What Is 1931 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1931 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 1931 college football season, finishing with a 5–3 record under head coach Burt Ingwersen and playing in the Big Ten Conference.

Key Facts

The 1931 Iowa Hawkeyes had a final record of 5 wins and 3 losses.
Head coach Burt Ingwersen led the team in his fifth season.
They played their home games at Kinnick Stadium, though it was then known as Iowa Stadium.
The Hawkeyes scored 131 total points and allowed 98 points to opponents.
Iowa finished in a tie for 4th place in the Big Ten Conference that season.

Overview

The 1931 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 1931 college football season. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the team was led by head coach Burt Ingwersen, who was in his fifth year at the helm.

The Hawkeyes played a challenging schedule against regional and conference opponents, finishing the season with a winning record. Their performance reflected a mix of strong offensive output and defensive resilience, marking a step forward from previous years.

Record: The team finished the season with a 5–3 overall record, including a 2–2 mark in Big Ten play.
Head coach:Burt Ingwersen coached his fifth season in 1931 and compiled a 5–3 record before being replaced the following year.
Home stadium: The Hawkeyes played home games at Iowa Stadium, which was later renamed Kinnick Stadium in 1972.
Scoring: Iowa scored 131 points across eight games, averaging 16.4 points per game, a solid output for the era.
Defensive performance: The defense allowed 98 total points, holding four opponents to single-digit scoring.

Season Performance

The 1931 season showcased Iowa's competitive spirit in a transitional period for college football. The team demonstrated consistency against both conference and non-conference opponents.

September 26 game: Iowa opened the season with a 20–0 win over Monmouth, setting a strong tone with a shutout victory.
October 3 game: A 7–6 win over Indiana proved to be a narrow, hard-fought victory on the road.
October 10 game: The Hawkeyes dominated Minnesota 19–7 at home, marking a key conference win.
October 17 game: A tough 20–7 loss to Illinois ended a three-game winning streak, showing vulnerabilities.
November 7 game: A 13–0 win over Northwestern highlighted defensive strength with another shutout.
Final game: The season concluded with a 34–0 loss to Notre Dame, exposing gaps against elite national competition.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1931 Hawkeyes compared to other Big Ten teams that season:

Team	Overall Record	Big Ten Record	Points For	Points Against
Michigan	6–2	4–1	152	75
Illinois	6–2	5–1	171	67
Ohio State	7–1	5–1	177	44
Iowa	5–3	2–2	131	98
Indiana	2–5	1–4	52	108

The table shows that while Iowa’s overall record was respectable, their conference performance placed them mid-tier. They scored more than lower-ranked teams but allowed more points than top contenders, reflecting a balanced but inconsistent season.

Why It Matters

The 1931 season was a pivotal chapter in the evolution of Iowa football, bridging earlier struggles with future success. Though not a championship year, it laid groundwork for program development.

Program continuity: Burt Ingwersen’s leadership provided stability, though he was replaced after the 1931 season.
Recruiting impact: Strong performances helped attract regional talent to Iowa City in the early 1930s.
Stadium legacy: Games at Iowa Stadium contributed to the growing tradition of Kinnick Stadium.
Conference presence: A 4th-place Big Ten finish kept Iowa competitive in a strong conference.
Historical context: The season occurred during the Great Depression, affecting attendance and funding.
Future implications: The team’s mix of wins and losses led to strategic changes in coaching and recruiting.

The 1931 Iowa Hawkeyes may not be remembered as legends, but they played a crucial role in maintaining the program’s momentum during a formative era.