What Is 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7-6 record under head coach Kirk Ferentz. They played in the Big Ten Conference's West Division and earned a spot in the Pinstripe Bowl, where they lost to Mississippi State 44-7.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 7-6 overall record and 4-4 in Big Ten Conference play
Played in the 2014 New York City Bowl (Pinstripe Bowl) on December 27, 2014
Lost the Pinstripe Bowl to Mississippi State 44-7
Head coach Kirk Ferentz was in his 15th season leading the Hawkeyes
Quarterback Mark VandeBerg started 10 games before injury, throwing for 1,755 yards and 11 touchdowns

Overview

The 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Representing the University of Iowa, the team was led by head coach Kirk Ferentz, who was in his 15th season at the helm. Playing their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, securing bowl eligibility.

Competing in the Big Ten's West Division, Iowa showed resilience despite inconsistent offensive performance throughout the year. The team earned a bid to the Pinstripe Bowl, marking their 11th consecutive bowl appearance under Ferentz. However, their postseason run ended in a lopsided 44-7 defeat to Mississippi State, highlighting defensive struggles in adverse weather conditions.

Record: The Hawkeyes finished the season 7-6 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten play, placing fourth in the West Division.
Bowl Game: They participated in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27, 2014, held at Yankee Stadium in New York City.
Performance: Iowa was outgained 409-255 in total yards by Mississippi State, with the defense surrendering 31 first downs.
Quarterback Play:Mark VandeBerg started 10 games, throwing for 1,755 yards and 11 touchdowns before injury sidelined him late in the season.
Defensive Standouts: Defensive end Drew Ott recorded 7.5 sacks, while linebacker Max Bullough led the team with 89 tackles.

How It Works

The 2014 season followed the standard structure of a college football campaign, including a 12-game regular season, conference alignment, and bowl eligibility rules. Iowa’s schedule featured a mix of non-conference and Big Ten matchups, culminating in postseason play based on win-loss record and conference tie-ins.

Regular Season: The Hawkeyes played 12 regular-season games, including non-conference contests against Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, and Purdue.
Big Ten Play: As members of the West Division, Iowa faced division rivals like Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
Home Field:Kinnick Stadium hosted six home games, averaging over 70,000 fans per game despite midwestern weather.
Injuries: Starting quarterback Jake Rudock left mid-season; VandeBerg took over before also getting injured.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams needed at least six wins to qualify for a bowl game, which Iowa achieved with their 7-5 regular-season record.
Coaching Staff: Offensive coordinator Greg Davis and defensive coordinator Bob Stoops shaped game strategies throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes compared to other Big Ten West teams and their own recent seasons:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
Iowa	7-6	4-4	Lost Pinstripe Bowl 44-7	Unranked
Wisconsin	11-3	6-2	Won Holiday Bowl	11
Nebraska	9-4	5-3	Won Holiday Bowl	25
Minnesota	8-5	5-3	Won Citrus Bowl	Unranked
Purdue	7-6	4-4	Won Independence Bowl	Unranked

The 2014 season reflected a middling performance for Iowa compared to division leaders like Wisconsin and Nebraska. While they matched Purdue’s record, the Hawkeyes underperformed offensively, averaging just 20.8 points per game—below the conference average. The loss in the Pinstripe Bowl underscored ongoing issues with consistency, especially in high-pressure games.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a transitional year for the Hawkeyes, highlighting both resilience and areas needing improvement. It marked the continuation of Kirk Ferentz’s long tenure, emphasizing program stability even amid moderate results.

Program Consistency: Making their 11th straight bowl demonstrated sustained competitiveness under Ferentz.
Quarterback Development: The season exposed the need for depth, as injuries to both Rudock and VandeBerg disrupted offensive rhythm.
Defensive Strength: Despite the bowl loss, Iowa ranked 14th nationally in total defense, allowing just 315.8 yards per game.
Recruiting Impact: Moderate success affected recruiting momentum, though Iowa still attracted solid regional talent.
Weather Challenges: The Pinstripe Bowl was played in snow and freezing rain, impacting gameplay and strategy.
Conference Evolution: As the Big Ten realigned into divisions, Iowa’s 4-4 record reflected their struggle to dominate the West.

Overall, the 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes season was a case study in perseverance and the challenges of maintaining elite status in a competitive conference. While not a standout year, it laid groundwork for future improvements.