What Is 1928 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1928 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1928 college football season, finishing with a 3–4–1 record under head coach Burt Ingwersen. The team played its home games at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City and competed in the Big Ten Conference.

Key Facts

The 1928 Iowa Hawkeyes had a 3–4–1 overall record
Head coach Burt Ingwersen was in his third season
The team played in the Big Ten Conference
Home games were held at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City
The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State 13–6 that season

Overview

The 1928 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 1928 college football season, competing as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Led by head coach Burt Ingwersen, who was in his third year at the helm, the team played its home games at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, a venue that hosted Hawkeyes football for decades.

Despite high hopes for improvement, the 1928 season proved challenging, with the team finishing with a 3–4–1 overall record and a 1–3 mark in conference play. The season included narrow losses and hard-fought wins, reflecting a transitional period for the program amid growing competition in the Midwest.

Record: The Hawkeyes finished the season with a 3–4–1 overall record, indicating a below-average performance by historical standards.
Head Coach:Burt Ingwersen led the team in his third season, having taken over in 1926 after serving as an assistant under Burton J. Ingwersen.
Stadium: All home games were played at Iowa Stadium, a 53,000-seat facility in Iowa City that opened in 1929 but was under construction during this season.
Conference: As a member of the Big Ten Conference, Iowa faced strong opponents like Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio State during the season.
Season Opener: The team opened with a win over Monmouth College, a non-conference opponent, by a score of 20–0 in September 1928.

Season Highlights & Key Games

The 1928 season featured a mix of non-conference matchups and tough Big Ten contests, with the Hawkeyes showing flashes of potential but struggling with consistency. Several games were decided by a touchdown or less, highlighting the team’s competitiveness despite the losing record.

vs. Iowa State: Iowa defeated in-state rival Iowa State 13–6, a key win that preserved bragging rights and drew a large regional audience.
vs. Illinois: The Hawkeyes lost to Illinois 14–0, a team that would finish the season ranked among the nation’s best.
vs. Minnesota: A close 7–6 loss to Minnesota showed Iowa’s defensive strength but also offensive limitations.
vs. Purdue: Iowa fell to Purdue 14–7, despite a strong rushing performance from fullback George Thompson.
Final Game: The season concluded with a 7–7 tie against Northwestern, a result that underscored the team’s inability to close out games decisively.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1928 Iowa Hawkeyes with other Big Ten teams from the same season to contextualize their performance.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Key Result
Michigan	6–2	5–1	Beat Ohio State 13–0
Illinois	6–2	5–1	Defeated Iowa 14–0
Ohio State	4–3–1	3–2–1	Tied Michigan State
Iowa	3–4–1	1–3	Tied Northwestern 7–7
Indiana	4–4	2–4	Lost to Purdue

The table illustrates that Iowa’s 3–4–1 record placed them near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. While teams like Michigan and Illinois dominated, Iowa struggled to secure conference wins, managing only one victory against a non-conference foe. The tie with Northwestern was a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult season.

Why It Matters

The 1928 season is a footnote in the broader history of Iowa Hawkeyes football, but it reflects the challenges of building a competitive program in a rising conference. This era laid groundwork for future reforms in coaching, recruiting, and infrastructure that would later define the program’s identity.

Program Development: The struggles of 1928 highlighted the need for stronger offensive schemes and player development under Ingwersen.
Recruiting Shift: Iowa began focusing more on in-state talent, a trend that intensified in the 1930s.
Stadium Growth: The ongoing construction of Iowa Stadium signaled a long-term commitment to football facilities.
Conference Rivalries: Games against Iowa State and Minnesota helped solidify regional rivalries still relevant today.
Coaching Legacy: Ingwersen’s tenure, though modest, preceded the rise of more successful coaches like Eddie Anderson.
Historical Context: The 1928 season occurred during the final years before the Great Depression, influencing athletic funding and public interest.

Though not a standout year, the 1928 Iowa Hawkeyes season contributes to the rich tapestry of college football history, illustrating the ups and downs inherent in building a lasting sports program.