The 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa and were led by head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa finished the regular-season with an 11-1 record, and were unbeaten in Big Ten Conference games at 8-0. The one loss came to rival Iowa State. With all the regular season success, which included a Co-Big Ten championship, the Hawkeyes could do little right in the 2003 Orange Bowl and lost 38-17 to the USC Trojans. Despite the loss, the 11 wins established an Iowa record for wins in a single season (matched in 2009, surpassed in 2015).
Coming off a 7–5 season that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Texas Tech, things were looking up for the Iowa Hawkeyes. However, the Hawkeyes had to replace six offensive starters and four defensive starters. Quarterback Brad Banks and running back Fred Russell looked to take a much bigger role in the offense. Russell would ultimately secure the starting spot as junior decided to quit the team. Tight end Dallas Clark would also play a big role in the passing game.
On defense, the Hawkeyes lost all-conference defensive tackle Aaron Kampman, but had three players – Fred Barr, Benny Sapp, and Bob Sanders – on the Nagurski watch list. However, on August 5, 2002 Benny Sapp was arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication leading to his being kicked off the team before the season started and his eventual transfer to the University of Northern Iowa and leaving the Hawkeyes very thin at cornerback. In total, Iowa returned six defensive starters as opposed to only five offensive starters. The Hawkeyes also returned punter David Bradley and kicker Nate Kaeding.
For lack of experience on offense, the Hawkeyes were unranked in both polls to start the season. They were also picked by Sports Illustrated to have a season similar to the year before, saying that another trip to the Alamo Bowl "should be viewed as a success."[2]
Ranking movements Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Kevin Worthy 75-yard fumble return (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 14-0
1
9:29
Iowa
Safety, ball through end zone
Iowa 16-0
1
8:10
Iowa
Fred Russell 35-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 23-0
1
5:02
Iowa
C.J. Jones 56-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 30-0
1
0:10
Iowa
Mo Brown 36-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 37-0
2
11:54
Akron
Matthew Cherry 8-yard pass from Charlie Frye (Billy Sullivan kick)
Iowa 37-7
2
9:39
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 44-7
2
3:06
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 51-7
2
0:00
Akron
Jamie Goodwin 31-yard pass from Charlie Frye (Billy Sullivan kick)
Iowa 51-14
3
12:30
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal
Iowa 54-14
3
7:35
Akron
Brandon Payne 1-yard run (Billy Sullivan kick)
Iowa 54-21
4
13:36
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal
Iowa 57-21
See also: 2002 Akron Zips football team
Iowa’s offense proved unstoppable as Fred Russell and combined for 293 of the Hawkeyes' 376 rushing yards. Quarterback Brad Banks was steady in his debut, completing five of his eight passes, two for touchdowns. Wide receiver Mo Brown was on the receiving end of both of Banks' touchdowns. The defense was suspect at times (nearly 300 passing yards by Akron), but linebacker picked up the slack with a 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Iowa's 37 points in the first quarter was a school record for points in a single quarter.[9][10]
Michael Larkin 26-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Jared Parseghian kick)
Tied 10-10
2
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 27-yard field goal
Iowa 13-10
3
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 49-yard field goal
Iowa 16-10
3
Miami
Mike Iriti fumble recovered by Calvin Murray in end zone (Jared Parseghian kick)
Miami 17-16
3
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 12-yard run (Two-point attempt failed)
Iowa 22-17
4
Iowa
C.J. Jones 48-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 29-17
4
Miami
Jason Brand 24-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Jared Parseghian kick)
Iowa 29-24
See also: 2002 Miami RedHawks football team
Facing a Ben Roethlisberger-led Miami squad, the Hawkeyes struggled to a five-point victory. Fred Russell ran for over 100 yards for the second straight week and Mo Brown caught five passes for 115 yards and one touchdown. Banks went head-to-head with Roethlisberger, throwing for 256 yards. Roethlisberger passed the ball 51 times, and completed 33 of them for 343 yards but had two interceptions. Capitalizing on several Iowa mistakes, the RedHawks were in the game late into the fourth quarter but could not pull off the upset at home.[11]
Mo Brown 50-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 17-7
2
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 10-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 24-7
3
Iowa St
Seneca Wallace 5-yard run (Adam Benike kick)
Iowa 24-14
3
Iowa St
Jamaul Montgomery 7-yard pass from Seneca Wallace (Adam Benike kick)
Iowa 24-21
3
Iowa St
Joe Woodley 1-yard run (Adam Benike kick)
ISU 28-24
3
Iowa St
Safety
ISU 30-24
4
Iowa St
Adam Benike 36-yard field goal
ISU 33-24
4
Iowa St
Adam Benike 38-yard field goal
ISU 36-24
4
Iowa
Mo Brown 20-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
ISU 36-31
See also: 2002 Iowa State Cyclones football team
Having not beaten their in-state rivals in the four previous seasons, the Hawkeyes quickly grabbed a 17-point halftime lead. But Iowa State'sSeneca Wallace was not about to leave Iowa City with a loss. Coupled with two Banks fumbles in Iowa territory, a stellar performance by the senior quarterback led to 29 straight Iowa State points. Despite holding Iowa State to 85 yards rushing, Iowa's last touchdown was a little too late, and the Cyclones ran out the clock after Iowa failed an onside kick attempt.[12]
C.J. Jones 12-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 7-0
1
Iowa
Edgar Cervantes 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 14-0
2
Iowa
Brad Banks 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 21-0
2
Utah St
Roger Robinson 25-yard run (Dane Kidman kick)
Iowa 21-7
2
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 35-yard field goal
Iowa 24-7
3
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 74-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 31-7
3
Iowa
Aggies punt blocked, recovered by Mike Follett, advanced for a touchdown (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 38-7
3
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 50-yard field goal
Iowa 41-7
3
Iowa
Jared Clauss fumble recovery in end zone
Iowa 48-7
See also: 2002 Utah State Aggies football team
For the second straight week, the Hawkeyes held a 24–7 advantage at halftime. But this time, the Hawks did all the scoring in the 3rd quarter to salt the game away. Iowa was without starting running back Fred Russell but did an excellent job in replacement. The sophomore had 109 yards on only 9 rushes. The Hawkeyes also got scores off a blocked punt by Sean Considine recovered by and a fumble recovery by Jared Clauss. As a team, the Hawkeyes racked up exactly 300 yards rushing and 518 yards of total offense.[13][14]
at No. 12 Penn State[]
Hawkeyes (3-1) at #12 Nittany Lions (3-0) Big Ten Opener
1
2
3
4
OT
Total
• Hawkeyes
17
9
9
0
7
42
No. 12 Nittany Lions
0
7
6
22
0
35
Date: September 28, 2002
Location:Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Game start: 12:05 PM EDT
Game attendance: 108,247
TV announcers (ESPN):Mark Jones (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color commentator) & Holly Rowe (Sideline reporter)
C.J. Jones 4-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 7-0
1
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 47-yard field goal
Iowa 10-0
1
Iowa
Fred Russell 20-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 17-0
2
Iowa
Ed Hinkel 22-yard pass from Brad Banks (PAT blocked)
Iowa 23-0
2
Penn St
B. Johnson 28-yard pass from Z. Mills (R. Gould kick)
Iowa 23-7
2
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 55-yard field goal
Iowa 26-7
3
Penn St
Larry Johnson 1-yard run (PAT blocked)
Iowa 26-13
3
Iowa
D.J. Johnson 99-yard blocked PAT return
Iowa 28-13
3
Iowa
Mo Brown 54-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 35-13
4
Penn St
Larry Johnson 36-yard pass from Z. Mills (R. Gould kick)
Iowa 35-20
4
Penn St
T. Johnson 44-yard pass from Z. Mills (C. Canter run for two-point conversion)
Iowa 35-28
4
Penn St
B. Johnson 8-yard pass from Z. Mills (R. Gould kick)
Tied 35-35
OT
Iowa
C.J. Jones 6-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 42-35
See also: 2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
Iowa opened up Big Ten play against the #12 team in the country, the Penn State Nittany Lions. On the heels of three quick touchdowns and one field goal, the Hawkeyes opened up the game with an unexpected 23–0 lead. When Penn State finally got on the scoreboard, Iowa quickly answered back with a Nate Kaeding 55-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. Holding a 35–13 lead going into the 4th quarter, things were looking ripe for a Hawkeye upset. But Penn State quarterback Zack Mills had the game of his career and threw three touchdown passes in the final 7:13 to tie the game at 35. Mills had a total of 399 passing yards in the game. However, Penn State was not able to answer an Iowa touchdown in the first overtime and, for the first time since 1996, Iowa had beaten a ranked opponent on the road. The win vaulted the Hawkeyes into the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1997.[15][16][17]
Purdue[]
Boilermakers (3-2) at #24 Hawkeyes (4-1) Homecoming
Dallas Clark 7-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 31-28
See also: 2002 Purdue Boilermakers football team
In a game that was full of big plays, Iowa did just enough to win on Homecoming weekend. Iowa scored three times on special teams, once on a blocked field goal, once on a blocked punt and once on a 51-yard Nate Kaeding field goal. But even a 95-yard touchdown pass from Brad Banks to Dallas Clark wasn't enough to keep the Boilermakers from making a comeback. Scoring on two rushing touchdowns in the 4th quarter, Purdue quickly turned a 10-point deficit into a four-point lead. And after Banks was sacked on 4th down with only 2:44 remaining, it seemed as if Purdue would escape with the victory. But the Boilermakers could do nothing with their three downs and had to punt the ball away. Banks wasted no time, running for a 44-yard gain to the Purdue 43 on the first play of the drive. Later, on 4th down from the Purdue seven-yard line, Banks connected with Clark once again, this time for the game-winning touchdown. Purdue had one last chance, but a late interception by Adolphus Shelton secured the Iowa victory.[18]
C.J. Jones 62-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 24-7
2
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 43-yard field goal
Iowa 27-7
3
Iowa
Fred Russell 9-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 34-7
3
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 28-yard field goal
Iowa 37-7
3
Iowa
C.J. Jones 25-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 44-7
4
Mich St
B. Lovett 20-yard pass from Jeff Smoker (D. Rayner kick)
Iowa 44-14
4
Mich St
Safety, D. Bradley ran out of end zone
Iowa 44-16
See also: 2002 Michigan State Spartans football team
Iowa's defense was strong against Michigan State, as the Hawkeyes held the Spartans to just 249 yards of total offense. No one really stood out on offense, but the Hawkeyes once again got scores from the defense and the special teams. Immediately following a Spartan touchdown, Iowa's returned the kick 94 yards for the touchdown. Later in the 1st quarter, Derek Pagel took an interception 62 yards for the touchdown. C.J. Jones scored twice on passes from Brad Banks as Iowa scored 44 consecutive points spanning the first three quarters. Iowa also held Michigan State's Charles Rogers from scoring a touchdown, ending Rogers' consecutive game streak with a touchdown reception at 14.[19][20]
Mo Brown 65-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 24-6
4
2:53
Indiana
Safety
Iowa 24-8
See also: 2002 Indiana Hoosiers football team
Running back Fred Russell was the star on offense, running for 110 yards and two touchdowns. But aside from 's three interceptions and the eight points allowed, the defense was not up to par. The Hawkeyes allowed 480 yards of total offense, including 334 yards passing by Indiana'sGibran Hamdan. The Hawkeyes also made several mental errors by fumbling the ball twice while Brad Banks threw a rare interception. The game could have been much closer had Steen not intercepted all three passes deep in Iowa territory. The three interceptions is also an Iowa single-game record.[21][22]
at No. 8 Michigan[]
#13 Hawkeyes (7-1) at #8 Wolverines (6-1)
1
2
3
4
Total
• No. 13 Hawkeyes
10
0
14
10
34
No. 8 Wolverines
0
6
3
0
9
Date: October 26, 2002
Location:Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Game start: 12:10 PM EDT
Game attendance: 111,496
TV announcers (ESPN):Mark Jones (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color commentator) & Holly Rowe (Sideline reporter)
C.J. Jones 39-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 7-0
1
3:12
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 51-yard field goal
Iowa 10-0
2
1:13
Mich
Chris Perry 1-yard run (PAT failed)
Iowa 10-6
3
12:31
Mich
A Finley 40-yard field goal
Iowa 10-9
3
8:57
Iowa
C.J. Jones 3-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 17-9
3
2:58
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 5-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 24-9
4
14:47
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 23-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 31-9
4
2:49
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 27-yard field goal
Iowa 34-9
See also: 2002 Michigan Wolverines football team
Behind a solid effort from running back and wide receiver C.J. Jones, the Hawkeyes quickly jumped out to a 10–0 lead. And if it were not for a fumbled punt, the game wouldn't have gotten any closer. As it was, Michigan'sChris Perry scored moments later and Iowa took a 10–6 lead into halftime. After a Michigan field goal pushed the score to 10–9, Iowa took over. The Hawkeyes scored 24 unanswered points to finish the game as Lewis and Jones racked up two touchdowns each. Quarterback Brad Banks threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns as Iowa handed Michigan their worst home loss since 1967. The win propelled the Hawkeyes into the AP Top 10 for the first time since the 1991 season.[23][24][25][26]
Mo Brown 21-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 10-3
3
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 30-yard field goal
Iowa 13-3
3
Iowa
Dallas Clark 23-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 20-3
See also: 2002 Wisconsin Badgers football team
Quarterback Brad Banks threw for a career-high 275 yards while the Hawkeye defense held the Badgers to just 78 yards rushing. In total, Wisconsin had 215 yards of offense. Iowa's Mo Brown and Dallas Clark finished with a combined 204 receiving yards and had both of Iowa's touchdowns. As a result of Iowa's powerful defense, Wisconsin lost two quarterbacks to injury, Brooks Bollinger and Jim Sorgi. Iowa's defense also held running back Anthony Davis to a career-low 34 yards on 16 rushes. After the victory, Iowa was 6–0 in the Big Ten for the first time in school history.[27][28]
Mo Brown 40-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 14-0
1
8:18
NW
A. Aikens 8-yard pass from Brett Basanez (D. Wasielewski kick)
Iowa 14-7
2
12:28
Iowa
Brad Banks 9-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 21-7
2
10:19
Iowa
Mo Brown 65-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 28-7
2
5:21
NW
D. Wasielewski 26-yard field goal
Iowa 28-10
2
2:18
Iowa
Brad Banks 19-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 35-10
3
13:18
Iowa
Ed Hinkel 58-yard punt return (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 42-10
3
9:36
Iowa
Dallas Clark 28-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 49-10
3
6:43
Iowa
C.J. Jones 22-yard pass from Nathan Chandler (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 56-10
4
12:49
Iowa
Marcus Schnoor 5-yard run (PAT blocked)
Iowa 62-10
See also: 2002 Northwestern Wildcats football team
On Senior Day, Brad Banks was a perfect 10-for-10 for 197 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored on two of Iowa's four rushing touchdowns. Iowa's receivers were busy as Mo Brown, Dallas Clark and C.J. Jones all had touchdowns. Freshman wideout even got in on the action, scoring on a 58-yard punt return. Running back Fred Russell returned from a hand injury, and ran for 100 yards in becoming Iowa's 10th player to have a 1,000-yard rushing season. Iowa's victory tied a school record for wins in a season at 10.[29][30]
A. Burns 11-yard pass from A. Abdul-Khaliq (D. Nystrom kick)
Tied 7–7
1
0:29
Iowa
Jermelle Lewis 6-yard run
Iowa 14–7
2
13:22
Iowa
Brad Banks 11-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 21–7
2
7:48
Iowa
Mo Brown 31-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 28–7
2
0:32
Minn
A. Abdul-Khaliq 1-yard run (D. Nystrom kick)
Iowa 28–14
3
11:12
Iowa
Clinton Solomon 6-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 35–14
3
5:55
Minn
A. Abdul-Khaliq 1-yard run (D. Nystrom kick)
Iowa 35–21
4
14:57
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 21-yard field goal
Iowa 38–21
4
7:27
Iowa
Brad Banks 1-yard run
Iowa 45–21
See also: 2002 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
Iowa's defense forced six Minnesota turnovers en route to a 45–21 victory. The Hawkeyes only had 100 yards passing, mainly because their running game couldn't be stopped. Fred Russell and combined for 295 of Iowa's 365 rushing yards while Brad Banks threw for two touchdowns and ran for two touchdowns. Mo Brown caught his tenth touchdown pass of the season, which tied Quinn Early for touchdown receptions in a season. The win was Iowa's tenth straight Big Ten win, the longest such streak since a 13-game streak in the 1920s. The game was also played in front of the largest crowd to ever see a Minnesota Golden Gophers football game at the Metrodome.[31][32][33]
vs. USC (Orange Bowl)[]
#3 Hawkeyes (11-1) vs. #5 Trojans (10-2) Orange Bowl
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 3 Hawkeyes
10
0
0
7
17
• No. 5 Trojans
7
3
14
14
38
Date: January 2, 2003
Location:Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game start: 9:00 PM EST
Elapsed time: 3:46
Game attendance: 75,971
Referee: J.Childress
TV announcers (ABC):Tim Brant (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color commentator) & Sam Ryan (Sideline reporter)
C.J. Jones 100-yard kickoff return (Nate Kaeding kick)
Iowa 7-0
1
12:46
USC
Justin Fargas 4-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick)
Tied 7-7
1
6:26
Iowa
Nate Kaeding 35-yard field goal
Iowa 10-7
2
1:12
USC
Ryan Killeen 35-yard field goal
Tied 10-10
3
10:14
USC
Mike Williams 18-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)
USC 17-10
3
4:58
USC
Justin Fargas 50-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick)
USC 24-10
4
14:25
USC
Sultan McCullough 5-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick)
USC 31-10
4
2:36
USC
Byrd 6-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick)
USC 38-10
4
0:34
Iowa
Mo Brown 18-yard pass from Brad Banks (Nate Kaeding kick)
USC 38-17
Main article: 2003 Orange Bowl
See also: 2002 USC Trojans football team
The game opened up with a bang for the Hawkeyes, as C.J. Jones took the opening kickoff 100-yards for the touchdown. But as it turns out, it would be the only time until late in the fourth quarter that the Hawkeyes would see the endzone. Although the game was tied at halftime, USC blocked Iowa's last-second field goal, preventing a possible Iowa lead at the half. From there, Heisman winner Carson Palmer went to work. The senior quarterback threw for over 300 yards against the Big Ten's worst passing defense and led scoring drives of 79, 80, 99, 85 and 61 yards as the Trojans held a 16-minute advantage in time of possession. The USC defense was suffocating and Iowa's miscues were proof. The Hawkeyes had two turnovers, 13 penalties, and multiple missed opportunities.
[34]
Postseason Awards[]
Kirk Ferentz – Named Big Ten Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Coach of the Year, and AP College Football Coach of the Year.
Nate Kaeding – Winner of the Lou Groza Award,[36] presented to the nation's best kicker. Also received first-team All-American honors along with Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent.
Dallas Clark – Winner of the John Mackey Award,[37] given to the nation's best tight end. Consensus first-team All-American.