1979 Iowa Hawkeyes football team


The 1979 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1979 Big Ten Conference football season. It was the first season for new head coach Hayden Fry, who arrived in Iowa City after spending the previous six years at North Texas State.

Schedule

Roster

Game summaries

Indiana










On October 22, 2016, former Indiana University coach and current ESPN College Football analyst Lee Corso described the game on College Gameday. He said at halftime he told the Hoosiers to not bother coming out for the 2nd half unless they were prepared to win the game. Indiana would then go on to win the game 30-26.
Game StatisticsINDIANAIOWA
First Downs2522
Total Yards479389
Passing Yards316227
Rushing Yards143162
Penalties6-538-87
Turnovers33

at Oklahoma





Game StatisticsOKLAHOMAIOWA
First Downs2312
Total Yards452202
Passing Yards183139
Rushing Yards26963
Penalties4-405-36
Turnovers52

Nebraska








For the second week in a row, the Hawkeyes faced a Big 8 opponent ranked in the top 10. Iowa led 21-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter, but Nebraska tied the game then recovered a fumble before kicking the winning field goal late.

Iowa State








This game marked Hayden Fry's first win as head coach of the Hawkeyes.
Game StatisticsISUIOWA
First Downs1430
Total Yards162429
Passing Yards5651
Rushing Yards106378
Penalties4-357-63
Turnovers33

at Illinois

at Northwestern











Game StatisticsIOWANW
First Downs2516
Total Yards509320
Passing Yards145202
Rushing Yards364118
Penalties3-354-52
Turnovers08

Minnesota








Dennis Mosley broke Ed Podolak's single-season rushing record and caught a 75-yard touchdown pass in the win over the Badgers.

Purdue

at Ohio State

Michigan State











Game StatisticsMSUIOWA
First Downs1723
Total Yards395444
Passing Yards244204
Rushing Yards151238
Penalties3-281-20
Turnovers23

Awards and honors

Team players in the 1980 NFL Draft

PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL club
Dennis MosleyRB9232Minnesota Vikings
Jim SwiftOT9238Seattle Seahawks