The 1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium and were led by legendary coach Hayden Fry.
After starting 7-1 and rising to #6 in the polls, Iowa finished the season with an 8-4 record (6-2 Big Ten), winning a four-way tie for the Big Ten Conference championship by defeating the three other teams atop the conference standings – Michigan, Michigan State, and Illinois – in their respective head-to-head matchups. The Hawkeyes earned their third trip to Pasadena in ten years, but fell behind early in the 1991 Rose Bowl and lost 46-34 to the Washington Huskies. It would be another 25 years before Iowa would make a return trip to the Rose Bowl.
Game summaries
Cincinnati
Cincinnati at Iowa
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Bearcats |
7 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
• Hawkeyes |
0 |
28 | 21 | 14 |
63 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | 1:45 | CIN | Abrams 1-yard run (Rowe kick) | CIN 7–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Matt Rodgers 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Matt Rodgers 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | Tied 14–7 |
| 2 | 12:21 | IOWA | Nick Bell 12-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 21–7 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Tony Stewart 69-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 28–7 |
| 2 | 0:29 | CIN | Rowe 27-yard field goal | IOWA 28–10 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Lew Montgomery 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 35–10 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Matt Rodgers 11-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 42–10 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Jim Hartlieb 2-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 49–10 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Kujawa 13-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 56–10 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Jim Hartlieb 11-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 63–10 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
First meeting |
Kicking off the start of the 1990 Iowa Hawkeye season, the Hawks welcomed in the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bearcats finished out the '89 season at 1–9–1 as the Hawks finished out at 5–6. In a game that ended up in a blowout, the Hawks cruised to a 63–10 win. Iowa managed to set records as well as they pummeled the Cincinnati defense. After Cincinnati built a 7–0 lead after an interception and a 1-yard touchdown run from Joe Abrams, the Hawks took command for the afternoon. After a scoreless first quarter, quarterback Matt Rodgers led the Hawks to 28 unanswered points, following two touchdowns from Rodgers, and one each from running backs Nick Bell and Tony Stewart. Cincinnati scored its last points of the game with a late field goal and ended the half with Iowa up 28–10. After halftime, Iowa went on cruise control. Iowa went on to score 21 points in the 3rd and 14 in the 4th to win the contest 63–10. Rodgers ended the game going 15–27 on passes with 191 yards. Hawkeye offense racked up 662 yards with 455 yards rushing. The defense was excellent as well. The Bearcats were allowed only 4 first downs and 69 yards rushing.
[17]
Iowa State
Iowa State at Iowa
Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Cyclones |
7 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
35 |
• Hawkeyes |
7 |
10 | 21 | 7 |
45 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | IOWA | Titley 7-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 7–0 |
| 1 | | ISU | Utter 1-yard run (Shudak kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 28-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 14–7 |
| 2 | | ISU | Glotfelty 7-yard pass from Utter (Shudak kick) | Tied 14–14 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Skillett 25-yard field goal | IOWA 17–14 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Matt Rodgers 5-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 24–14 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Stewart 18-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 31–14 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Montgomery 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 38–14 |
| 3 | | ISU | Glotfelty 39-yard pass from Utter (Shudak kick) | IOWA 38–21 |
| 4 | | ISU | Williams 1-yard run (Shudak kick) | IOWA 38–28 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Montgomery 15-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 45–28 |
| 4 | | ISU | Pederson 66-yard fumble return (Shudak kick) | IOWA 45-35 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
25–12 |
1989 |
W 31–21 |
The Hawkeyes won a high-scoring affair with in-state rival Iowa State, their eighth in a series of fifteen straight wins in the rivalry.
[18]
Miami (FL)
Iowa at #10 Miami
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Hawkeyes |
0 |
14 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
• Hurricanes |
14 |
10 | 7 | 17 |
48 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | 4:14 | UM | McGuire 1-yard run (Huerta kick) | Miami 7–0 |
| 1 | | UM | Wesley Carroll 73-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Huerta kick) | Miami 14–0 |
| 2 | 13:42 | IOWA | Nick Bell 3-yard run (Skillett kick) | Miami 14–7 |
| 2 | | UM | Darryl Spencer 40-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Huerta kick) | Miami 21–7 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 53-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Skillett kick) | Miami 21–14 |
| 2 | | UM | Huerta field goal | Miami 24–14 |
| 3 | 8:29 | IOWA | Sean Smith 35-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Skillett kick) | Miami 24–21 |
| 3 | | UM | McGuire 6-yard run (Huerta kick) | Miami 31–21 |
| 4 | 14:04 | UM | Wesley Carroll 16-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Huerta kick) | Miami 38–21 |
| 4 | | UM | Huerta 36-yard field goal | Miami 41–21 |
| 4 | | UM | Ryan McNeil 75-yard fumble return (Huerta kick) | Miami 48–21 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
0–2 |
1966 |
L 0–44 |
After pulling to within 24-21 midway through the third quarter, Iowa fell to the mighty Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl, 48-21. Even in showing some competitiveness at the game in Miami, FL, few Hawk fans could have guessed what was going to follow, especially following the 5–6 debacle of the previous season, which represented the first season Iowa had not gone to a bowl since 1980.
[19]
Michigan State
Iowa at #18 Michigan State
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Hawkeyes |
0 |
9 | 0 | 3 |
12 |
Spartans |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 2 | | IOWA | Skillett 31-yard field goal | IOWA 3–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 5-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (kick failed) | IOWA 9–0 |
| 4 | | MSU | Hickson 6-yard run (Langeloh kick) | IOWA 9–7 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Skillett 34-yard field goal | IOWA 12–7 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
12–13–2 |
1989 |
L 14–17 |
In opening Big Ten play, Iowa started what ended up being their third Rose Bowl run in ten seasons. What set this conference season apart from others was that the Hawkeyes played most of their best football on the road. In weeks 1, 3, and 5, Iowa upset what ended up being the other three teams that tied for the Big 10 championship that season, all at their home venue. First was a wind-blown, defensive struggle at East Lansing, with Iowa holding onto a 12–7 victory. Hayden Fry admitted after the game that every pass he had Matt Rodgers throw was with the wind, which was blowing at a diagonal across Spartan Stadium.
[20]
Wisconsin
Wisconsin at #25 Iowa
Rivalry Game
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Badgers |
0 |
10 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
• Hawkeyes |
3 |
9 | 0 | 18 |
30 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | IOWA | Skillett 45-yard field goal | IOWA 3–0 |
| 2 | | WIS | Thompson 37-yard field goal | Tied 3-3 |
| 2 | | WIS | Williams 20-yard run (Thompson kick) | WIS 10–3 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Stewart 33-yard run (Skillett kick) | Tied 10–10 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Safety, Polly tackled Mahone in end zone | IOWA 12–10 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 3-yard run (Rodgers run) | IOWA 20–10 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Skillett 35-yard field goal | IOWA 23–10 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Olejniczak 34-yard interception return (Skillett kick) | IOWA 30-10 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
31–34–2 |
1989 |
W 31–24 |
After falling behind 10-3, the Hawkeyes scored the final 27 points of the game to earn a victory over the Badgers in the first meeting between Hayden Fry and former Iowa assistant Barry Alvarez.
[21]
Michigan
#23 Iowa at #10 Michigan
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Hawkeyes |
0 |
7 | 3 | 14 |
24 |
Wolverines |
7 |
7 | 6 | 3 |
23 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | 2:10 | MICH | Vaughn 2-yard run (Carlson kick) | Michigan 7–0 |
| 2 | 11:25 | IOWA | Hughes 4-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 7:34 | MICH | Jefferson 7-yard run (Carlson kick) | Michigan 14–7 |
| 3 | 8:18 | IOWA | Skillett 32-yard field goal | Michigan 14–10 |
| 3 | 4:35 | MICH | Ware 7-yard blocked punt return (run failed) | Michigan 20–10 |
| 4 | 12:16 | IOWA | Rodgers 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | Michigan 20–17 |
| 4 | 4:27 | MICH | Carlson 47-yard field goal | Michigan 23–17 |
| 4 | 1:09 | IOWA | Kujawa 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 24–23 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
7–30–4 |
1989 |
L 12–26 |
After a win over (what ended up being cellar-dweller) Wisconsin at home, Iowa traveled to the Big House in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines were still smarting after a tight, tough loss the previous week against Michigan State and it was Homecoming week. But Iowa kept it close throughout. Following a botched two-point conversion by the Wolverines after they had taken a 20–10 lead, the Hawkeyes went to work. Following one Hawkeye touchdown countered by a Michigan field goal, the Hawkeyes put together a drive for the ages, never facing a third-down. Tony Stewart grabbed the last of a series of key passes from Matt Rodgers with one hand, giving the Hawkeyes the ball at the Michigan 1-yard-line. Paul Kujawa ran it in from there, and with the extra point, the Hawks took the lead by the eventual final score of 24–23. A sack by Moses Santos and an interception by linebacker John Derby sealed the stunner. It was Michigan's first loss on Homecoming since the 1967 season.
[22]
Northwestern
Northwestern at #15 Iowa
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Wildcats |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
14 |
• Hawkeyes |
6 |
29 | 14 | 7 |
56 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 4-yard run (kick blocked) | IOWA 6–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Titley 3-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Kujawa pass from Rodgers) | IOWA 14–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 16-yard run (Skillett kick) | Tied 21–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Danan Hughes 11-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 28–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 26-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 35–0 |
| 3 | | NW | Zipfel 2-yard pass from Williams (Adler kick) | IOWA 35–7 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Lampkin 3-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 42–7 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Middleton 7-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 49–7 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Lampkin 5-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 56–7 |
| 4 | | NW | Krebs 3-yard run (Adler kick) | IOWA 56-14 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
36–14–3 |
1989 |
W 35–22 |
Nick Bell rushed 16 times for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tony Stewart added 122 yards on 15 carries as the Hawkeyes rushed for 371 yards.
[23]
Illinois
#13 Iowa at #5 Illinois
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Hawkeyes |
21 |
14 | 9 | 10 |
54 |
Fighting Illini |
0 |
14 | 0 | 14 |
28 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | 13:11 | IOWA | Mike Saunders 5-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 7–0 |
| 1 | 4:20 | IOWA | Danan Hughes 3-yard pass from Tony Stewart (Skillett kick) | IOWA 14–0 |
| 1 | 2:01 | IOWA | Nick Bell 25-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 21–0 |
| 2 | 10:09 | IOWA | Nick Bell 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 28–0 |
| 2 | 6:10 | Illinois | Wax 20-yard pass from Verduzco (Higgins kick) | IOWA 28–7 |
| 2 | 3:37 | IOWA | Matt Whitaker 14-yard pass from Jim Hartlieb (Skillett kick) | IOWA 35–7 |
| 2 | 1:43 | Illinois | Lester 2-yard pass from Verduzco (Higgins kick) | IOWA 35–14 |
| 3 | 9:12 | IOWA | Danan Hughes 17-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (kick failed) | IOWA 41–14 |
| 3 | 5:20 | IOWA | Skillet 29-yard field goal | IOWA 44–14 |
| 4 | 13:08 | Illinois | Wax 9-yard pass from Verduzco (Higgins kick) | IOWA 44–21 |
| 4 | 10:44 | IOWA | Matt Rodgers 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 51–21 |
| 4 | 9:50 | Illinois | Wax 5-yard pass from Verduzco (Higgins kick) | IOWA 51–28 |
| 4 | 3:39 | IOWA | Skillett 22-yard field goal | IOWA 54–28 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
18–32–2 |
1989 |
L 7–31 |
The Hawks key road triumphs weren't finished as they traveled to Champaign, Illinois. Against an Illinois team that had the inside track to the Rose Bowl, Iowa put together one of their best offensive games in the Fry era, especially for a key road game. The Hawkeyes used an early fumble by the Illini to begin an exhibition by RB Nick Bell, the likes of which had rarely been seen in the Big 10 between two undefeated teams (in conference play). Bell literally ran over the Illini, scampering for 130 yards in the 1st quarter alone. The Hawks led by an amazing 28–0 early in the second quarter, and they stretched it to 44–14 by the end of the 3rd quarter, before settling for a 54–28 final. It was most likely from the efforts of that game that Nick Bell was named by the media as the Big 10 player of the year.
[24]
Ohio State
Ohio State at #6 Iowa
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Buckeyes |
0 |
14 | 0 | 13 |
27 |
Hawkeyes |
7 |
10 | 3 | 6 |
26 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | 11:12 | IOWA | Rodgers 3-yard run (Skillett kick) | Iowa 7–0 |
| 2 | 14:58 | OSU | Frey 1-yard run (Williams kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 9:04 | IOWA | Skillett 34-yard field goal | Iowa 10–7 |
| 2 | 2:17 | IOWA | Montgomery 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | Iowa 17–7 |
| 2 | 0:00 | OSU | J. Graham 48-yard pass from Frey (Williams kick) | Iowa 17–14 |
| 3 | 0:23 | IOWA | Skillett 37-yard field goal | Iowa 20–14 |
| 4 | 11:00 | IOWA | Montgomery 1-yard run (run failed) | Iowa 26–14 |
| 4 | 6:34 | OSU | Olive 21-yard pass from Frey (Williams kick) | Iowa 26–21 |
| 4 | 0:01 | OSU | Olive 3-yard pass from Frey (run failed) | Ohio St 27–26 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
12–32–3 |
1989 |
L 0–28 |
The Hawkeye bubble burst in Iowa City with a last-second loss to Ohio State. Buckeye WR Bobby Olive caught the game winning TD, his second scoring reception of the 4th quarter, from QB Greg Frey with 0:01 left on the clock. Ohio State also scored a 48-yard touchdown as the first half expired.
[25]
Game Statistics |
OHIO ST |
IOWA |
First Downs |
13 |
19 |
Rushes-Yards |
29-55 |
53-199 |
Passing Yards |
223 |
172 |
Total Yards |
278 |
371 |
Penalties |
11-93 |
7-55 |
Turnovers |
1 |
2 |
Time of Possession |
25:28 |
34:32 |
Purdue
Purdue at #13 Iowa
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Boilermakers |
0 |
3 | 0 | 6 |
9 |
• Hawkeyes |
7 |
7 | 10 | 14 |
38 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | IOWA | Steward 7-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 7–0 |
| 2 | | PUR | Wambold 39-yard field goal | IOWA 7–3 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Hughes 14-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 14–3 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Steward 30-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 21–3 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Skillett 21-yard field goal | IOWA 24–3 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Smith 5-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | IOWA 31–3 |
| 4 | | PUR | Hunter 7-yard run (kick failed) | IOWA 31–9 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Lampkin 15-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 38–9 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
24–40–2 |
1989 |
W 24–0 |
The Hawkeyes, entering as 26-point favorites, bounced back with what proved to be a Big 10-clinching win at home against Purdue.
[26]
Minnesota
#13 Iowa at Minnesota
Battle for Floyd of Rosedale
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Hawkeyes |
0 |
10 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
• Golden Gophers |
7 |
14 | 3 | 7 |
31 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | MINN | Smith 3-yard run (Berglund kick) | MINN 7–0 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Skillett 32-yard field goal | MINN 7-3 |
| 2 | | IOWA | Montgomery 1-yard run (Skillett kick) | IOWA 10–7 |
| 2 | | MINN | Smith 1-yard run (Berglund kick) | MINN 14–10 |
| 2 | | MINN | Joiner recovered blocked punt in end zone (Berglund kick) | MINN 21–10 |
| 3 | | MINN | Berglund 33-yard field goal | MINN 24–10 |
| 3 | | IOWA | Titley 4-yard pass from Rodgers (Skillett kick) | MINN 24–17 |
| 4 | | MINN | Joiner 28-yard pass from Fleetwood (Berglund kick) | MINN 31–17 |
| 4 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 39-yard run (Skillett kick) | MINN 31-24 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
28–53–2 |
1989 |
L 7–43 |
Knowing that they were Rose Bowl-bound before they even took the field, the Hawkeyes dropped their final road game at Minnesota, 31–24. In that game, Tony Stewart became the Hawkeyes all-time leading rusher (at least at that time), though he lost a key fumble on that play.
[27]
Rose Bowl
#17 Iowa vs. #8 Washington
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
Hawkeyes |
0 |
7 | 7 | 20 |
34 |
• Huskies |
10 |
23 | 6 | 7 |
46 |
|
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
2–2 |
1982 |
L 0–28 |
The Rose Bowl placed an over-matched Iowa against one of the best teams in the country that season, the Washington Huskies, led by head coach Don James. The Hawkeyes trailed badly at the half and trailed 39–14 after three quarters. With Washington reserves taking over in the fourth quarter, Iowa scored two touchdowns to draw within thirteen. With another Washington touchdown the margin was back to twenty, and Iowa's late last score and conversion brought them to within a dozen where the game ended, 46–34. It was Hayden Fry's last trip to Pasadena, and he ended up 0–3 in those games.[28]