(Iowa City, IA) – The Hawkeyes were ranked by Wayne Staats of the NCAA to be ranked in the top-25 sitting at #21. Iowa’s football team has been ineffective in terms of offensive stats last season but was able to back those numbers with one of the country’s best defenses.
Iowa ranked #2 in defense last season as they allowed just 3.9 yards per play and only 270 yards in a game allowed. One reason for such a good defense last season was Cooper DeJean who had five interceptions and had 56 solo tackles. Three Hawkeyes also had 6.5 sacks last season including Lukas Van Ness, Joe Evans, and Deontae Craig. Deonte also led the team in tackles for loss with 10 and averaged 6.5 yards per loss for those 10 tackles.
The reason for Iowa’s unsuccessful efforts last season was their offense. Iowa ranked #130 overall on their offensive rankings, just behind conference foe Rutgers. The Hawkeyes only averaged 4.24 yards per play and 251.6 yards per game. Former quarterback Spencer Petras only passed for five touchdowns and averaged 143 yards per game. Petras will likely be replaced by Cade McNamara who formally played at the University of Michigan. McNamara started for the Wolverines in 2021, throwing for 15 touchdowns and 141 yards per game. He only took 25 snaps last season for Michigan and looks to be the primary starter for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa will play Utah in their first game on September 2nd at 11:00 am and will then travel to Iowa State on September 9th to take on the Cyclones at 2:30 pm.
