2001 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
Encyclopedia
The 2001 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa
and the Iowa Hawkeyes football
program during the 2001 college football season
. Coached by Kirk Ferentz
, the Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium
in Iowa City, Iowa
.
with five straight losses, adding to a losing streak that totaled 13 games when the Hawkeyes lost to Indiana
on September 30, 2000. However, the streak came to an end a week later, when the Hawks defeated Michigan State
, 21–16, giving Ferentz his first ever Big Ten
win as head coach
at Iowa. Following a three-game losing streak, the Hawkeyes traveled to State College, Pennsylvania
, for a game against Penn State. The Hawks won the game, 26–23, and followed it up the next week with another win, this time over Northwestern
. The 27–17 victory gave Iowa a two-game winning streak, something that had not occurred for the Hawkeyes since the 1997 season
. Iowa finished the season with a 27–24 loss on November 18, 2000, against Minnesota.
in Kyle McCann and Jon Beutjer, and even received playing time from junior college
transfer Brad Banks
during the season. Ladell Betts
and Kahlil Hill
came back for their senior seasons at the running back
and wide receiver
positions respectively. Hill would go on win the Mosi Tatupu Award
following the completion of the season.
On defense, the Hawkeyes looked to improve on their rushing defense numbers from the previous season. In 2000, Iowa gave up 194.3 yards rushing, ninth in the Big Ten. Aaron Kampman
returned for his senior season on the defensive line, while fellow senior Mike Dolezal looked to replace LeVar Woods
and Derrick Davison at linebacker
. Iowa's passing defense in 2000 allowed 247 yards passing a game, tenth in the Big Ten. It was thought that added experience in that area would help improve that aspect of Iowa's defense.
The special teams returned Hill and sophomore
Nate Kaeding
, who hit 14-of-22 field goals
and 20-of-20 extra point
s during his freshman
season. In 2000, Hill finished second in the Big Ten with a 27.2-yard kickoff
return average. Hill was also named to the first-team all-Big Ten team by the Sporting News for his 2000 performances.
and Illinois
in 2001.
On offense, Betts ran for 99 yards, while fellow running back Aaron Greving scored three touchdown
s. In total, Iowa ran for 331 yards, which compared favorably to the 113 yards for Kent State. Jeremy Allen and Fred Russell also contributed, with 73 and 46 rushing yards respectively. Allen also scored the first touchdown of his career during the game, on a 14-yard run during the first quarter. Defensively, the Hawkeyes held Kent State to 13 first downs and 203 total offensive yards. Iowa held the Golden Flashes to 90 yards passing; Kent State quarterback Jeff Valentino completed 3 of his 13 passes for 35 yards before being taken out of the game. McCann and Banks threw for 165 and 71 yards respectively, while Dallas Clark
led the Hawks in receiving, with five catches for 84 yards. The loss was Kent State's sixth straight, dating back to the previous season.
For Iowa, the win capped a week in which Beutjer, a possible starter at quarterback, left the team. Beutjer cited feeling "betrayed" by Iowa coaches, and Iowa player Bruce Nelson
said that it would not "disrupt what we’ve got going." Following the game, Ferentz noted that practice on the Thursday before the game was the best in his tenure at Iowa, while Kent State head coach Dean Pees
expressed disappointment in his team's performance. The next week, Kent State ended their six-game losing streak with a 38–17 victory over Bucknell.
was scheduled originally for September 15, but due to the September 11 attacks, it was postponed or canceled like all sporting events planned for that weekend. The game was rescheduled for November 24, which turned out to be a natural fit since many other major rivalries were played that weekend.
The Cyclones scored a touchdown in each of the first two quarters to head into halftime with a 14-0 lead. Iowa responded finally in the third quarter with two touchdowns of their own.
The final scoring play of the game came early in the fourth quarter, with Tony Yelk kicking a 32-yard field goal to put the Cyclones up 17-14. An interception by Adam Runk with 1:37 remaining sealed the game for the Cyclones.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
and the Iowa Hawkeyes football
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
program during the 2001 college football season
2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
. Coached by Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz
Kirk James Ferentz is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since 1999. From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine. He has also served as an assistant coach...
, the Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
.
Previous season
Iowa opened the 2000 season2000 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Oklahoma Sooners claiming their first national championship and their first conference championship since the departure of head coach Barry Switzer....
with five straight losses, adding to a losing streak that totaled 13 games when the Hawkeyes lost to Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
on September 30, 2000. However, the streak came to an end a week later, when the Hawks defeated Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
, 21–16, giving Ferentz his first ever Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
win as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
at Iowa. Following a three-game losing streak, the Hawkeyes traveled to State College, Pennsylvania
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
, for a game against Penn State. The Hawks won the game, 26–23, and followed it up the next week with another win, this time over Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
. The 27–17 victory gave Iowa a two-game winning streak, something that had not occurred for the Hawkeyes since the 1997 season
1997 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season, play of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I-A level, began in late summer 1997 and culminated with the major bowl games in early January 1998. The national championship was...
. Iowa finished the season with a 27–24 loss on November 18, 2000, against Minnesota.
Season outlook
2001 was marked as a potential turning point for the Hawkeyes, a year in which a bowl berth was entirely possible. The Hawks returned two potential starters at quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
in Kyle McCann and Jon Beutjer, and even received playing time from junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
transfer Brad Banks
Brad Banks
Brad Banks is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Washington Redskins...
during the season. Ladell Betts
Ladell Betts
Matthew Ladell Betts is an American football running back who is currently a free agent He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa....
and Kahlil Hill
Kahlil Hill
Kahlil Hill is a professional American and Canadian football wide receiver. He has played for the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and BC Lions of the...
came back for their senior seasons at the running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
positions respectively. Hill would go on win the Mosi Tatupu Award
Mosi Tatupu Award
The Mosi Tatupu Award was given annually to the College Football Special Teams Player of the Year by the Maui Quarterback Club and the Hula Bowl, from 1997 to 2006....
following the completion of the season.
On defense, the Hawkeyes looked to improve on their rushing defense numbers from the previous season. In 2000, Iowa gave up 194.3 yards rushing, ninth in the Big Ten. Aaron Kampman
Aaron Kampman
Aaron Allan Kampman is an American football defensive end and linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa....
returned for his senior season on the defensive line, while fellow senior Mike Dolezal looked to replace LeVar Woods
LeVar Woods
LeVar Woods is an American football linebacker. He was originally signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2001, played for a season and a half with the Detroit Lions , and finished his career with the Tennessee Titans...
and Derrick Davison at linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
. Iowa's passing defense in 2000 allowed 247 yards passing a game, tenth in the Big Ten. It was thought that added experience in that area would help improve that aspect of Iowa's defense.
The special teams returned Hill and sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding
Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...
, who hit 14-of-22 field goals
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
and 20-of-20 extra point
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
s during his freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
season. In 2000, Hill finished second in the Big Ten with a 27.2-yard kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
return average. Hill was also named to the first-team all-Big Ten team by the Sporting News for his 2000 performances.
Schedule
Iowa's schedule did not include Big Ten teams Ohio State2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2001-2002. It marked their first season under new head coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes compiled a 7–5 record, capped by a 26–20 victory over their fierce rival the Michigan...
and Illinois
2001 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
The 2001 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season season. Led by senior quarterback Kurt Kittner, the team won the Big Ten Conference title and earned a Sugar Bowl berth, but lost to LSU, 47–34.-Schedule:...
in 2001.
Roster
The following is the roster from Iowa's 2001 season.Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight End
|
Offensive line
Defensive line
|
Linebacker
Defensive back
Place Kicker
Punter
|
||||
Sources: SI.com 2001 football roster |
||||||
Kent State
Opening the season on September 1, 2001, the Hawkeyes defeated the Kent State Golden Flashes, 51–0, in front of 56,091 fans at Kinnick Stadium. The win was Iowa's first in a season opener under Ferentz, and it improved the Hawkeyes' record in season openers to 80–31–2.On offense, Betts ran for 99 yards, while fellow running back Aaron Greving scored three touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. In total, Iowa ran for 331 yards, which compared favorably to the 113 yards for Kent State. Jeremy Allen and Fred Russell also contributed, with 73 and 46 rushing yards respectively. Allen also scored the first touchdown of his career during the game, on a 14-yard run during the first quarter. Defensively, the Hawkeyes held Kent State to 13 first downs and 203 total offensive yards. Iowa held the Golden Flashes to 90 yards passing; Kent State quarterback Jeff Valentino completed 3 of his 13 passes for 35 yards before being taken out of the game. McCann and Banks threw for 165 and 71 yards respectively, while Dallas Clark
Dallas Clark
Dallas Dean Clark is an American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Iowa...
led the Hawks in receiving, with five catches for 84 yards. The loss was Kent State's sixth straight, dating back to the previous season.
For Iowa, the win capped a week in which Beutjer, a possible starter at quarterback, left the team. Beutjer cited feeling "betrayed" by Iowa coaches, and Iowa player Bruce Nelson
Bruce Nelson (American football)
Bruce Edward Nelson is a former American football guard and center of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. His NFL career was limited to two seasons because of hip injuries. He played college football at Iowa...
said that it would not "disrupt what we’ve got going." Following the game, Ferentz noted that practice on the Thursday before the game was the best in his tenure at Iowa, while Kent State head coach Dean Pees
Dean Pees
Dean Pees is an American football coach who is currently the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Pees is also a former head coach at Kent State University.-College:...
expressed disappointment in his team's performance. The next week, Kent State ended their six-game losing streak with a 38–17 victory over Bucknell.
Miami University
Penn State
Purdue
Michigan State
Indiana
Michigan
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Minnesota
Iowa State
The annual battle for the Cy-Hawk TrophyCy-Hawk Trophy
The Cy-Hawk Trophy is the trophy awarded to the winner of the American college football intra-state rivalry game played annually between Big 12 Conference member Iowa State Cyclones of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference.Conceived and created as a...
was scheduled originally for September 15, but due to the September 11 attacks, it was postponed or canceled like all sporting events planned for that weekend. The game was rescheduled for November 24, which turned out to be a natural fit since many other major rivalries were played that weekend.
The Cyclones scored a touchdown in each of the first two quarters to head into halftime with a 14-0 lead. Iowa responded finally in the third quarter with two touchdowns of their own.
The final scoring play of the game came early in the fourth quarter, with Tony Yelk kicking a 32-yard field goal to put the Cyclones up 17-14. An interception by Adam Runk with 1:37 remaining sealed the game for the Cyclones.
Texas Tech
Team players in the NFL
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL Club |
| Ladell Betts Ladell Betts Matthew Ladell Betts is an American football running back who is currently a free agent He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa.... |
Running Back | 2 | 56 | Washington Redskins 2002 Washington Redskins season The 2002 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 8–8 record from 2001.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... |
| Aaron Kampman Aaron Kampman Aaron Allan Kampman is an American football defensive end and linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa.... |
Defensive End | 5 | 156 | Green Bay Packers 2002 Green Bay Packers season During the 2002 Green Bay Packers season, the team completed a 12-4 regular season with before losing in the Wild Card playoff round to Michael Vick's Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field... |
| Kahlil Hill Kahlil Hill Kahlil Hill is a professional American and Canadian football wide receiver. He has played for the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and BC Lions of the... |
Wide Receiver | 6 | 184 | Atlanta Falcons 2002 Atlanta Falcons season The 2002 Atlanta Falcons season was their 37th in the league. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7-9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in four years. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-34 at the end of overtime... |