1991 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

The 1991 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 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 13th year under head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled a 10–1–1 record (7–1 in conference games), finished in second place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 330 to 166. In games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 7 Michigan and defeated No. 13 Illinois, No. 13 Ohio State and No. 25 Indiana. They concluded the season with a tie game against unranked BYU in the 1991 Holiday Bowl. They were ranked No. 10 in the final AP and UPI polls. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Matt Rodgers with 2,054 passing yards, running back Mike Saunders with 919 rushing yards, and wide receiver Danan Hughes with 43 receptions for 757 yards eight touchdowns. Defensive end Leroy Smith was a consensus first-team All-American and was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and recorded 18 sacks, including five in Iowa’s 16–9 win over Ohio State. The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. == Schedule == == Rankings == == Game summaries == === Hawaii === This game was essentially over at halftime as Iowa cruised to start the season 1-0. === At Iowa State === Iowa had little trouble getting their ninth consecutive victory in this in-state rivalry contest. === Northern Illinois === === No. 7 Michigan === In the 1991 Big Ten opener, the Hawkeyes led 18–7 midway through the second quarter, but could not stop the Michigan ground game as the Wolverines rolled up 371 yards rushing on 50 attempts. This game essentially decided the conference championship as both teams won the remainder of their Big Ten games. Prior to kickoff, 1957 Outland Trophy winner Alex Karras was presented with a plaque from the College Football Hall of Fame. === At Wisconsin === === No. 13 Illinois === The Hawkeyes ended up having a happy homecoming in a game where they were outplayed in the first half in this top 15 showdown. === At Purdue === === At No. 13 Ohio State === The Hawkeyes played without decals on their helmets in honor of the fallen from an on-campus shooting the day before. Leroy Smith recorded a school-record 5 sacks in the road victory over the Buckeyes. === No. 25 Indiana === Mike Saunders became the fifth Iowa player to score four touchdowns in a game, tying the school record. The Iowa defense forced four interceptions from Indiana quarterback Trent Green. === At Northwestern === === Minnesota === The Hawkeyes closed the regular season with a win in the snow, giving Coach Fry his 100th victory at Iowa. === Vs. BYU (Holiday Bowl) === == Roster == == Statistics == Team statistics. On offense, the Hawkeyes gained an average of 225.1 passing yards and 182.1 rushing yards per game. They ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring offense with an average of 28.6 points per game. On defense, they gave up an averag of 145.7 passing yards and 125.8 rushing yards per game. They led the Big Ten in scoring defense, giving up an average of 14.9 points per game. Passing. Quarterback Matt Rodgers completed 166 of 255 passes (65.1%) for 2,054 yards, 14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 143.0 passer rating. Rushing. Mike Saunders led the team in rushing with 919 yards on 197 carries (4.7 yards per carry). Saunders also led the team in scoring with 78 points. Receiving. Wide receiver Danan Hughes led the team with 38 receptions for 709 yards. Tight end Alan Cross ranked second with 484 receiving yards on 30 catches. Defense. Defensive end Leroy Smith had 17 quarterback sacks, breaking Larry Bethea's pevious Big Ten record of 16. He also broke the Iowa record with 22 tackles for loss. == Awards and honors == Hayden Fry and Michigan's Gary Moeller were selected as co-Big Ten Coach of the Year. Defensive end Leroy Smith was a consensus pick for the 1991 All-America college football team, receiving first-team honors from Kodak/American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Associated Press (AP). He was also chosen as the co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Center Mike Devlin received second-team All-America honors from the UPI. He was named to the third team by the Associated Press (AP). Fry called him "a catalyst" who "gets everybody fired up" and who will "beat you thinking and he'll beat you phsycially." Smith and Devlin also received first-team honors on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Quarterback Matt Rodgers, tackle Rob Baxley, linebacker John Derby, and defensive end Ron Geater were named to the second team. == 1992 NFL draft == The following Hawkeyes were selected in the 1992 NFL draft after the season. == References ==