2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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The 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2002 NCAA season. They played home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City and were led by head coach Kirk Ferentz in his fourth year. The offense ran a pro-style scheme under offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe, and the defense operated a 4–3 base under Norm Parker.

Season overview
- Record: 11–2 overall, 8–0 in the Big Ten Conference. They were co-Big Ten champions.
- Bowl: Orange Bowl, where they lost to USC 38–17.
- The Hawkeyes’ only regular-season loss was to in-state rival Iowa State. Coming off a 7–5 season, Iowa’s 11-win year set a school record for most wins in a season (matched in 2009, surpassed in 2015).

Key players and changes
- Offense: Quarterback Brad Banks, running backs Fred Russell and Jermelle Lewis, tight end Dallas Clark, and wide receiver C. J. Jones were major contributors. The team had to replace several starters from the previous year.
- 2002 personnel note: Cornerback Benny Sapp was arrested before the season and left the team, transferring later to Northern Iowa, which left Iowa thinner at cornerback.
- Defense: Notable players included Fred Barr, Bob Sanders, and Nate Kaeding handled kicking duties, with David Bradley as punter.

Season highlights
- The offense quickly clicked, with Banks showing poise and the running game producing big yardage. The team opened unranked and climbed up the rankings as the season progressed.
- Iowa had several standout moments on special teams and defense, including dramatic or momentum-shifting plays in multiple games.
- A memorable road win came against Penn State, giving Iowa a top-25 ranking after the victory. The Hawkeyes also delivered strong performances against Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, boosting national recognition.
- On Senior Day, Banks was efficient, and wide receivers and tight ends contributed as the offense continued to click. Fred Russell reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
- The defense produced key plays in several games, while the offense relied on a balanced attack with big plays from Banks to Clark and Jones, plus strong rushing from Russell and Lewis.

Notable game summaries
- Iowa State: A tough in-state rivalry game that stood as the one regular-season loss.
- Penn State: Iowa defeated a ranked opponent on the road, marking a significant achievement for the program.
- Michigan: Iowa handed Michigan a notable loss, with Banks throwing for multiple touchdowns and the defense contributing important stops.
- Minnesota: Iowa forced six turnovers in a 45–21 win that extended their Big Ten winning streak and solidified their 10th win of the season.
- Wisconsin: Iowa’s defense limited Wisconsin’s rushing attack, and the offense featured multiple scorers, including Banks, Brown, and Clark.
- Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan all contributed to Iowa’s climb into the AP Top 10 for the first time since 1991.

Final notes
- The 2002 season set a school record with 11 wins, a mark that stood as a high-water moment for the program until later seasons.
- The season ended with a loss to USC in the Orange Bowl, a strong showing against one of the nation’s top teams but not enough to cap the year with a win.
- Head coach Kirk Ferentz, his staff, and the 2002 team are remembered for turning around the program with a dominant Big Ten run and a record-setting regular season.