2017 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

The 2017 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hawkeyes, led by 19th-year head coach Kirk Ferentz, were members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. They finished the season 8–5, 4–5 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for third place in the West Division. They received an invite to the Pinstripe Bowl where they defeated [2017 2017 Boston College Eagles football team|Boston College Eagles football team|Boston College].
The Iowa football program was awarded Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award for the Kinnick Wave, a new tradition that began during the season, where, at the end of the first quarter of every home game everyone in the stadium turned and waved to the young patients watching from the Stead Family Children's Hospital, which overlooks Kinnick Stadium. This season marked the first time since 1980 that the Tigerhawk logo was displayed at midfield in Kinnick Stadium.

Offseason

Recruiting

2017 commitments

The Hawkeyes signed a total of 22 recruits.

Schedule

Iowa announced its 2017 football schedule on July 11, 2013. The 2017 schedule consisted of seven home and five away games in the regular season. The Hawkeyes hosted Big Ten foes Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, and Purdue, and traveled to Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin.
The team hosted two non–conference games against the Wyoming Cowboys from the Mountain West Conference and the North Texas Mean Green from Conference USA. Sandwiched between those matchups was a trip to Ames for the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game against the Iowa State Cyclones from the Big 12 Conference.
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Game summaries

Wyoming

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Iowa opened up the 2017 football season against the Wyoming Cowboys and highly rated Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. The Hawkeyes got off to a slow start, but after Wyoming punter Tim Zaleski missed the ball on the attempted punt, the Hawkeyes took a 14–3 lead at the half. Iowa built on the momentum with a 45-yard pass from first-year starter Nate Stanley to wide receiver Nick Easley. Iowa wins the season opener 24–3. Iowa's defense impressed many, holding Josh Allen to only 174 yards and 17 incompletions, and a quarterback rating of 24.9. Iowa defense also picked off Allen twice.
This game marked the debut of the "Kinnick Wave", a new Iowa football tradition in which fans turn toward the children's hospital that overlooks the playing field at the end of the first quarter and wave to patients and their families watching the game from the hospital.

Statistics	WYO	IOWA
First downs	15	16
Total yards	233	263
Rushing yards	59	138
Passing yards	174	125
Turnovers	2	4
Time of possession	31:06	28:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Wyoming	Passing	Josh Allen	23/40, 174 yards, 2 INT
Wyoming	Rushing	Milo Hall	9 carries, 30 yards
Wyoming	Receiving	Austin Conway	7 receptions, 47 yards
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	8/15, 125 yards, 3 TD, INT
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	24 carries, 116 yards
Iowa	Receiving	Nick Easley	4 receptions, 77 yards, TD

At Iowa State

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Iowa's first rivalry game of the year was the Cy-Hawk series against Big 12 foe Iowa State fresh off a 42–3 beatdown in Iowa City the past year. ISU's 2nd year coach Matt Campbell referred to Iowa as the "team out east" in pregame preparations. This game had a relatively slow beginning and Iowa appeared to be in control well into the third quarter. However, Iowa State's offense exploded and put up 28 points in the second half. The game ultimately went to OT and the "team out east" prevailed with a Nate Stanley touchdown pass.

Statistics	IOWA	IOWA ST
First downs	29	22
Total yards	497	467
Rushing yards	164	120
Passing yards	333	347
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	37:07	22:53

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	27/41, 333 yards, 5 TD
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	28 carries, 118 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	Nick Easley	7 receptions, 48 yards, TD
Iowa State	Passing	Jacob Park	25/46, 347 yards, 4 TD, INT
Iowa State	Rushing	David Montgomery	20 carries, 112 yards, TD
Iowa State	Receiving	Allen Lazard	6 receptions, 23 yards, 2 TD

North Texas

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After an emotional win from a week prior, Iowa got off to a sluggish start though ultimately pulled away to start out 3–0.

Statistics	UNT	IOWA
First downs	17	28
Total yards	305	435
Rushing yards	112	238
Passing yards	193	197
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	19:15	40:45

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Texas	Passing	Mason Fine	16/26, 167 yards, INT
North Texas	Rushing	Jeff Wilson	12 carries, 95 yards, TD
North Texas	Receiving	Turner Smiley	4 receptions, 74 yards
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	16/27, 197 yards, 2 TD
Iowa	Rushing	Toren Young	19 carries, 78 yards
Iowa	Receiving	Nick Easley	5 receptions, 37 yards

No. 4 Penn State

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Statistics	PSU	IOWA
First downs	29	11
Total yards	579	273
Rushing yards	295	82
Passing yards	284	191
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	39:39	20:21

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Penn State	Passing	Trace McSorley	31/44, 284 yards, TD, INT
Penn State	Rushing	Saquon Barkley	28 carries, 211 yards, TD
Penn State	Receiving	Saquon Barkley	12 receptions, 94 yards
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	13/22, 191 yards, 2 TD
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	19 carries, 80 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	Akrum Wadley	4 receptions, 75 yards, TD

At Michigan State

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Statistics	IOWA	MSU
First downs	11	19
Total yards	231	300
Rushing yards	19	88
Passing yards	212	212
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	26:26	33:34

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	16/31, 197 yards
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	17 carries, 30 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	T. J. Hockenson	3 receptions, 46 yards
Michigan State	Passing	Brian Lewerke	18/28, 212 yards, 2 TD
Michigan State	Rushing	Brian Lewerke	12 carries, 42 yards
Michigan State	Receiving	Felton Davis III	9 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD

Illinois

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Illinois played with Iowa well into the third quarter. The Hawkeyes appeared lethargic but a Brandon Snyder interception sparked an Iowa rally and they dominated the rest of the way.

Statistics	ILL	IOWA
First downs	20	20
Total yards	446	441
Rushing yards	200	191
Passing yards	246	250
Turnovers	4	2
Time of possession	31:40	28:20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Illinois	Passing	Jeff George Jr.	22–45, 246 yards, 3 INT
Illinois	Rushing	Mike Epstein	7 carries, 83 yards
Illinois	Receiving	Carmoni Green	4 receptions, 28 yards
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	17–32, 247 yards, 3 TD, INT
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	23 carries, 115 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	Nick Easley	7 receptions, 59 yards, TD

At Northwestern

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Statistics	IOWA	NW
First downs	14	21
Total yards	312	339
Rushing yards	89	147
Passing yards	223	192
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	30:44	29:16

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	19/33, 223 yards, TD, INT
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	26 carries, 90 yards
Iowa	Receiving	Matt VandeBerg	3 receptions, 90 yards
Northwestern	Passing	Clayton Thorson	21/36, 192 yards
Northwestern	Rushing	Justin Jackson	25 carries, 93 yards
Northwestern	Receiving	Macan Wilson	5 receptions, 47 yards

Minnesota

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Iowa won their third in a row in this rivalry contest.

Statistics	MINN	IOWA
First downs	15	15
Total yards	281	315
Rushing yards	142	125
Passing yards	139	190
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	31:13	28:47

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing	Demry Croft	9–29, 139 yards, INT
Minnesota	Rushing	Rodney Smith	15 carries, 82 yards
Minnesota	Receiving	Tyler Johnson	4 receptions, 92 yards
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	15–27, 190 yards, TD, INT
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	16 carries, 70 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	Noah Fant	3 receptions, 67 yards, TD

No. 6 Ohio State

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Iowa was able to defeat Ohio State for the first time since 2004 in this blowout victory. The Buckeyes played with the Hawkeyes for most of the first half but from there the game belonged to Iowa. It was one of the most impressive wins of the Ferentz era and Nate Stanley's most distinguished to that point as well. Tight ends Noah Fant and T. J. Hockenson combined for 9 receptions, 125 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Defensive back and future NFL player Josh Jackson also had an outstanding game, tying an Iowa school record with three interceptions.

Statistics	OSU	IOWA
First downs	20	24
Total yards	371	487
Rushing yards	163	243
Passing yards	208	244
Turnovers	4	0
Time of possession	25:09	34:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ohio State	Passing	J. T. Barrett	18/34, 208 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT
Ohio State	Rushing	J. T. Barrett	14 carries, 63 yards
Ohio State	Receiving	J. K. Dobbins	5 receptions, 25 yards
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	20/31, 226 yards, 5 TD
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	20 carries, 118 yards
Iowa	Receiving	T. J. Hockenson	5 receptions, 71 yards, 2 TD

At No. 8 Wisconsin

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One week after the unexpected domination of Ohio State, the Hawkeye offense struggled terribly in Madison with 66 yards of total offense coming on 50 plays. Josh Jackson continued his torrid run with two interceptions both returned for touchdowns.

Statistics	IOWA	WIS
First downs	5	18
Total yards	66	382
Rushing yards	25	247
Passing yards	41	135
Turnovers	3	4
Time of possession	21:33	38:27

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	8/24, 41 yards, INT
Iowa	Rushing	James Butler	8 carries, 30 yards
Iowa	Receiving	Nick Easley	2 receptions, 19 yards
Wisconsin	Passing	Alex Hornibrook	11/18, 135 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Wisconsin	Rushing	Jonathan Taylor	29 carries, 157 yards
Wisconsin	Receiving	Danny Davis	4 receptions, 74 yards

Purdue

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The Boilermakers spoiled Senior Day in Iowa City by employing an effective tactic from the Jeff Brohm-era against Iowa find a mismatch in the passing game and continue to exploit it. Purdue's Anthony Mahoungou had 7 receptions for 135 yards and 2 TD.

Statistics	PUR	IOWA
First downs	20	17
Total yards	294	258
Rushing yards	65	82
Passing yards	229	176
Turnovers	0	2
Time of possession	26:17	33:43

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Purdue	Passing	Elijah Sindelar	22/37, 229 yards, 3 TD
Purdue	Rushing	Markell Jones	14 carries, 74 yards
Purdue	Receiving	Anthony Mahoungou	7 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TD
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	16/33, 176 yards, TD, INT
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	22 carries, 78 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	Nick Easley	5 receptions, 60 yards

At Nebraska

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Nebraska got out to a fast start and was up 14–7 in the second quarter with Iowa struggling to move the ball. The script completely flipped from that point though as the Hawkeyes scored 49 unanswered points and shut out the Cornhuskers in the second half.

Statistics	IOWA	NEB
First downs	23	12
Total yards	505	267
Rushing yards	313	67
Passing yards	192	200
Turnovers	0	3
Time of possession	33:09	26:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	13/20, 192 yards, 2 TD
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	19 carries, 159 yards, 3 TD
Iowa	Receiving	Noah Fant	3 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
Nebraska	Passing	Tanner Lee	22/41, 205 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Nebraska	Rushing	Mikale Wilbon	7 carries, 39 yards
Nebraska	Receiving	Stanley Morgan Jr.	7 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD

vs. Boston College (Pinstripe Bowl)

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Iowa was able to end their bowl drought in this contest with Boston College. The Hawkeyes had trouble containing the Eagles' offense but with second half adjustments held them to just a field goal which came with only a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. The victory was bowl win number seven for Kirk Ferentz and tied legendary coach Hayden Fry in career wins with 143.

Statistics	IOWA	BC
First downs	13	16
Total yards	200	383
Rushing yards	101	175
Passing yards	99	208
Turnovers	0	3
Time of possession	27:25	32:35

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing	Nate Stanley	8/15, 99 yards, TD
Iowa	Rushing	Akrum Wadley	22 carries, 88 yards, TD
Iowa	Receiving	Akrum Wadley	2 receptions, 24 yards
Boston College	Passing	Darius Wade	16/27, 208 yards, TD, 2 INT
Boston College	Rushing	A. J. Dillon	32 carries, 157 yards, TD
Boston College	Receiving	Tommy Sweeney	7 receptions, 137 yards, TD

Awards and honors

Postseason Awards

Josey Jewell – Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, Jack Lambert Award, Unanimous First-team All-American
Josh Jackson – Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, Jack Tatum Award, Unanimous First-team All-American

Players in the 2018 NFL draft

James Daniels	C	2	39	Chicago Bears
Josh Jackson	CB	2	45	Green Bay Packers
Josey Jewell	LB	4	106	Denver Broncos