2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season

2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football

Music City Bowl, No Contest vs. Missouri

Conference| Big Ten Conference
Division| West Division
Ranking
Coaches| No. 15
AP| No. 16
Record| 6–2 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach|

* Kirk Ferentz (22nd season)

Offensive coordinator| Brian Ferentz (4th season)
Offensive scheme| Multiple
Defensive coordinator| Phil Parker (9th season)
Base defense| 4–3
Home stadium| Kinnick Stadium

Seasons

<- 2019

2021 ->

2020 Big Ten Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
East Division
No. 2 Ohio State xy$^  |  | 5  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 1  |
No. 12 Indiana |  | 6  | - | 1  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 2  |
Penn State |  | 4  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 5  |
Maryland |  | 2  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 3  |
Rutgers |  | 3  | - | 6  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 6  |
Michigan |  | 2  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 4  |
Michigan State |  | 2  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 5  |
West Division
No. 10 Northwestern xy |  | 6  | - | 1  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 2  |
No. 16 Iowa |  | 6  | - | 2  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 2  |
Wisconsin |  | 3  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 3  |
Minnesota |  | 3  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 4  |
Nebraska |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 5  |
Purdue |  | 2  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 4  |
Illinois |  | 2  | - | 6  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 6  |
Championship: Ohio State 22, Northwestern 10

* ^ - College Football Playoff participant
* $ - Conference champion
* x - Division champion/co-champions
* y - Championship game participant
* Note: Due to COVID-19, the Big Ten suspended the season on August 11, but later decided to begin play on October 24. In addition to the title game that was played on December 19, the conference seeded all remaining teams for "championship week" games.[1]

Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2020 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 22nd-year head coach Kirk Ferentz.

On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten Conference canceled all fall sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on September 16, the Big Ten reinstated the season, announcing an eight-game season beginning on October 24.[2] The Hawkeyes compiled a 6–2 record, all in conference games. The team was set to face Missouri in the Music City Bowl, but the game was canceled after Missouri had to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues.[3]

Junior defensive lineman Daviyon Nixon was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and was a unanimous First-team All-American.

## Schedule[edit]

Iowa had games scheduled against Northern Iowa, Iowa State, and Northern Illinois, but canceled these games on July 9 due to the Big Ten Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Date| Time| Opponent| Rank| Site| TV| Result| Attendance

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

October 24 |  2:30 p.m. |  at Purdue |  |

* Ross–Ade Stadium
* West Lafayette, IN

|  BTN | L 20–24|  900
October 31 |  2:30 p.m. |  Northwestern |  |

* Kinnick Stadium
* Iowa City, IA

|  ESPN | L 20–21|  1,432
November 7 |  11:00 a.m. |  Michigan State |  |

* Kinnick Stadium
* Iowa City, IA

|  ESPN | W 49–7|  1,441
November 13 |  6:00 p.m. |  at Minnesota |  |

* TCF Bank Stadium
* Minneapolis, MN (Floyd of Rosedale)

|  FS1 | W 35–7|  771
November 21 |  2:30 p.m. |  at Penn State |  |

* Beaver Stadium
* University Park, PA

|  BTN | W 41–21|  1,500
November 27 |  12:00 p.m. |  Nebraska |  No. 24 |

* Kinnick Stadium
* Iowa City, IA (The Heroes Game)

|  FOX | W 26–20|  1,469
December 5 |  2:30 p.m. |  at Illinois |  No. 19 |

* Memorial Stadium
* Champaign, IL

|  FS1 | W 35–21|  875
December 12 |  2:30 p.m. |  Wisconsin |  No. 16 |

* Kinnick Stadium
* Iowa City, IA (rivalry)

|  FS1 | W 28–7|  1,445
December 19 |  6:00 p.m. |  Michigan |  No. 16 |

* Kinnick Stadium
* Iowa City, IA (Champions Week)

|  ESPN | No Contest|  –
December 30 |  3:00 p.m. | vs. Missouri* |  No. 15 |

* Nissan Stadium
* Nashville, TN (Music City Bowl)

|  ESPN | No Contest|  –

* Homecoming
* Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 24) released prior to game
* All times are in Central time

| Michigan and Missouri were canceled due to COVID-19.|

[5]

## Roster[edit]

2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football team roster

Players  | Coaches
Offense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

QB | `2` | Deuce Hogan | Fr
QB | `11` | Connor Kapisak | So
QB | `8` | Alex Padilla |  So
QB | `7` | Spencer Petras | So
RB | `23` | Shadrick Byrd |  Fr
RB | `15` | Tyler Goodson | So
RB | `21` | Ivory Kelly-Martin | Jr
RB | `20` | Keontae Luckett |  Fr
RB | `10` | Mekhi Sargent | Sr
RB | `25` | Gavin Williams | Fr
RB | `4` | Leshon Williams | Fr
FB | `41` | Colton Dinsdale | Sr
FB | `40` | Turner Pallissard | So
FB | `32` | Johnny Plewa |  Fr
FB | `38` | Monte Pottebaum | So
WR | `9` | Jack Combs | Jr
WR | `19` | Max Cooper | Sr
WR | `1` | Nolan Donald |  Fr
WR | `26` | Jamison Heinz | Fr
WR | `81` | Desmond Hutson |  Fr
WR | `27` | Jack Johnson | Fr
WR | `16` | Charlie Jones | Jr
WR | `83` | Alec Kritta |  Fr
WR | `82` | Calvin Lockett | So
WR | `14` | Quavon Matthews | Fr
WR | `89` | Nico Ragaini | So
WR | `29` | Jackson Ritter |  Fr
WR | `12` | Brandon Smith | Sr
WR | `6` | Ihmir Smith-Marsette | Sr
WR | `3` | Tyrone Tracy | So
WR | `18` | Diante Vines | Fr
WR | `28` | Isaiah Wagner | Fr
WR | `17` | Wyatt Wegener | Fr
TE | `42` | Shaun Beyer | Sr
TE | `88` | Jackson Frericks |  Fr
TE | `46` | Tommy Kujawa | Jr
TE | `85` | Luke Lachey | Fr
TE | `84` | Sam LaPorta | So
TE | `80` | Josiah Miamen |  Fr
TE | `48` | Bryce Schulte | Jr
TE | `47` | Andrew Wilson | Fr
TE | `87` | Elijah Yelverton | Fr
OL | `61` | Cole Banwart | Sr
OL | `63` | Justin Britt |  Fr
OL | `51` | Coy Cronk | Sr
OL | `56` | Nick DeJong |  Fr
OL | `76` | Tyler Elsbury | Fr
OL | `55` | Luke Empen | So
OL | `69` | Tyler Endres |  Fr
OL | `54` | Matt Fagan | So
OL | `52` | Asher Fahey | Fr
OL | `60` | Noah Fenske |  Fr
OL | `73` | Cody Ince | So
OL | `77` | Alaric Jackson | Sr
OL | `71` | Mark Kallenberger | Jr
OL | `72` | Coy Kirkpatrick | Jr
OL | `65` | Tyler Linderbaum | So
OL | `79` | Jack Plumb | So
OL | `78` | Mason Richman | Fr
OL | `64` | Kyler Schott | Jr
OL | `57` | Clayton Thurm |  Fr
OL | `75` | Josh Volk | Fr
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

DE | `13` | Joe Evans | So
DL | `94` | Yahya Black | Fr
DL | `88` | Isaiah Bruce | Fr
DL | `45` | Deontae Craig | Fr
DL | `53` | Spencer Daufeldt |  Fr
DL | `58` | Taylor Fox |  Fr
DL | `57` | Chauncey Golston | Sr
DL | `96` | Jack Heflin | Sr
DL | `48` | Ethan Hurkett | Fr
DL | `66` | Dalles Jacobus | Sr
DL | `95` | Logan Jones | Fr
DL | `93` | Jake Karchinski |  Fr
DL | `85` | Logan Lee |  Fr
DL | ` ` | Michael Lois | Fr
DL | `43` | Matt Lorbeck | Sr
DL | `90` | Taajhir McCall |  Fr
DL | `98` | Chris Reames |  Fr
DL | `74` | Austin Schulte | Sr
DL | `99` | Noah Shannon | So
DL | `92` | John Waggoner | So
DL | `86` | Jameson Witte | Fr
DL | `91` | Lukas Van Ness | Fr
DL | `97` | Zach VanValkenburg | Sr
DT | `54` | Daviyon Nixon | Jr
DT | `50` | Louie Stec |  Fr
LB | `47` | Nick Anderson | Sr
LB | `44` | Seth Benson | So
LB | `31` | Jack Campbell | So
LB | `34` | Jay Higgins | Fr
LB | `5` | Jestin Jacobs |  Fr
LB | `55` | Yahweh Jeudy |  Fr
LB | `46` | Logan Klemp | So
LB | `49` | Nick Niemann | Sr
LB | `40` | Josef Smith | Fr
LB | `36` | Mike Timm | So
LB | `35` | Barrington Wade | Sr
DB | `4` | Dane Belton | So
DB | `7` | Reggie Bracy | Fr
DB | `20` | JuJu Brents | So
DB | `29` | Sebastian Castro |  Fr
DB | `15` | Dallas Craddieth | So
DB | `17` | Brenden Deasfernandes | Fr
DB | `37` | Kyler Fisher |  Fr
DB | `8` | Matt Hankins | Sr
DB | `27` | Jermari Harris |  Fr
DB | `21` | Thomas Hartlieb |  Fr
DB | `28` | Jack Koerner | Jr
DB | `11` | AJ Lawson | Fr
DB | `13` | Henry Marchese | Jr
DB | `14` | Daraun McKinney |  Fr
DB | `26` | Kaevon Merriweather | So
DB | `33` | Riley Moss | Jr
DB | `16` | Terry Roberts | So
DB | `30` | Quinn Schulte |  Fr
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

K | `96` | Lucas Amaya |  Fr
K | `1` | Aaron Blom | Fr
K | `3` | Keith Duncan | Sr
K | `94` | Caleb Shudak | Sr
P | `2` | Ryan Gersonde | Jr
P | `9` | Tory Taylor | Fr
P | `45` | Nick Phelps | So
LS | `50` | Zach Kluver |  Fr
LS | `84` | Austin Spiewak | Sr
LS | `97` | Liam Reardon | Fr

Head coach

* Kirk Ferentz

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* Brian Ferentz – Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends
* Phil Parker – Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
* LeVar Woods – Special Teams Coordinator
* Kelvin Bell – Defensive Line
* Kelton Copeland – Wide Receivers
* Derrick Foster – Running Backs/Offensive Recruiting Coordinator
* Jay Niemann – Assistant Defensive Line/Defensive Recruiting Coordinator
* Ken O'Keefe – Quarterbacks
* Tim Polasek– Offensive Line
* Seth Wallace – Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
* Raimond Braithwaite – Interim Director, Strength and Conditioning
* Kohle Helle – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
* Ben Morse – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
* Cody Myers – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
* Drew Heitland – Nutrition & Performance Analytics
* Paul Federici – Director, Football Operations
* Ben Hansen – Assistant Director, Football Operations
* Sam Brincks – Interim Director, Player Development
* Scott Southmayd – Director, Player Personnel
* Tyler Barnes – Director, Recruiting
* Justin Floyd – Graduate Assistant
* Dylan Chmura – Graduate Assistant
* Keeston Terry – Graduate Assistant
* Shane Viilo – Graduate Assistant
* Austin Showalter – Director of Football Analytics
* Martin Hopkins – Football Analyst
* Tyler Parker – Football Analyst
* Bob Rahfeldt – Video Coordinator

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (S) Suspended
* (I) Ineligible

* Injured
* Redshirt

* * *

Roster
Last update: 10/11/20

## Rankings[edit]

Further information: 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes| Week

|

Poll| Pre| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| 15| 16| Final
AP| 24| none| —*| —*| RV| RV| RV| RV| —| —| —| RV| RV| 24| 19| 18| 17| 16
Coaches| 23| none| —*| RV| RV| RV| RV| RV| RV| —| —| —| RV| 24| 18| 17| 16| 15
CFP| Not released| 24| 19| 16| 16| 15| Not released

(*) Big Ten Conference members were not eligible for the Week 2 of the AP and Coaches Polls and Week 3 of the AP due to not having a scheduled season at the time.

## Game summaries[edit]

### At Purdue[edit]

See also: 2020 Purdue Boilermakers football team

Iowa at Purdue |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Hawkeyes | 0 | 17| 0| 3 | 20
• Boilermakers | 7 | 7| 0| 10 | 24

* Date: October 24
* Location:
Ross–Ade Stadium
West Lafayette, IN
* Game start: 3:40 p.m. EDT
* Elapsed time: 3:21
* Game attendance: 900
* Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), Mostly Sunny, Wind NE 9 mph (14 km/h)
* Referee: John O'Neill
* TV announcers (BTN): Cory Provus, Anthony Herron and Coley Harvey

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 7:07| Purdue| David Bell 9-yard pass from Aidan O'Connell (J.D. Dellinger kick)| Purdue 7–0
2| 10:21| Iowa| Spencer Petras 1-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Tied 7–7
4:42| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 1-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 14–7
1:40| Purdue| David Bell 11-yard pass from Aidan O'Connell (J.D. Dellinger kick)| Tied 14–14
0:00| Iowa| Keith Duncan 27-yard field goal| Iowa 17–14
4| 13:12| Iowa| Keith Duncan 33-yard field goal| Iowa 20–14
8:20| Purdue| J.D. Dellinger 29-yard field goal| Iowa 20–17
2:15| Purdue| David Bell 6-yard pass from Aidan O'Connell (J.D. Dellinger kick)| Purdue 24–20

[6]

Statistics | IOWA | PUR

|
|

First downs | 19 | 24
Total yards | 460 | 386
Rushing yards | 195 | 104
Passing yards | 265 | 282
Turnovers | 2 | 2
Time of possession | 29:49 | 30:11
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 22–39, 265 yards
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 16 carries, 77 yards
Receiving | Sam LaPorta | 5 receptions, 71 yards
Purdue | Passing | Aidan O'Connell | 31–50, 282 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Zander Horvath | 21 carries, 129 yards
Receiving | David Bell | 13 receptions, 121 yards, 3 TD

### Northwestern[edit]

See also: 2020 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Northwestern at Iowa
Homecoming |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Wildcats | 0 | 14| 7| 0 | 21
Hawkeyes | 17 | 3| 0| 0 | 20

* Date: October 31
* Location:
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA
* Game start: 2:35 p.m. CDT
* Elapsed time: 3:16
* Game attendance: 1,432
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), Clear and Sunny, Wind 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h)
* Referee: Larry Smith
* TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky and Allison Williams

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 11:36| Iowa| Brandon Smith 7-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 7–0
8:36| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 15-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 14–0
1:43| Iowa| Keith Duncan 22-yard field goal| Iowa 17–0
2| 10:20| NW| Kyric McGowan 3-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick)| Iowa 17–7
7:09| Iowa| Keith Duncan 47-yard field goal| Iowa 20–7
1:25| NW| Jesse Brown 1-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick)| Iowa 20–14
3| 6:05| NW| Jesse Brown 2-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick)| NW 21–20

[7][8]

Statistics | NW | IOWA

|
|

First downs | 18 | 20
Total yards | 273 | 293
Rushing yards | 143 | 77
Passing yards | 130 | 216
Turnovers | 1 | 3
Time of possession | 33:33 | 26:27
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Northwestern | Passing | Peyton Ramsey | 11–18, 130 yards, INT
Rushing | Isaiah Bowser | 25 carries, 85 yards
Receiving | Kyric McGowan | 5 receptions, 63 yards
Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 26–50, 216 yards, TD, 3 INT
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 13 carries, 43 yards, TD
Receiving | Ihmir Smith-Marsette | 7 receptions, 84 yards

### Michigan State[edit]

See also: 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team

Michigan State at Iowa |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Spartans | 0 | 0| 7| 0 | 7
• Hawkeyes | 14 | 21| 7| 7 | 49

* Date: November 7
* Location:
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA
* Game start: 11:02 a.m. CST
* Elapsed time: 3:20
* Game attendance: 1,441
* Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), Sunny, Wind S 12 mph (19 km/h)
* Referee: Ron Snodgrass
* TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, and Paul Carcaterra

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 11:07| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 3-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 7–0
4:31| Iowa| Brandon Smith 14-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 14–0
2| 11:16| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 9-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 21–0
1:57| Iowa| Charlie Jones 54-yard punt return (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 28–0
1:30| Iowa| Riley Moss 54-yard interception return (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 35–0
3| 10:06| MSU| Tyler Hunt 1-yard run (Matt Coghlin kick)| Iowa 35–7
8:47| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 2-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 42–7
4| 11:57| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 6-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 49–7

Iowa's first win over Michigan State since 2012, and the Hawkeyes' largest in the 48-game series, gave Kirk Ferentz his 163rd win as coach, passing Joe Paterno in total wins as a Big Ten head coach. The Hawkeyes dominated in all three phases of the game and gave Spartan quarterback Rocky Lombardi a long day, intercepting him three times.[9]

Statistics | MSU | IOWA

|
|

First downs | 10 | 19
Total yards | 286 | 405
Rushing yards | 59 | 226
Passing yards | 227 | 179
Turnovers | 3 | 0
Time of possession | 27:55 | 32:05
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Michigan State | Passing | Rocky Lombardi | 17–37, 227 yards, 3 INT
Rushing | Jordan Simmons | 9 carries, 34 yards
Receiving | Jalen Nailor | 4 receptions, 119 yards
Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 15–27, 167 yards, TD
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 14 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Tyrone Tracy | 4 receptions, 38 yards

### At Minnesota[edit]

See also: 2020 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Iowa at Minnesota
Floyd of Rosedale |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Hawkeyes | 7 | 7| 0| 21 | 35
Golden Gophers | 0 | 0| 0| 7 | 7

* Date: November 13
* Location:
TCF Bank Stadium
Minneapolis, MN
* Game start: 6:05 p.m. CST
* Elapsed time: 3:14
* Game attendance: 771
* Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), Sunny, Wind SE 12 mph (19 km/h)
* Referee: Reggie Smith
* TV announcers (FS1): Aaron Goldsmith and Brady Quinn

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 5:42| Iowa| Nico Ragiani 1-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 7–0
2| 8:31| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 7-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 14–0
4| 13:12| Iowa| Ihmir Smith-Marsette 7-yard pass from Spencer Petras (PAT failed)| Iowa 20–0
8:56| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 1-yard run (Tyler Goodson run)| Iowa 28–0
6:37| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 14-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 35–0
0:14| Minn| Rashod Bateman 4-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Michael Lantz kick)| Iowa 35–7

Iowa has won eight of the last nine meetings in this series. The Hawkeyes dominated the Golden Gophers, winning for the third straight time in Minneapolis, to keep Floyd of Rosedale in Iowa City for a sixth straight year.[10]

Statistics | IOWA | MINN

|
|

First downs | 20 | 19
Total yards | 346 | 312
Rushing yards | 235 | 145
Passing yards | 111 | 167
Turnovers | 1 | 2
Time of possession | 23:50 | 36:10
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 9–18, 111 yards, TD, INT
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 20 carries, 142 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Tyrone Tracy | 3 receptions, 36 yards
Minnesota | Passing | Tanner Morgan | 16–33, 167 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Mohamed Ibrahim | 33 carries, 144 yards
Receiving | Rashod Bateman | 8 receptions, 111 yards, TD

### At Penn State[edit]

See also: 2020 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Iowa at Penn State |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Hawkeyes | 3 | 21| 7| 10 | 41
Nittany Lions | 7 | 0| 14| 0 | 21

* Date: November 21
* Location:
Beaver Stadium
University Park, PA
* Game start: 3:30 EST
* Elapsed time: 3:26
* Game attendance: 1,500
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), Cloudy, rain, Wind NW 7 mph (11 km/h)
* Referee: Mark Kluczynski
* TV announcers (BTN): Joe Beninati, Matt Millen, and Rick Pizzo

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 8:23| Iowa| Keith Duncan 40-yard field goal| Iowa 3–0
2:12| PSU| Keyvone Lee 6-yard run (Jake Pinegar kick)| Penn State 7–3
2| 14:35| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 10-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 10–7
6:34| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 1-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 17–7
0:11| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 1-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 24–7
3| 6:45| Iowa| Spencer Petras 3-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 31–7
4:01| PSU| Brenton Strange 28-yard pass from Sean Clifford (kick blocked)| Iowa 31–13
0:07| PSU| Jahan Dotson 68-yard pass from Sean Clifford (Keyvone Lee pass from S. Clifford)| Iowa 31–21
4| 7:14| Iowa| Keith Duncan 24-yard field goal| Iowa 34–21
1:58| Iowa| Daviyon Nixon 71-yard interception return (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 41–21

Iowa earned their first win over Penn State since 2010, forcing four turnovers in the process. The victory gave Kirk Ferentz his 100th Big Ten win - just the 4th coach in conference history to achieve the feat - and Penn State their first-ever 0–5 start in the program's 134-year history.[11]

Statistics | IOWA | PSU

|
|

First downs | 24 | 19
Total yards | 361 | 342
Rushing yards | 175 | 62
Passing yards | 186 | 280
Turnovers | 1 | 4
Time of possession | 31:50 | 28:10
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 18/28, 186 yards
Rushing | Mekhi Sargent | 15 carries, 101 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Nico Ragaini | 4 receptions, 46 yards
Penn State | Passing | Sean Clifford | 13/22, 174 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Will Levis | 15 carries, 34 yards
Receiving | Jahan Dotson | 8 receptions, 139 yards, TD

### Nebraska[edit]

See also: 2020 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

Nebraska at No. 24 Iowa
Heroes Trophy |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Cornhuskers | 0 | 13| 7| 0 | 20
• No. 24 Hawkeyes | 10 | 3| 7| 6 | 26

* Date: November 28
* Location:
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA
* Game start: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Elapsed time: 3:16
* Game attendance: 1,469
* Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), Partly cloudy, Wind NW 11 mph (18 km/h)
* Referee: Ron Snodgrass
* TV announcers (FOX): Brian Custer, Robert Smith

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 12:06| Iowa| Keith Duncan 32-yard field goal| Iowa 3–0
1:09| Iowa| Tyrone Tracy 6-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 10–0
2| 12:35| Neb| Connor Culp 31-yard field goal| Iowa 10–3
9:42| Neb| Connor Culp 39-yard field goal| Iowa 10–6
3:48| Iowa| Keith Duncan 33-yard field goal| Iowa 13–6
0:29| Neb| Adrian Martinez 1-yard run (Connor Culp kick)| Tied 13–13
3| 12:05| Neb| Rahmir Johnson 12-yard run (Connor Culp kick)| Neb 20–13
5:47| Iowa| Mekhi Sargent 2-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Tied 20–20
4| 14:55| Iowa| Keith Duncan 48-yard field goal| Iowa 23–20
8:21| Iowa| Keith Duncan 37-yard field goal| Iowa 26–20

Iowa was victorious for the sixth straight time - and seventh in eight meetings - against Nebraska. In this back-and-forth game, turnovers in the fourth quarter hurt the Cornhuskers, as they fumbled twice in the last 10:17. The second of which was forced by Chauncey Golston to keep the Heroes Trophy in Iowa City. Senior Keith Duncan kicked four field goals in a game for the fourth time in his career, joining Nate Kaeding as the only Hawkeye kickers to achieve the feat.[12]

Statistics | NEB | IOWA

|
|

First downs | 20 | 22
Total yards | 338 | 322
Rushing yards | 143 | 129
Passing yards | 195 | 193
Turnovers | 2 | 1
Time of possession | 25:36 | 34:24
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Nebraska | Passing | Adrian Martinez | 18/20, 174 yards
Rushing | Wan'Dale Robinson
Luke McCaffrey | 6 carries, 42 yards
5 carries, 42 yards
Receiving | Wan'Dale Robinson | 9 receptions, 75 yards
Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 18/30, 193 yards, TD, INT
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 30 carries, 111 yards
Receiving | Sam LaPorta | 5 receptions, 38 yards

### At Illinois[edit]

See also: 2020 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Iowa at Illinois |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• No. 19 Hawkeyes | 0 | 13| 8| 14 | 35
Fighting Illini | 7 | 7| 0| 7 | 21

* Date: December 5
* Location:
Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
* Game start: 2:40 p.m. CST
* Elapsed time: 3:19
* Game attendance: 875
* Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C), Sunny, Wind NE 5 mph (8.0 km/h)
* Referee: Jerry McGinn
* TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins and Ben Leber

* Source: Box Score

| Scoring summary

1| 8:10| Illinois| Daniel Barker 24-yard pass from Brandon Peters (James McCourt kick)| Illinois 7–0
2| 13:30| Illinois| Josh Imatorbhebhe 12-yard pass from Brandon Peters (James McCourt kick)| Illinois 14–0
6:18| Iowa| Sam LaPorta 22-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick)| Illinois 14–7
2:54| Iowa| Keith Duncan 40-yard field goal| Illinois 14–10
0:14| Iowa| Keith Duncan 27-yard field goal| Illinois 14–13
3| 8:24| Iowa| Ihmir Smith-Marsette 4-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Tyler Goodson pass from Petras)| Iowa 21–14
4| 12:40| Iowa| Shaun Beyer 16-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 28–14
1:56| Iowa| Ihmir Smith-Marsette 13-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 35–14
0:24| Illinois| Carlos Sandy 29-yard pass from Isaiah Williams (James McCourt kick)| Iowa 35–21

Iowa hasn't lost to Illinois since 2008. This was their seventh straight victory in the series and have won 12 of the last 13 overall. Illinois jumped out to a 14–0 lead early but the Hawkeyes put up 35 unanswered points and controlled the line of scrimmage from that point on having the ability to both run and pass the ball effectively.[13]

Statistics | IOWA | ILL

|
|

First downs | 22 | 20
Total yards | 424 | 348
Rushing yards | 204 | 149
Passing yards | 220 | 199
Turnovers | 0 | 0
Time of possession | 30:26 | 29:34
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 18/28, 220 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 19 carries, 92 yards
Receiving | Brandon Smith | 5 receptions, 58 yards
Illinois | Passing | Brandon Peters | 10/18, 116 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Chase Brown | 18 carries, 83 yards
Receiving | Josh Imatorbhebhe | 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD

### Wisconsin[edit]

See also: 2020 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Wisconsin at Iowa
Heartland Trophy |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Badgers | 0 | 0| 7| 0 | 7
• No. 16 Hawkeyes | 3 | 3| 15| 7 | 28

* Date: December 12
* Location:
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA
* Game start: 2:40 p.m. CST
* Elapsed time: 3:16
* Game attendance: 1,445
* Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), Overcast, Snow, Wind 10 mph (16 km/h)
* Referee: Larry Smith
* TV announcers (FS1): Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman

| Scoring summary

1| 7:12| Iowa| Keith Duncan 40-yard field goal| Iowa 3–0
2| 0:01| Iowa| Keith Duncan 45-yard field goal| Iowa 6–0
3| 8:49| Iowa| Ihmir Smith-Marsette 19-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Brandon Smith pass from Petras)| Iowa 14–0
5:42| Wisc| Nakia Watson 1-yard run (Collin Larsh kick)| Iowa 14–7
1:23| Iowa| Ihmir Smith-Marsette 53-yard pass from Spencer Petras (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 21–7
4| 4:09| Iowa| Tyler Goodson 80-yard run (Keith Duncan kick)| Iowa 28–7

Iowa won at home over Wisconsin for the first time since 2008 to recapture the bull. After a slow start on the snow-covered field in the first half, the Hawkeyes put up three touchdowns in the second, and were able to stop the Badgers on several fourth down attempts.[14]

Statistics | WIS | IOWA

|
|

First downs | 11 | 13
Total yards | 225 | 338
Rushing yards | 56 | 127
Passing yards | 169 | 211
Turnovers | 2 | 1
Time of possession | 34:11 | 25:49
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Wisconsin | Passing | Graham Mertz | 20/38, 169 yards, INT
Rushing | Nakia Watson | 13 carries, 29 yards, TD
Receiving | Jack Dunn | 5 receptions, 55 yards
Iowa | Passing | Spencer Petras | 14/25, 211 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Tyler Goodson | 11 carries, 106 yards, TD
Receiving | Ihmir Smith-Marsette | 7 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TD

### Michigan[edit]

See also: 2020 Michigan Wolverines football team

Michigan at Iowa
Champions Week |  | 1 | 2| Total

|
|
|

Wolverines |  |  | 0
No. 16 Hawkeyes |  |  | 0

* Date: December 19
* Location:
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA
* Game start: 6:00 p.m. CST
* Television network: ESPN

Iowa was looking to avenge a loss in Ann Arbor from previous season, but it was announced on December 15 the game was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Wolverines program.[15] Michigan hasn't won at Kinnick Stadium since 2005.

### Vs. Missouri (Music City Bowl)[edit]

Main article: 2020 Music City Bowl

See also: 2020 Missouri Tigers football team

Iowa vs. Missouri
Music City Bowl |  | 1 | 2| Total

|
|
|

No. 15 Hawkeyes |  |  | 0
Tigers |  |  | 0

* Date: December 30
* Location:
Nissan Stadium
Nashville, TN
* Game start: 3:00 p.m. CST
* Television network: ESPN

[16]

Due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Tigers' football program, the Music City Bowl was canceled, ending the season for both the Hawkeyes and the Tigers.[17]

Had the game been played, it would have been the first meeting between Iowa and Missouri in a decade. If Iowa had won the game, it would have given Kirk Ferentz his 10th bowl win, which would have tied Joe Paterno for first all-time in Big 10 history.

## Awards and honors[edit]

Individual Awards  Player  | Award  | Ref.

|
|

Daviyon Nixon | Nagurski–Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
Smith–Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year | [18]
Tory Taylor  | Eddleman–Fields Punter of the Year | [19]

See also: 2020 College Football All-America Team and 2020 All-Big Ten Conference football team

## Players drafted into the NFL[edit]

See also: 2021 NFL Draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | NFL Club

|
|
|
|

3 | 84 | Chauncey Golston | DE | Dallas Cowboys
5 | 157 | Ihmir Smith-Marsette | WR | Minnesota Vikings
5 | 158 | Daviyon Nixon | DT | Carolina Panthers
6 | 185 | Nick Niemann | ILB | Los Angeles Chargers

## References[edit]

1. ^ Stevens, Matthew. "Big Ten To Play A "Championship Weekend" 9th Game Of 2020 Season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
2. ^ "The Big Ten Conference Adopts Stringent Medical Protocols; Football Season to Resume October 23-24, 2020". bigten.org. September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
3. ^ Cobb, David (December 27, 2020). "2020 Music City Bowl canceled as COVID-19 outbreak forces Missouri to pull out of game vs. Iowa". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
4. ^ Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
5. ^ "2020 Iowa Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
6. ^ "Purdue Downs Iowa in Season Opener". University of Iowa Athletics. October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
7. ^ "Hawkeyes Host Northwestern With Sense Of Urgency After Loss". Associated Press. October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
8. ^ "Northwestern Wipes Out 17-Point Deficit To Beat Iowa 21-20". Associated Press. October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
9. ^ "Goodson Rushes For 113 Yards As Iowa Wallops Michigan State". Associated Press. November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
10. ^ "Iowa drubs Minnesota 35-7 for 6th straight win for the pig". Associated Press. November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
11. ^ "Iowa Beats Penn State; Nittany Lions 0-5 For First Time". Associated Press. November 21, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
12. ^ "Hawkeyes' Defense Comes Up Big In 26-20 Win Over Nebraska". Associated Press. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
13. ^ "No. 24 Iowa Scores 35 Unanswered To Beat Illinois 35-14". Associated Press. December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.[permanent dead link]
14. ^ "No. 19 Iowa beats No. 25 Wisconsin 28-7 for 6th win in row". Associated Press. December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
15. ^ "Indiana-Purdue, Michigan-Iowa canceled; bowl also called off". Associated Press. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
16. ^ "No. 17 Iowa, Missouri Renew Rare Rivalry In Music City Bowl". Associated Press. December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
17. ^ "Hawkeyes football season over as Music City Bowl canceled". December 27, 2020.
18. ^ "Big Ten Unveils Football All-Conference Teams for Defense and Select Individual Honors". Big Ten Conference. December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
19. ^ "Big Ten Completes Football All-Conference Awards with Special Teams and Select Individual Honors". Big Ten Conference. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.

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