1984 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1984 Iowa Hawkeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 15 16 8–4–1 5–3–1 Hayden Fry 6th Bill Snyder 6th Bill Brashier 6th Ronnie Harmon Owen Gill Jonathan Hayes Paul Hufford Keith Hunter Kevin Spitzig Kinnick Stadium Freedom Bowl champion Freedom Bowl W 55–17 vs. Texas The 1984 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 1984 Big Ten football season. In their sixth year under head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled an 8–4–1 record (5–3–1 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 304 to 184.Iowa gridders rode roller coaster in 1984 The Cedar Rapids Gazette December 23, 1984 8G, 9G https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-1984-iowa/198596411/ Newspapers.com After a 59–21 victory over Iowa State in the season opener, they were ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, but dropped out of the poll after losing No. 12 Penn State and No. 5 Ohio State in consecutive games. They concluded their season with a 55–17 victory over No. 19 Texas in the Freedom Bowl and were ranked No. 16 in the final AP poll and No. 15 in the final UPI poll.1984 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 22, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1984-schedule.html2022 Iowa Football Media Guide 196, 242 University of Iowa https://storage.googleapis.com/hawkeyesports-prod/2022/07/b99ff33b-2022_ia_fb_media-guide-online-version.pdf May 22, 2025 Key players included: linebacker Larry Station who was a consensus first-team All-American; running back Ronnie Harmon who was selected as the team's most valuable player; and defensive tackle Paul Hufford who was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Seven Iowa players, including Station, Harmon, Hufford, and quarterback Chuck Long received first-team honors on the 1984 All-Big Ten Conference football team. The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Schedule 1984 AP Central September 8 w y 10 Iowa State Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry IPTV 59–21 66,150 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-defense-helpa-haw/170175341/ The Sioux City Journal Defense helpa Hawkeyes rock ISU September 9, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 15 l y 5 Penn State 12 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 17–20 66,145 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-iowa-comeback-stopped/166857465/ Omaha World-Herald Iowa comeback stopped short on a day for defense September 16, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 22 l y 14 Ohio State 5 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH SV 26–45 89,733 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-byars-does-it-al/170171952/ Wisconsin State Journal Byars does it all in leading OSU past Iowa September 23, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 29 w y Illinois Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA CBS 21–16 66,322 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-hawkeyes-scalp-illin/170173597/ The Daily Nonpareil Hawkeyes scalp Illini; Harmon has best day September 30, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 6 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 31–3 36,598 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-iowa-defense-sparkles/170175480/ Quad-City Times Iowa defense sparkles October 7, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 13 w y Purdue 14 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 40–3 66,359 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-iowa-upsets-pur/170174715/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Iowa upsets Purdue October 14, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 20 w 18 Michigan Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA CBS 26–0 66,025 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-hawks-goose-egg/170175634/ The Des Moines Register Hawks 'goose egg' Wolverines, 26–0 October 21, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 27 w y 17 Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 24–20 37,747 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-iowa-pro-longs-ho/170175760/ The South Bend Tribune Iowa pro-Longs Hoosier misery October 28, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 3 t 17 Wisconsin Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry CBS 10–10 66,255 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-hawks-earn-costly/170175866/ The Rock Island Argus Hawks earn costly tie against Badgers November 4, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 10 l 18 Michigan State Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 16–17 65,887 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-spartans-knock-i/170175977/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Spartans knock Iowa from lead November 11, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 17 l y Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN rivalry 17–23 63,479 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/113891150/ Minneapolis Star and Tribune Gophers bowl over Iowa November 18, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com December 1 w y y Hawaii Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI 17–6 50,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-hawks-breathe-ea/170137348/ The Des Moines Register Hawks breathe easier after win in Hawaii December 3, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com December 26 w y y Texas 19 Anaheim Stadium Anaheim, CA Freedom Bowl Mizlou 55–17 24,093 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-longs-6-tds-lead/170117538/ The Los Angeles Times Long's 6 TDs lead a 55–17 Iowa win December 27, 1984 April 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18, 2015 sports-reference.com 1984 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1984-schedule.html Rankings November 2025 1984 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 15 12 (1) 10 (1) 5 (2) 14 NR NR NR 18 17 17 18 NR NR NR NR 16 Coaches 0 15 14 14 5 15 20 20 19 17 17 13 17 NR NR NR NR 15 Game summaries Iowa State Iowa State at #10 Iowa Cyclones 0 7 0 14 Hawkeyes 14 28 10 7 September 8 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 12:05 p.m. EDT 3:30 66,150 78 F, Showers possible, Wind SW 10-20 mph on Tom Quinn IPTV Source: Box Score and Game Recap, Box Score and Game Recap yes Q1 IOWA Strobel 38-yard interception return (Nichol kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 IOWA Happel 15-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 14–0 Q2 IOWA Smith 63-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 21–0 Q2 IOWA Hayes 3-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 28–0 Q2 IOWA O. Gill 3-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 35–0 Q2 ISU Davis 1-yard pass from Espinoza (Bochrodt kick) IOWA 35–7 Q2 IOWA R. Harmon 86-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 42–7 Q3 IOWA R. Harmon 68-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 49–7 Q3 IOWA T. Nichol 37-yard field goal IOWA 52–7 Q4 ISU Henderson 45-yard pass from Espinoza (Bochrodt kick) IOWA 52–14 Q4 6:55 IOWA Cotton 18-yard pass from K. Hatinon (Nichol kick) IOWA 59–14 Q4 ISU Hanson 12-yard pass from Espinoza (Bochrodt kick) IOWA 59–21 yes 1984 Iowa State Cyclones football team Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry September 8, 1984 Jack McCallum Jack McCallum 6. Iowa https://www.si.com/vault/1984/09/05/633956/6-iowa Sports Illustrated September 1, 2019September 9, 1984 Long bombards Iowa State https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/73324399/ The Pantagraph November 8, 2015 No. 12 Penn State #12 Penn State at #5 Iowa No. 12 Nittany Lions 0 13 0 7 No. 5 Hawkeyes 3 7 0 7 September 15 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 66,145 Source: Box score and Game story, Box Score and Game Recap yes Q1 IOWA Nichol 24-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q2 PSU Gancitano 21-yard field goal Tied 3–3 Q2 PSU Gancitano 35-yard field goal PSU 6–3 Q2 PSU Bellamy 24-yard pass from Strang (Gancitano kick) PSU 13–3 Q2 IOWA R. Harmon 15-yard run (Nichol kick) PSU 13–10 Q4 PSU Strang 1-yard run (Gancitano kick) PSU 20–10 Q4 IOWA Long 1-yard run (Nichol kick) PSU 20–17 yes 1984 Penn State Nittany Lions football team September 16, 1984 Penn State takes air out of Iowa http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1984/09/16/page/45/article/penn-state-takes-air-out-of-iowa Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 at No. 5 Ohio State #14 Iowa at #5 Ohio State No. 14 Hawkeyes 3 17 6 0 No. 5 Buckeyes 10 21 7 7 September 22 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,733 85 F, Clear and sunny, Wind S 10-15 mph on Jim Kemerling SV Source: Box score and Game story, Box Score https://web.archive.org/web/20151124180745/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/osu/graphics/pdf/m-footbl/1984/1984-03-Iowa.pdf 2015-11-24 yes Q1 6:10 OSU Spangler 23-yard field goal OSU 3–0 Q1 2:33 IOWA Tom Nichol 30-yard field goal Tied 3–3 Q1 2:13 OSU K. Byars 50-yard run (Spangler kick) OSU 10–3 Q2 13:43 IOWA Jordan 27-yard pass from Chuck Long (Nichol kick) Tied 10–10 Q2 9:07 OSU K. Byars 14-yard pass from M. Tomczak (Spangler kick) OSU 17–10 Q2 8:20 OSU Kolic 25-yard interception return (Spangler kick) OSU 24–10 Q2 7:41 OSU Lanese 35-yard pass from K. Byars (Spangler kick) OSU 31–10 Q2 2:49 IOWA Flagg 30-yard pass from Chuck Long (Nichol kick) OSU 31–17 Q2 0:08 IOWA Tom Nichol 41-yard field goal OSU 31–20 Q3 4:56 IOWA Chuck Long 2-yard run (two-point conversion failed) OSU 31–26 Q3 1:23 OSU K. Byars 7-yard run (Spangler kick) OSU 38–26 Q4 1:39 OSU Lanese 6-yard run (Spangler kick) OSU 45–26 yes 1984 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The Hawkeyes outgained the Buckeyes 458–335, but four turnovers (one returned for a touchdown) were too much to overcome on this trip to Columbus. Keith Byars ran, caught, and threw touchdowns for Ohio State. September 23, 1984 IOWA IS DEFEATED BY OHIO STATE, 45-26 https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/23/sports/iowa-is-defeated-by-ohio-state-45-26.html The New York Times November 8, 2015 Illinois Illinois at Iowa Fighting Illini 3 0 0 13 Hawkeyes 7 0 7 7 September 29 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 66,322 45 F, Sunny, Wind W 10 mph on Brent Musburger and Ara Parseghian CBS Source: Box score and Game story yes Q1 IOWA R. Harmon 2-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 ILL C. White 36-yard field goal IOWA 7–3 Q3 IOWA R. Harmon 8-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 14–3 Q4 ILL NAME 8-yard pass from Trudeau (two-point conversion failed) IOWA 14–9 Q4 IOWA R. Harmon 12-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 21–9 Q4 ILL Grant 4-yard pass from Trudeau (White kick) IOWA 21–16 yes 1984 Illinois Fighting Illini football team The Hawkeyes exacted some revenge for the whipping laid on them in Champaign the previous season. The win over the defending Big Ten champions snapped the Illini's 12-game conference winning streak. Ronnie Harmon had 3 touchdown runs for Iowa. September 30, 1984 Iowa halts Illini's Big Ten streak https://pantagraph.newspapers.com/newspage/73328338/ The Pantagraph November 18, 2015 At Northwestern Iowa at Northwestern Hawkeyes 14 10 0 7 Wildcats 0 3 0 0 October 6 Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois 36,598 Sources: Box Score and Game story yes 1 IOWA R. Harmon 2-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 7-0 1 IOWA R. Harmon 9-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 14-0 2 IOWA R. Harmon 17-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 21-0 2 NW J. Duvic 49-yard field goal IOWA 21-3 2 IOWA T. Nichol 28-yard field goal IOWA 24-3 4 IOWA S. Helverson 6-yard pass from Chuck Long (NIchol kick) IOWA 31-3 yes 1984 Northwestern Wildcats football team The Hawkeyes held Northwestern to only 49 yards of total offense, a mark that still stands as a single-game school record. Ronnie Harmon recorded 3 touchdown runs for the second straight game.October 7, 1984 Iowa crushes Northwestern http://pantagraph.newspapers.com/newspage/73331648/ The Pantagraph November 18, 2015 at No. 14 Purdue Iowa at #14 Purdue Hawkeyes 6 13 21 0 No. 14 Boilermakers 3 0 0 0 October 13 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 66,359 66 F, Cloudy with scattered showers, Wind SSW 12 mph on Jim Kemerling Sources: Box Score and Game story yes Q1 3:52 IOWA Smith 51-yard pass from Long (kick failed) IOWA 6–0 Q1 0:48 PUR Rendina 32-yard field goal IOWA 6–3 Q2 9:00 IOWA Nichol 22-yard field goal IOWA 9–3 Q2 3:03 IOWA Helverson 56-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 16–3 Q2 0:03 IOWA Nichol 38-yard field goal IOWA 19–3 Q3 7:49 IOWA Smith 31-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 26–3 Q3 4:20 IOWA Smith 38-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 33–3 Q3 3:31 IOWA Harmon 3-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 40–3 yes 1984 Purdue Boilermakers football team October 10, 1984 AT IOWA, HARMON MAKES OFFENSE GO https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/10/sports/at-iowa-harmon-makes-offense-go.html The New York Times November 24, 2015 Chuck Long went 17-21 for 369 yards and 4 TD as Iowa won in West Lafayette for the first time since 1956, snapping a 12-game losing skid at Ross–Ade Stadium.October 14, 1984 Iowa, Long destroy Purdue jinx http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1984/10/14/page/47/article/iowa-long-destroy-purdue-jinx Chicago Tribune November 8, 2015 Michigan Michigan at #18 Iowa Wolverines 0 0 0 0 No. 18 Hawkeyes 6 3 3 14 October 20 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 11:10 am CDT 3:02 66,025 ~55 F, Cloudy, chance of showers, Wind SW 10-15 mph on Tom Quinn Brent Musburger and Ara Parseghian CBS Sources: Box Score and Game story yes Q1 0:24 IOWA R. Harmon 3-yard run (Nichol kick failed) IOWA 6–0 Q2 6:24 IOWA Tom Nichol 29-yard field goal IOWA 9–0 Q3 11:02 IOWA Tom Nichol 46-yard field goal IOWA 12–0 Q4 13:47 IOWA O. Gill 10-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 19–0 Q4 3:47 IOWA Chuck Long 2-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 26–0 yes 1984 Michigan Wolverines football team The Hawkeyes' 26–0 shutout of the Wolverines would end up being Bo Schembechler's worst loss in 21 years as head coach at Michigan. October 20, 1984 IOWA DEALS SCHEMBECHLER WORST DEFEAT https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/21/sports/iowa-deals-schembechler-worst-defeat.html The New York Times November 8, 2015 October 20, 1984 No. 18 Iowa Gives Michigan Worst Loss in 16 Years, 26-0 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1984/10/21/no-18-iowa-gives-michigan-worst-loss-in-16-years-26-0/d05708f8-c08e-4143-9049-9e4ba3e14a94/ Washington Post November 8, 2015 At Indiana #17 Iowa at Indiana No. 17 Hawkeyes 7 7 10 0 Hoosiers 7 7 0 6 October 27 Memorial Stadium (Indiana), Bloomington, Indiana 37,747 Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA R. Harmon 35-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 IND Lilja 2-yard pass from Bradley (Rogers kick) Tied 7–7 Q2 IOWA Hayes 5-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 14–7 Q2 IND Kenebrew 10-yard pass from Bradley (Rogers kick) Tied 14–14 Q3 IOWA Happel 16-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 21–14 Q3 IOWA Nichol 36-yard field goal IOWA 24–14 Q4 IND Cook 7-yard pass from Bradley (pass failed) IOWA 24–20 yes 1984 Indiana Hoosiers football team Chuck Long set an NCAA record by completing 22 consecutive passesOctober 28, 1984 Long powers Iowa http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1984/10/28/page/29/article/long-powers-iowa Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 (record stood until 1998November 1, 1998 Martin Turns Tennessee Rout Into Tee Party https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-nov-01-sp-38378-story.html Los Angeles Times November 25, 2015 ) and tossed two touchdowns, and Ronnie Harmon ran for 160 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Indiana. Iowa sat atop the Big Ten standings after beating the Hoosiers, but would not win another conference game in 1984. Wisconsin Wisconsin at #17 Iowa Badgers 10 0 0 0 No. 17 Hawkeyes 0 0 3 7 November 3 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 11:10 a.m. EST 3:10 66,255 ~55 F, Clear and sunny, Wind SSW 15-20 mph on Jim Kemerling Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 8:59 WIS Gregoire 25-yard field goal WIS 3–0 Q1 6:41 WIS Harrison 1-yard run (Gregoire kick) WIS 10–0 Q3 8:00 IOWA Nichol 26-yard field goal WIS 10–3 Q4 11:54 IOWA Long 1-yard run (Nichol kick) TIE 10–10 yes 1984 Wisconsin Badgers football team Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry November 4, 1984 HARMON INJURED AS IOWA TIES https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/04/sports/harmon-injured-as-iowa-ties.html The New York Times November 8, 2015 Michigan State Michigan State at #18 Iowa Spartans 7 7 3 0 No. 18 Hawkeyes 3 0 0 13 November 10 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 1:10 p.m. CST 3:00 65,887 ~42 F, Cloudy, possible rain and snow, Wind N 10-20 mph on Otho Kortz Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 7:29 IOWA Nichol 24-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q1 1:55 MSU L. White 2-yard run (Mojsiejenko kick) MSU 7–3 Q2 5:20 MSU Rolle 7-yard pass from Yarema (Mojsiejenko kick) MSU 14–3 Q3 2:23 MSU Mojsiejenko 24-yard field goal MSU 17–3 Q4 9:18 IOWA O. Gill 2-yard run (Nichol kick) MSU 17-10 Q4 0:44 IOWA Hayes 3-yard pass from Long (Long run failed) MSU 17–16 yes 1984 Michigan State Spartans football team November 11, 1984 OHIO ST. GRABS BIG TEN LEAD https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/11/sports/ohio-st-grabs-big-ten-lead.html The New York Times November 8, 2015 At Minnesota Iowa at Minnesota Hawkeyes 0 7 7 3 Golden Gophers 0 7 3 13 November 22 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis 7:10 p.m. CST 2:54 63,479 Indoors Jerry Hendrickson Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q2 14:55 IOWA O. Gill 11-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 7–0 Q2 5:00 MINN Starks 1-yard pass from Foggie (Lohmiller kick) Tied 7–7 Q3 13:00 IOWA Bill Happel 95-yard punt return (Nichol kick) IOWA 14–7 Q3 0:57 MINN Lohmiller 40-yard field goal IOWA 14–10 Q4 12:59 MINN Lohmiller 36-yard field goal IOWA 14–13 Q4 6:25 IOWA Tom Nichol 25-yard field goal IOWA 17–13 Q4 4:17 MINN Gary Couch 14-yard run (Lohmiller kick) MINN 20–17 Q4 0:56 MINN Lohmiller 34-yard field goal MINN 23–17 yes 1984 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Iowa–Minnesota football rivalry November 18, 1984 Minnesota Shocks Iowa http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1984/11/18/page/35/article/minnesota-shocks-iowa Chicago Tribune November 8, 2015 At Hawaii Iowa at Hawaii Hawkeyes 3 0 0 14 Rainbow Warriors 0 6 0 0 December 1 Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI 50,000 Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA Nichol 41-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q2 HAW Spelman 24-yard field goal Tied 3-3 Q2 HAW Spelman 42-yard field goal HAWAII 6-3 Q4 IOWA Hayes 3-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 10–6 Q4 2:31 IOWA Helverson 8-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 17–6 yes Hawaii Rainbows football December 2, 1984 Long, Iowa rally to down Hawaii http://pantagraph.newspapers.com/newspage/73160135/ The Pantagraph November 18, 2015 vs. No. 19 Texas (Freedom Bowl) #19 Texas vs. Iowa No. 19 Longhorns 0 17 0 0 Hawkeyes 14 10 31 0 December 26 Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California 5:26 pm PST 3:13 24,093 55 F, Rain Jack Gatto Sam Nover and Jack Snow Mizlou Source: Box Score https://web.archive.org/web/20190808020023/https://hawkeyesports.com/documents/2019/6/20//1984_Texas_Freedom_Bowl_.pdf 2019-08-08 yes 1 2 9:15 IOWA Hayes 6-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 7–0 3:27 Iowa Flagg 11-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 14–0 2 5 13:35 Texas Bryant 11-yard pass from Dodge (Ward kick) IOWA 14–7 10:14 IOWA Bush 1-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 21–7 5:34 Texas Harris 1-yard pass from Dodge (Ward kick) IOWA 21–14 2:23 Texas Ward 46-yard FG IOWA 21–17 0:00 IOWA Nichol 27-yard FG IOWA 24–17 3 5 13:03 IOWA Nichol 35-yard FG IOWA 27–17 12:05 IOWA Happel 33-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 34–17 7:09 IOWA Smith 49-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 41–17 4:53 IOWA Helverson 4-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 48–17 2:19 IOWA Hayes 15-yard pass from Long (Nichol kick) IOWA 55–17 yes 1984 Freedom Bowl 1984 Texas Longhorns football team Chuck Long 29–39, 461 yards, 6 TD Iowa Hawkeyes Official Athletic Site https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/27/sports/long-sets-records-as-iowa-triumphs.html Long Sets Records As Iowa Triumphs The New York Times December 27, 1984 January 3, 2015 Texas Iowa First downs 15 28 Rushing yards 35-115 41-91 Passing 17-34-2 30-40-0 Passing yards 185 469 Total Offense 300 560 Fumbles Lost 3-3 5-2 Punts-Average 5-43.0 4-42.0 Penalties 6-50 4-27 Team Category Player StatisticsTexas Passing Todd Dodge 16/32, 180 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Orr 12 carries, 67 yards Receiving Bryant 3 receptions, 50 yards, TDIowa Passing Chuck Long 29/39, 461 yards, 6 TD Rushing Owen Gill 17 carries, 61 yards Receiving Robert SmithBill Happel 4 receptions, 115 yards, TD8 receptions, 104 yards, TD Roster 1984 Iowa Hawkeyes f 55 So Dave Alexander OL 75 Jr Kevin Angel OL 13 Fr Rick Bayless RB y Rick Bayless (American football) 69 Jr Mike Bennett OL 35 Jr Fred Bush FB 78 Fr Malcolm Christie OL 61 So Dave Croston OT y 58 Fr Greg Divis OL 1 Fr Quinn Early WR y 86 Fr Mike Flagg TE 74 So Chris Gambol OL y 33 Sr Owen Gill RB y C 79 Jr Mike Haight OT y 40 Jr Bill Happel WR 7 Fr Kevin Harmon RB 31 Jr Ronnie Harmon RB y 34 Jr Jonathan Hayes TE y C 87 Jr Scott Helverson WR 65 Jr Tom Humphrey OG 16 Jr Chuck Long QB y 26 Eddie Polite RB 56 So Mark Sindlinger OL 2 So Robert Smith WR 53 So Mark Spranger OL 12 So Mark Vlasic QB y 73 Fr Herb Wester OL 83 Jr Jim McMachan WR 90 So Doug Burrell DE 29 Jr Nate Creer CB 18 Jr Kyle Crowe DB 37 So George Davis LB 76 So Jeff Drost DL y 64 Sr Paul Hufford DL y C 14 Sr Keith Hunter DB C 77 Sr George Little George Little (defensive lineman) DT y 98 Jr George Millett DE 21 Jr Devon Mitchell DB y 45 Jr Jay Norvell DB y 46 Sr Jim Yost DB50 Jr Hap Peterson DL 99 So Richard Pryor DE 38 Sr Kevin Spitzig LB C 36 Jr Larry Station LB y 41 Sr Mike Stoops DB y Sr Dave Strobel DE 51 Jr Bill Weires DL 3 Sr Tom Nichol P/K *Hayden Fry Bill Snyder – Offensive Coordinator/quarterbacks Bill Brashier – Defensive Coordinator Kirk Ferentz – Offensive line Carl Jackson – Running backs Del Miller – Offensive assistant Dan McCarney – Defensive line Barry Alvarez – Linebackers Don Patterson – Defensive Backs Bernie Wyatt – Defensive Ends/Recruiting Coordinator Bill Dervich – Strength and Conditioning Bob Stoops – Graduate Assistant Statistics The team gained an average of 215.3 passing yards and 167.8 rushing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 170.5 passing yards and 99.4 rushing yards per game.1984 Iowa Hawkeyes Stat Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 30, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1984.html Quarterback Chuck Long completed 187 of 283 passes (66.1%) for 2,410 yards, 16 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 147.1 passer rating. Running back Ronnie Harmon led the team in rushing (907 rushing yards) and touchdowns (12). Owen Gill ranked second in rushing with 859 yards. Wide receiver Bill Happel led the team in receiving with 39 receptions for 528 yards. Tight end Jonathan Hayes ranked second with 39 receptions for 442 yards, and Ronnie Harmon tallied 32 receptions for 318 yards. Awards and honors Linebacker Larry Station was a consensus selection on the 1984 All-America college football team,Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 March 18, 2017 3, 13 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf receiving first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Walter Camp Football Foundation, and Kodak (American Football Coaches Association).Station is a man in motion Quad City Times December 24, 1984 38 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-station/198592076/ Newspapers.com Station was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Larry Station National Football Foundation May 30, 2026 https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2245 Defensive tackle Paul Hufford was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Seven Iowa players received first-team honors on the 1984 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Long at quarterback (AP-1, UPI-1); Harmon at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive linemen Paul Hufford (AP-1, UPI-1) and George Little (AP-1, UPI-1); linebacker Larry Station (AP-1, UPI-1); and defensive backs Mike Stoops (AP-1, UPI-1) and Devon Mitchell (AP-1).Byars Unanimous All-Big Ten Choice The Blade (Toledo) November 28, 1984 36 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19841128&id=IW4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wwIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6808,3576009&hl=en1984 All-Big Ten Football team UPI.com November 19, 1984 http://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/11/19/1984-All-Big-Ten-Football-team/1750469688400/ 1985 NFL draft 1985 NFL draft 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Jonathan Hayes Tight end 2 41 Kansas City Chiefs Owen Gill Running back 2 53 Seattle Seahawks George Little Defensive tackle 3 65 Miami Dolphins Dave Strobel Linebacker 8 211 Cincinnati Bengalspro-football-reference.com 1985 NFL Draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1985.htm 2018-03-28 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221193413/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1985.htm dead References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Category:Freedom Bowl champion seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football