Amani Hooker | DB | 1 | 1 |
| Noah Fant | TE | 1 | 2 |
| T. J. Hockenson | TE | 2 | 1 |
| A. J. Epenesa | DL | 2 | 1 |
| Ihmir Smith-Marsette | KR | 2 | 1 |
| Alaric Jackson | OT | 2 | 2 |
| Ross Reynolds | OG | 2 | 3 |
| Anthony Nelson | DL | 3 | 2 |
| Keegan Render | C | HM | 3 |
| Tristan Wirfs | OT | HM | HM |
| Jake Gervase | DB | HM | HM |
| Matt Nelson | DL | HM | HM |
| Miguel Recinos | K | HM | HM |
| Ihmir Smith-Marsette | WR | – | HM |
| Parker Hesse | DL | – | HM |
| Geno Stone | DB | – | HM |
| HM = Honorable mention. Reference: ||||

## Players in the 2019 NFL Draft

| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| T. J. Hockenson | TE | 1 | 8 | Detroit Lions |
| Noah Fant | TE | 1 | 20 | Denver Broncos |
| Anthony Nelson | DE | 4 | 107 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Amani Hooker | S | 4 | 116 | Tennessee Titans |