2026 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Lester (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorPhil Parker (15th season)
Home stadiumKinnick Stadium
2026 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Illinois   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Indiana   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Iowa   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Maryland   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Michigan   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Michigan State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Minnesota   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Nebraska   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Northwestern   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Ohio State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Oregon   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Penn State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Purdue   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Rutgers   0 – 0     0 – 0  
UCLA   0 – 0     0 – 0  
USC   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Washington   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Wisconsin   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Championship: December 5, 2026
As of March 20, 2026
Rankings from AP poll

The 2026 Iowa Hawkeyes football team will represent the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hawkeyes are led by Kirk Ferentz who is in his 28th year as head coach. Iowa will play their home games at Kinnick Stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa.

Offseason

2026 NFL draft

See also: 2026 NFL draft

Transfers

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Brian Allen DL Vanderbilt
CJ Bell CB UConn
Rhys Dakin P Michigan State
Koen Entringer DB Louisville
Kael Kolarik S South Dakota
Jaziun Patterson RB Michigan State
Terrell Washington Jr. RB New Mexico State

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Lance Beeghley WR Southern Methodist
Kahmari Brown EDGE Elon
Tyler Brown S James Madison
Tony Diaz WR UT Rio Grande Valley
Lance Ingold EDGE Northern Illinois
Cody Haddad DB Ohio State
Anthony Hawkins S Villanova
Evan James WR Furman
Emmanuel Olagbaju DL North Dakota
Eli Ozick K North Dakota State
L. J. Phillips RB South Dakota
Tanner Philpott P Simpson
Brice Stevenson DL Holy Cross
Xavier Styles S Robert Morris
Trent Wilson OL James Madison

[1]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 5Northern Illinois*
September 12Iowa State*
September 19Northern Iowa*
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
September 26at Michigan
October 3Ohio State
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
October 10at Washington
October 24at Minnesota
October 31Wisconsin
November 7at Northwestern
November 14Purdue
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
November 21at Illinois
November 27Nebraska
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming

[2][3]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP
Coaches
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

vs Northern Illinois

Iowa has only lost to the Huskies once in this series but have struggled against them several times.

Northern Illinois Huskies (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Huskies 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: September 5
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter

56

Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics NIU IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Iowa State

See also: Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry

Iowa State has won three of the last four in this in-state series. The Hawkeyes will be out for revenge after a lackluster performance in the last meeting.

Iowa State Cycloness (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Cyclones 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: September 12
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ISU IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Northern Iowa (FCS)

The first meeting of the two Iowa schools since 2018. A 2020 match-up was canceled due to the pandemic. The Panthers will be seeking redemption as they were humbled in their last visit to Iowa City.

Northern Iowa Panthers (FCS) (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Panthers (FCS) 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: September 19
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNI IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Michigan

See also: 2026 Michigan Wolverines football team

Iowa hasn't beaten Michigan since 2016 and has only won at Michigan Stadium twice in the Ferentz era (2002, 2010).

Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) at Michigan Wolverines (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Hawkeyes 0
Wolverines 0

at Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Date: September 26
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics IOWA MICH
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Michigan Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Ohio State

See also: 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

The Buckeyes' first visit to Iowa City since 2017. Iowa will be looking to upset the Big Ten powerhouse.

Ohio State Buckeyes (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Buckeyes 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: October 3
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics OSU IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ohio State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Washington

See also: 2026 Washington Huskies football team

The Hawkeyes' first visit to Seattle since 1963. The Huskies will be looking to avenge a loss from two years prior.

Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) at Washington Huskies (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Hawkeyes 0
Huskies 0

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, Washington

  • Date: October 10
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics IOWA WASH
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Washington Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Minnesota

See also: 2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and Iowa–Minnesota football rivalry

Iowa has won five consecutive road games in this trophy series and humiliated the Gophers the previous season.

Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Hawkeyes 0
Golden Gophers 0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 24
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics IOWA MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Minnesota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Wisconsin

See also: 2026 Wisconsin Badgers football team and Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry

Iowa has dominated the last two meetings in this border rivalry. Additionally, they are seeking their fifth consecutive victory for the first time in three decades. Wisconsin also hasn't won at Kinnick Stadium since 2018.

Wisconsin Badgers (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Badgers 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: October 31
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIS IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Wisconsin Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northwestern

See also: 2026 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Iowa has won five of the last six in this series.

Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) at Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Hawkeyes 0
Wildcats 0

at Ryan Field • Evanston, Illinois

  • Date: November 7
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics IOWA NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Northwestern Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Purdue

See also: 2026 Purdue Boilermakers football team

These two programs have split their last eight meetings with each other prior to not playing in 2024 or 2025.

Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Boilermakers 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: November 14
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics PUR IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Purdue Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Illinois

See also: 2026 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Illinois ended a long losing streak in this series with Iowa's last visit in 2022.

Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) at Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Hawkeyes 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Gies Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 21
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics IOWA ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Nebraska

See also: 2026 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team and Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry

The Hawkeyes have won 10 of the last 11 in this trophy series. Nebraska will be looking to avenge a humbling loss from the previous season.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Cornhuskers 0
Hawkeyes 0

at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa

  • Date: November 27
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics NEB IOWA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Nebraska Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Roster

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Seth Wallace – Assistant head coach/Assistant defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Tim Lester – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Phil Parker – Defensive coordinator/secondary
  • Chris Polizzi – Special teams coordinator
  • George Barnett Offensive line
  • Kelvin Bell – Defensive line
  • Omar Young – Running backs
  • Jon Budmayr – Wide receivers
  • Abdul Hodge – Tight ends/fullbacks
  • Jay Niemann – Assistant defensive line/defensive recruiting coordinator
  • Jason Mason - Senior football analyst/Assistant offensive coach
  • Raimond Braithwaite – Director, strength and conditioning
  • Drew Heitland – Assistant, strength and conditioning
  • Kohle Helle – Assistant, strength and conditioning
  • Cody Myers – Assistant, strength and conditioning
  • Allan Reyes – Assistant, strength and conditioning
  • Cedric Nah – Strength and conditioning specialist
  • Tyler Barnes – Chief of Staff/Meneral manager
  • Austin Showalter – Associate Director, Football Operations
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Roster

References

  1. ^ "Iowa Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
  2. ^ "2026-27 Football Schedule". University of Iowa Athletics. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  3. ^ "Big Ten Announces 2026 Football Schedule". University of Iowa Athletics. January 27, 2026. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
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