The 1963 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 1963 Big Ten football season. In their third year under head coach Jerry Burns, the Hawkeyes compiled a 3–3–2 record (2–3–1 in conference game), finished eighth in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 126 to 112.[1][2] Iowa's game against Notre Dame was canceled on November 23, one day following the assassination of John F. Kennedy.[3]
The 1963 Hawkeyes gained 1,047 rushing yards and 1,165 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 1,329 rushing yards and 921 passing yards.[4]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Matt Szykowny (79-of-120 passing, 1,078 yards), fullback Bill Perkins (380 rushing yards), end Cloyd Webb (25 receptions for 425 yards), and fullback Joe Williams (54 points scored, including a 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown against Notre Dame).[5] Guard/linebacker Mike Reilly was selected by the Football Writers Association of America for Look magazine as a first-team All-American.[6] Reilly was also selected as the team's most valuable player.[7] Halfback Paul Krause and guard Wally Hilgenberg were the team captains.[8]
The team played its home games at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Home attendance totaled 230,200, an average of 57,500 per game. The per game attendance from 1961 was a school record until 1979.[9]
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|
| September 28 | Washington State* | | T 14–14 | 52,600 | [10] |
| October 5 | at Washington* | | W 17–7 | 55,200 | [11] |
| October 12 | Indiana | - Iowa Stadium
- Iowa City, IA
| W 37–26 | 56,800 | [12] |
| October 19 | No. 2 Wisconsin | - Iowa Stadium
- Iowa City, IA (rivalry)
| L 7–10 | 59,700 | [13] |
| October 26 | at Purdue | | L 0–14 | 47,921 | [14] |
| November 2 | at No. 9 Ohio State | | L 3–7 | 83,163 | [15] |
| November 9 | Minnesota | - Iowa Stadium
- Iowa City, IA (rivalry)
| W 27–13 | 59,300 | [16] |
| November 16 | at Michigan | | T 21–21 | 46,582 | [17][18] |
| November 23 | Notre Dame* | - Iowa Stadium
- Iowa City, IA
| Cancelled | | [19] |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
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Game summaries
Washington State
Washington
Indiana
Wisconsin
Purdue
Ohio State
Minnesota
Michigan
Roster
| 1963 Iowa Hawkeyes football team roster
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| Players
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Coaches
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| Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
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Players in the 1964 NFL draft
References
- ^ "1963 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "2022 Iowa Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Iowa. p. 241. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Iowa-Notre Dame Tilt Cancelled" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. November 23, 1963. p. 4. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ 2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 161.
- ^ 2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, pp. 2780279.
- ^ "Mike Reilly on Football Writers All-America Team". Iowa City Press-Citizen. December 2, 1963. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ 2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 222.
- ^ 2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 220.
- ^ 2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260.
- ^ "Hawkeyes' lead melts into 14–14 stalemate". Omaha World-Herald. September 29, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Iowa hits late to nip Huskies". Tulsa World. October 6, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Riddle sets record in 37–26 Iowa victory". The State Journal-Register. October 13, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badgers hold off Iowa for 10–7 win". Eau Claire Leader. October 20, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "DiGravio, Purdue top Iowa 14–0 for 2nd win". The Minneapolis Morning Tribune. October 27, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buckeyes preserve hopes, 7–3". Council Bluffs Nonpareil. November 3, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gophers 'shook' by Gary Snook". The Duluth News Tribune. November 10, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "U-M Settles for 21-21 Tie: Anthony Rambles For All 4 Scores". Detroit Free Press. November 17, 1963. pp. 1D, 3D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dave Good (November 17, 1963). "'M' Battles Iowa to Standstill, 21-21". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 6 – via Bentley Historical Library.
- ^ "Notre Dame–Iowa game called off". The South Bend Tribune. November 23, 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "1964 NFL Draft". Sports Reference.
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National championship seasons in bold |