1973 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1973 Iowa Hawkeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 0–11 0–8 Frank Lauterbur 3rd Howard Vernon 1st Brian Rollins Dan Dickel Brian Rollins Roger Jerrick Kinnick Stadium The 1973 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1973 Big Ten football season. In their third and final year under head coach Frank Lauterbur, the Hawkeyes compiled a 0–11 record (0–8 in conference game), finished in last place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 401 to 140.1973 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 18, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1973-schedule.html2022 Iowa Football Media Guide 242 University of Iowa https://storage.googleapis.com/hawkeyesports-prod/2022/07/b99ff33b-2022_ia_fb_media-guide-online-version.pdf May 18, 2025 The 1973 Hawkeyes gained 1,599 rushing yards and 1,126 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 3,848 rushing yards and 716 passing yards. The team had both worst rush defense and the best pass defense in program history. They gave up 349.8 rushing yards per game, while holding opponents to average of only 65.1 passing yards per game.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, pp. 161, 277. The team's statistical leaders included Butch Caldwell (36-of-99 passing for 549 yards), Jim Jenson (509 rushing yards, 44 points scored), Brian Rollins (33 receptions for 408 yards), and Dan LeFleur (127 total tackles).2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, pp. 278-280. Jim Caldwell set an Iowa single-season record (still standing) with five blocked kicks.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 265. Rollins, center Roger Jerrick, and defensive end Dan Dickel were the team captains.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 220. Rollins was also selected as the team's most valuable player.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 222. Despite the team's winless record, the 1973 Hawkeyes included players that experienced significant success in their football careers. Rod Walters was a first round draft pick, Joe Devlin was a second round pick and started 179 games in the NFL, and Jim Caldwell was an assistant coach on two Super Bowl champions and reached the Super Bowl as a head coach.Iowa football team of 50 years ago went winless, yet had plenty of winners https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/iowa-football-team-of-50-years-ago-went-winless-yet-had-plenty-of-winners/ The Gazette August 27, 2023 September 4, 2023 The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Home attendance totaled 217,846, an average of 43,569 per game. It was Iowa's lowest per-game attendance since 1951.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260. Schedule 1973 AP September 15 l Michigan 5 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 7–31 52,105 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-easy-for-michigan/181869657/ The South Bend Tribune Easy for Michigan September 16, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 22 l y y UCLA 18 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 18–55 34,546 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-ucla-steamrolls-iowa/181653125/ Santa Cruz Sentinel UCLA steamrolls Iowa September 23, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 l y y Penn State 6 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 8–27 59,980 https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-penn-st-rolls-ove/181650360/ Staten Island Advance Penn St. rolls over Iowa, 27–8 September 30, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 6 l y Arizona Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 20–23 40,365 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-iowa-loses-again/156796649/ Chicago Tribune Iowa loses again October 7, 1973 October 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 l y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 15–31 25,194 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-wildcats-aerials-hand-iowa/181868838/ Tulsa World Wildcats' aerials hand Iowa 5th setback, 31–15 October 14, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 20 l y Minnesota Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 23–31 55,137 https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-gophers-rally-to-down/181866654/ Grand Forks Herald Gophers rally to down Hawkeyes by 31–23 October 21, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 l y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 0–50 46,864 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-illini-50-iowa/181867298/ The Des Moines Register Illini 50, Iowa 0 – Ouch! 467 on ground October 28, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 l Purdue Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 23–48 39,120 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-purdues-northington/181868589/ The Kokomo Tribune Purdue's Northington scores 5 TDs as Boilers whip Iowa November 4, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 l y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 7–35 55,560 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-wisconsin-whips-io/181869294/ The La Crosse Tribune Wisconsin whips Iowa November 11, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 17 l y Ohio State 1 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 13–55 87,447 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-blistering-bucks-r/181866365/ Lansing State Journal Blistering Bucks rout Iowa, 55–13 November 18, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 24 l Michigan State Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 6–15 31,119 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-defense-sparkles-in-msu/181868243/ The Saginaw News Defense sparkles in MSU's 15–6 victory November 25, 1973 September 27, 2025 Newspapers.com 1973-74 Football Schedule https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/football/schedule/season/1973-74/ University of Iowa Athletics September 4, 2023College Football @ Sports-Reference.com Schedule/Results (1973 Iowa) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/363827 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 27, 2025 Game summaries No. 5 Michigan 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team No. 5 Michigan at Iowa No. 5 Wolverines 10 7 7 7 Hawkeyes 0 7 0 0 September 15, 1973 Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA CDT 52,105 69 F, Cloudy, Wind W 5 mph on Source: Box Score yes 1 2 12:50 Mich Lantry 39-yard field goal Mich 3–0 6:53 Mich Heater 1-yard run (Lantry kick) Mich 10–0 2 2 9:28 Iowa Earl Douthitt 47-yard interception return (Kokolus kick) Mich 10–7 3:51 Mich Thornbladh 3-yard run (Lantry kick) Mich 17–7 3 9:33 Mich Chapman 12-yard run (Lantry kick) Mich 24–7 4 7:38 Mich Franklin 11-yard run (Lantry kick) Mich 31–7 yes Mighty Michigan 'grounds' Hawkeyes, 31-7 https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-09-17.pdf Daily Iowan 10 September 17, 1973 September 4, 2023 at No. 18 UCLA 1973 UCLA Bruins football team Iowa at No. 18 UCLA Hawkeyes 10 0 0 8 No. 18 Bruins 3 21 10 21 September 22, 1973 Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA CDT 34,456 Source: Box Score yes 1 3 UCLA Herrera 24-yard field goal UCLA 3–0 Iowa Kokolus 45-yard field goal Tied 3–3 Iowa Rollins 11-yard pass from Skogman (Kokolus kick) Iowa 10–3 2 3 UCLA James McAlister 1-yard run (Herrera kick) Tied 10–10 UCLA Harmon 1-yard run (Herrera kick) UCLA 17–10 UCLA John Sciarra 2-yard run (Herrera kick) UCLA 24–10 3 2 UCLA Johnson 9-yard run (Herrera kick) UCLA 31–10 UCLA Herrera 44-yard field goal UCLA 34–10 4 4 UCLA Tyler 4-yard run (Lantry kick) UCLA 41–10 Iowa Skogman 5-yard run (Jenson pass from Skogman) UCLA 41–18 UCLA Raymond Burks 46-yard pass from John Sciarra (Herrera kick) UCLA 48–18 UCLA John Sciarra 7-yard run (Herrera kick) UCLA 55–18 yes Explosive UCLA rips Hawkeyes 55-18 https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-09-24.pdf Daily Iowan 10 September 24, 1973 September 4, 2023 at No. 6 Penn State 1973 Penn State Nittany Lions football team Iowa at No. 6 Penn State Hawkeyes 0 0 0 8 No. 6 Nittany Lions 21 0 6 0 September 29, 1973 Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA CDT 59,980 Source: Box Score yes 1 3 11:36 PSU Cappelletti 16-yard run (Bahr kick) Penn State 7–0 5:20 PSU Herd 9-yard pass from Shuman (Bahr kick) Penn State 14–0 3:08 PSU Bland 32-yard pass from Shuman (Bahr kick) Penn State 21–0 3 PSU Herd 12-yard pass from Shuman (Bahr kick failed) Penn State 27–0 4 Iowa Jensen 7-yard pass from Caldwell (Caldwell run) Penn State 27–8 yes Silver lining in Hawkeye defeat https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-10-01.pdf Daily Iowan 10 October 1, 1973 September 4, 2023 Arizona 1973 Arizona Wildcats football team Arizona at Iowa Wildcats 7 3 10 3 Hawkeyes 7 3 3 7 October 6, 1973 Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA CDT 40,365 69 F, Cloudy, Wind S 10 mph on Source: Box Score yes 1 2 Iowa Jensen 1-yard run (Kokolus kick) Iowa 7–0 Ariz Hamilton 20-yard run (Gorham kick) Tied 7–7 2 2 Iowa Gorham 33-yard field goal Ariz 10–7 Iowa Kokolus 41-yard field goal Tied 10–10 3 3 10:32 Ariz Upchurch 7-yard run (Gorham kick) Ariz 17–10 6:44 Iowa Kokolus 20-yard field goal Ariz 17–13 0:34 Ariz Gorham 28-yard field goal Ariz 20–13 4 2 12:54 Iowa Butch Caldwell 39-yard run (Kokolus kick) Tied 20–20 2:09 Ariz Gorham 23-yard field goal Ariz 23–20 yes Late field goal topples Hawkeyes, 23-20 https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-10-08.pdf Daily Iowan 12 October 8, 1973 September 4, 2023 at Northwestern 1973 Northwestern Wildcats football team Iowa at Northwestern Hawkeyes 0 6 7 2 Wildcats 14 10 7 0 October 13, 1973 Dyche StadiumEvanston, IL CDT 25,194 Source: Box Score yes 1 2 9:19 NW Jim Trimble 1-yard run (Blazevich kick) NW 7–0 7:51 NW Boykin 12-yard run (Blazevich kick) NW 14–0 2 3 14:57 NW Blazevich 21-yard field goal NW 17–0 10:16 NW Key 3-yard run (Blazevich kick) NW 24–0 5:41 Iowa Jensen 1-yard run (pass failed) NW 24–6 3 2 8:56 Iowa Schultz 35-yard pass from Skogman (Kokolus kick) NW 24–13 0:28 NW McNamara 29-yard pass from Anderson (Blazevich kick) NW 31–13 4 7:26 Iowa Safety, punt snap out of end zone NW 31–15 yes Hapless Hawkeyes hit bottom https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-10-15.pdf Daily Iowan 12 October 15, 1973 September 4, 2023 Minnesota 1973 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Minnesota at Iowa Golden Gophers 6 16 2 7 Hawkeyes 14 3 6 0 October 20, 1973 Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA CDT 55,137 71 F, Clear, Wind SE 5-7 mph on Source: Box Score Hawks bow to Gophers; FXL rakes negative views https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-10-22.pdf Daily Iowan 12 October 22, 1973 September 4, 2023 at Illinois 1973 Illinois Fighting Illini football team Iowa at Illinois Hawkeyes 0 0 0 0 Fighting Illini 6 13 3 28 October 27, 1973 Memorial StadiumChampaign, IL CST 48,864 Light rain, 54 F C Source: Box Score Illinois deals Hawks seventh loss, 50-0 https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-10-29.pdf Daily Iowan 16 October 29, 1973 September 4, 2023 Purdue 1973 Purdue Boilermakers football team Purdue at Iowa Boilermakers 14 14 14 6 Hawkeyes 7 0 0 16 November 3, 1973 Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA CDT 39,120 47 F, Cloudy, Wind N 10 mph on Source: Box Score Purdue freshman Mike Northington ran for 146 yards and tied a Big Ten-record with five touchdowns on 31 carries. Also of note, the Boilermakers scored their final touchdown with just 39 seconds remaining, attempting a failed two-point conversion after the score.Purdue's Northington blitzes Hawks, 48-23 https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-11-05.pdf Daily Iowan 12 November 5, 1973 September 4, 2023 at Wisconsin 1973 Wisconsin Badgers football team Iowa at Wisconsin Hawkeyes 0 0 7 0 Badgers 21 7 0 7 November 10, 1973 Camp Randall StadiumMadison, WI CST 55,560 Clear, 35 F C Otho Kortz Source: Box Score yes 1 3 13:45 Wisc Marek 45-yard run (Lamia kick) Wisconsin 7–0 10:20 Wisc Marek 5-yard run (kick blocked) Wisconsin 13–0 0:18 Wisc Marek 32-yard run (Bohlig run) Wisconsin 21–0 2 2:09 Wisc Rhodes 31-yard pass from Bohlig (Lamia kick) Wisconsin 28–0 3 9:47 Iowa Fetter 6-yard run (Kokolus kick) Wisconsin 28–7 4 5:20 Wisc Marek 1-yard run (Lamia kick) Wisconsin 35–7 yes Wisconsin sophomore Billy Marek ran for 203 yards and 4 touchdowns. at No. 1 Ohio State 1973 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Iowa at No. 1 Ohio State Hawkeyes 0 0 0 13 No. 1 Buckeyes 14 13 21 7 November 17, 1973 Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH EST 87,447 Clear, 42 F C Source: Box Score yes 1 2 10:21 OSU Bruce Elia 1-yard run (Blair Conway kick) Ohio State 7–0 4:30 OSU Elia 1-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio State 14–0 2 2 2:27 OSU Cornelius Greene 1-yard run (kick failed) Ohio State 20–0 0:07 OSU Dave Hazel 41-yard run pass from Cornelius Greene (Conway kick) Ohio State 27–0 3 3 7:38 OSU Elia 3-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio State 34–0 2:49 OSU Archie Griffin 8-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio State 41–0 0:34 OSU Elia 3-yard run (Conway kick) Ohio State 48–0 4 3 14:48 Iowa Bill Schultz 78-yard pass from Butch Caldwell (Kokolus kick) Ohio State 48–7 8:22 Iowa Rod Wellington 2-yard run (pass failed) Ohio State 48–13 6:44 OSU Elmer Lippert 12-yard run (Tom Klaban kick) Ohio State 55–13 yes Ohio State sophomore Archie Griffin ran for 246 yards on 30 carries, establishing single-game and single-season school records for rushing yardage. Junior fullback Bruce Elia had 4 rushing touchdowns for the Buckeyes.Awesome Buckeyes thrash Iowa, 55-13 https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1973/di1973-11-19.pdf Daily Iowan 14 November 19, 1973 September 4, 2023 Michigan State 1973 Michigan State Spartans football team Michigan State at Iowa Spartans 0 2 10 3 Hawkeyes 0 0 0 6 November 24, 1973 Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA CDT 31,119 48 F, Cloudy, Wind NW 6-12 mph on Source: Box Score Roster 1973 Iowa Hawkeyes y 17 So Butch Caldwell QB 11 Sr Kyle Skogman QB 22 So Jim Jensen RB y Jim Jensen (running back) 72 So Joe Devlin OL y Joe Devlin (American football) Sr Roger Jerrick C 60 Jr Dan McCarney OL y 76 So Rod Walters OL y 85 Sr Brian Rollins WR Bill Schultz WR 41 So Rod Wellington RB 20 So Andre Jackson LB 55 Dan LaFleur LB 21 Fr Jim Caldwell DB y Jim Caldwell (American football) 46 Jr Earl Douthitt DB y 29 So Rick Penney DB 88 Sr Dan Dickel DE y Joe Heppner P 3 Harry Kokolus K Frank Lauterbur Howard Vernon Jack Harbaugh Team players in the 1974 NFL draft 1974 NFL draft 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Dan Dickel Linebacker 7 170 Baltimore Colts https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1974/draft.htm 1974 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com September 4, 2023 References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Category:College football winless seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football