What Is 2013 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

Overview

The 2013 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Big Ten Conference's Legends Division, the team was led by head coach Kirk Ferentz in his 15th year at the helm and played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, securing a spot in a postseason bowl game. They capped off their campaign with a victory in the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl, defeating Boston College 27–20 in Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2013, to finish with an overall record of 7–6.

• Mark Weisman led the team in rushing with 1,654 yards, ranking among the top rushers in the Big Ten and setting a single-season school record for rushing touchdowns with 21.
• The team’s offense averaged 17.5 points per game, a significant drop from previous years, reflecting struggles in consistency and efficiency throughout the season.
• Defensively, Iowa ranked in the top 25 nationally in total defense, allowing just 320.8 yards per game, showcasing strength despite offensive shortcomings.
• The Hawkeyes started the season 5–2, including a 34–24 win over rival Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk game, but lost four of their final five regular-season games.
• They finished third in the Big Ten Legends Division with a 4–4 conference record, behind Michigan State and Nebraska, but qualified for a bowl based on win total.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign featured a mix of strong defensive play and inconsistent offensive execution. While the defense remained a hallmark of Iowa football, the offense struggled to maintain momentum, particularly in key conference matchups.

• Mark Weisman rushed for over 100 yards in nine games, becoming a focal point of the offense and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.
• Quarterback James Vandenberg had departed after 2012, leaving C.J. Beathard and Jake Rudock to split time, with Beathard starting most games as a redshirt freshman.
• Iowa’s passing attack averaged only 143.6 yards per game, ranking near the bottom of the FBS, highlighting a run-heavy, conservative offensive approach.
• The defense was led by linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who recorded 113 tackles and was named first-team All-Big Ten, anchoring a unit that forced 23 turnovers.
• Special teams contributed with kicker Mike Meyer, who made 20 of 25 field goals and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight year.
• The team’s most notable win came in the Pinstripe Bowl, where they overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Boston College 27–20, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2010.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Iowa Hawkeyes’ key statistical categories against the previous season and the Big Ten average:

The data shows that while Iowa improved its win total and rushing output in 2013, it lagged behind conference averages in scoring and passing. The defensive strength and bowl victory marked a step forward after a disappointing 2012 season.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season represented a modest rebound for the Hawkeyes program after a losing record in 2012. It restored some confidence in Ferentz’s leadership and laid groundwork for future recruiting and development.

• Finishing 7–6 gave Iowa its first winning season since 2010, helping stabilize the program during a transitional offensive period.
• The emergence of Mark Weisman provided a reliable power-running identity, influencing offensive strategy in subsequent years.
• Winning the Pinstripe Bowl boosted morale and provided valuable postseason experience for young players like C.J. Beathard.
• The defense’s strong performance reinforced Iowa’s tradition of fielding disciplined, hard-hitting units under Ferentz.
• Improved recruiting followed, with the 2014 class showing higher Rivals and 247Sports rankings due to renewed momentum.
• The season also highlighted the need for offensive modernization, pushing the staff to gradually incorporate more diverse passing concepts in later years.

Ultimately, the 2013 Iowa Hawkeyes served as a bridge between rebuilding years and a return to consistent competitiveness in the mid-2010s.