2003 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2003
Team=Iowa Hawkeyes


ImageSize=150
Conference=Big Ten Conference
Division=
ShortConference=Big Ten
CoachRank=8
APRank=8
Record=10-3
ConfRecord=5-3
HeadCoach=Kirk Ferentzcite web|title = Kirk Ferentz|url = http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ferentz_kirk00.html|publisher = HawkeyeSports.com|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-18]
OffCoach=Ken O'Keefe
DefCoach=Norm Parker
OScheme=
DScheme=
StadiumArena=Kinnick Stadium
Cap: 70,585cite web|title = Kinnick Stadium|url = http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/facilities/iowa-kinnick-stadium.html|publisher = HawkeyeSports.com|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-18]
Champion=
BowlTourney=Outback Bowl vs. Florida
BowlTourneyResult=W, 37–17The 2003 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2003 college football season. Following a 2002 season that saw the Hawkeyes finish 11-2 with a Big Ten championship, expectations for a third straight post-season game were well warranted.cite web|title = Iowa Hawkeyes 2003 Preview|url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/2003/preview/teams/iowa/|publisher = SI.com|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-18] With four offensive starters and seven defensive starters returning from the 2002 season, the Hawkeyes looked to be a primarily defensive team going into the season.

The Hawkeyes opened the season strong, winning games over Miami, Buffalo, Iowa State and Arizona State en route to a 4-0 record.cite web|title = Iowa 2003 Football Schedule/Results|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teamsched?teamId=2294&year=2003|publisher = ESPN|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-18] Undefeated and ranked ninth in the country, the Hawkeyes headed into East Lansing, Michigan for their Big Ten opener.cite web|title = Iowa vs. Michigan State|url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103270/20030927NCAAFMICHIGANST0nr.htm|publisher = USA Today|date = 2003-09-27|accessdate = 2007-10-18] Playing a Michigan State team that had just beaten Notre Dame a week earlier, the Hawkeyes turned the ball over four times and committed ten penalties in a 20–10 loss. However, with Michigan next up on the schedule, things would get no easier for the Hawkeyes. Before the game, Michigan held a 37-9-4 lead in the series between the two teams.cite web|title = Iowa Returns Home to Host Michigan on Homecoming|url = http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092903aab.html|publisher = HawkeyeSports.com|date = 2003-09-29|accessdate = 2007-10-18]

Down by 14 in the first quarter for the second straight game,cite web|title = No. 19 Iowa 30, No. 9 Michigan 27|url = http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/100403aab.html|publisher = HawkeyeSports.com|date = 2003-10-04|accessdate = 2007-10-19] the Hawkeyes came back to take a 30–20 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Michigan threatened the Iowa lead late, but the Hawkeyes held on for the 30–27 victory.cite web|title = Michigan vs. Iowa|url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103277/20031004NCAAFIOWA------0nr.htm|publisher = USA Today|date = 2003-10-04|accessdate = 2007-10-19] After the victory, Iowa lost on the road to Ohio State, but followed with home wins over Illinois and Penn State. With a loss to Purdue, Iowa's record was 7-3 with two regular season games remaining. Playing against Minnesota and the Big Ten's top-ranked offense, the Hawkeyes scored 33 points before the Gophers scored a touchdown.cite web|title = Minnesota vs. Iowa|url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103319/20031115NCAAFIOWA------0nr.htm|publisher = USA Today|date = 2003-11-15|accessdate = 2007-10-19]

Following the 40–22 victory, the Hawkeyes fell behind unranked Wisconsin 21–7 during the second quarter. Needing a pass deflection in the end zone by Sean Considine with no time remaining, the Hawkeyes scored 20 straight points and escaped with a 27–21 win and a 9-3 regular season record.cite web|title = Iowa vs. Wisconsin|url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103326/20031122NCAAFWISCONSIN-0nr.htm|publisher = USA Today|date = 2003-11-22|accessdate = 2003-10-19] Playing in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2004, the Hawkeyes won their first game in the state of Florida with a 37–17 victory over the Florida Gators. The win was also Iowa's first in the month of January since 1959.cite web|title = Iowa vs. Florida|url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores104/104001/20040101NCAAFFLORIDA---0nr.htm|publisher = USA Today|date = 2004-01-01|accessdate = 2007-10-19]

Previous season

Behind strong performances by quarterback Brad Banks, who finished second in the Heisman voting,cite web|title = Brad Banks|url = http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/banks_brad00.html|publisher = HawkeyeSports.com|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-19] and the Hawkeye rushing defense, which finished fifth-best in the country, Iowa finished 11-2 and shared the Big Ten championship with undefeated Ohio State.cite web|title = Big Ten Conference Football Standings 2002|url = http://www.goldfan.com/bigten/a02big.shtml|publisher = GoldFan.com|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-19] Despite losses to Iowa State and Southern California, the Hawkeyes finished with an 8-0 conference record that included wins over Michigan and Penn State. Iowa's lopsided 34–9 victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor was Michigan's worst home loss since 1967.cite web|title = Iowa shines in rare romp|url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20021027/ai_n12478725|publisher = Chicago Sun-Times|date = 2002-10-27|accessdate = 2007-10-19] The eleven wins are, to date, an Iowa record for wins in a single season.cite web|title = Iowa completes undefeated Big Ten season|url = http://www.centralohio.com/ohiostate/stories/20021117/football/390228.html|publisher = CentralOhio.com|date = 2002-11-17|accessdate = 2007-10-19]

Before the season

Recruiting class

On National Signing Day, February 5, 2003, the Hawkeyes signed 22 players on football scholarships. Brock Ita, who was not extended a scholarship, walked-on with the Hawkeyes.cite web|title = Brock Ita|url = http://iowa.scout.com/a.z?s=8&p=8&c=1&nid=584409|publisher = Scout.com|date = |accessdate = 2007-10-20]

Rankings

Entering the season, Iowa was unranked by both major polls.cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 17)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=1&seasonType=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-08-17|accessdate = 2007-10-26] cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 17)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=1&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-08-17|accessdate = 2007-10-26] However, the Hawkeyes would debut in the Coaches Poll as the 25th-ranked team before their first game against Miami University.cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 1 (Aug. 24)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=2&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-08-24|accessdate = 2007-10-26]

Schedule

CFB Schedule Entry
date = 08/30/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 25
opponent = Miami University
opprank =
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename =
tv = ESPN2
score = 21–3
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 09/06/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 23cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 2 (Aug. 31)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=3&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-08-31|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = University of Buffalo
opprank =
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename =
tv =
score = 56–7
overtime = CFB Schedule Entry
date = 09/13/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 19cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 3 (Sept. 7)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=4&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-09-07|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Iowa State
opprank =
site_stadium = Jack Trice Stadium
site_cityst = Ames, IA
gamename = Cy-Hawk Trophy
tv =
score = 40–21
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 09/20/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 14cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 4 (Sept. 14)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=5&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-09-14|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Arizona State
opprank = 16
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename =
tv = ESPN2
score = 21–2
overtime = CFB Schedule Entry
date = 09/27/2003
time =
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 9cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 5 (Sept. 21)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=6&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-09-21|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Michigan State
opprank =
site_stadium = Spartan Stadium
site_cityst = East Lansing, MI
gamename =
tv = ESPN GamePlan
score = 20–10
overtime = CFB Schedule Entry
date = 10/04/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming = yes
away =
neutral =
rank = 19cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 6 (Sept. 28)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=7&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-09-28|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Michigan
opprank = 11
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename =
tv = ABC Sports
score = 30–27
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 10/18/2003
time =
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 9cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 8 (Oct. 12)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=9&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-10-12|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Ohio State
opprank = 8
site_stadium = Ohio Stadium
site_cityst = Columbus, OH
gamename =
tv = ABC Sports
score = 19–10
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 10/25/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 16cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 9 (Oct. 19)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=10&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-10-19|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Penn State
opprank =
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename =
tv = ABC Sports
score = 26–14
overtime = CFB Schedule Entry
date = 11/01/2002
time =
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 14cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 10 (Oct. 26)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=11&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-10-26|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Illinois
opprank =
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename =
tv = ESPN GamePlan
score = 41–10
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 11/08/2003
time =
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 10cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 11 (Nov. 2)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=12&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-11-02|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Purdue
opprank = 14
site_stadium = Ross-Ade Stadium
site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN
gamename =
tv = ESPN
score = 27–14
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 11/15/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 20cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 12 (Nov. 9)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=13&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-11-09|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Minnesota
opprank = 17
site_stadium = Kinnick Stadium
site_cityst = Iowa City, IA
gamename = Floyd of Rosedale
tv = ESPN
score = 40–22
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = 11/22/2003
time =
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 17cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 13 (Nov. 16)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=14&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-11-16|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Wisconsin
opprank =
site_stadium = Camp Randall Stadium
site_cityst = Madison, WI
gamename =
tv = ABC Sports
score = 27–21
overtime = CFB Schedule Entry
date = 01/01/2004
time =
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral = yes
rank = 11cite web|title = 2003 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 15 (Nov. 30)|url = http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2003&weekNumber=16&seasonType=2&pollId=2|publisher = ESPN|date = 2003-11-30|accessdate = 2007-10-26]
opponent = Florida
opprank = 16
site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium
site_cityst = Tampa, FL
gamename = Outback Bowl
tv = ESPN
score = 37–17
overtime =

Notes