It is just about that time folks! We are reaching the portion of the summer where the 2022 college football season officially gains the moniker of “last year” and all eyes are squarely focused on the upcoming 2023 season.
Last season was rough for the Hawkeyes and the misery started from the get-go. Expectations were pretty dang high around the team. They made it to the Big Ten Championship in 2021 after only a two-loss regular season. We won’t talk about the postseason after that.
There was a ton of buzz throughout the offseason about how much better the offense looked and how quarterback Spencer Petras had taken big strides during the summer. The offensive line was said to be much-improved as well.
With what we all thought was the worst the offense could do the season prior still yielding a massively successful season, hope was insanely high heading into the week one contest against FCS powerhouse South Dakota State. Panic soon swept over Kinnick Stadium as the Hawkeyes remained deadlocked with the Jackrabbits at 3-3 entering the half.
It was an abysmal half of football where the offense truly was offensive. And it didn’t get much better either. Iowa’s 7-3 victory over South Dakota State featured zero touchdowns and a pair of safeties. It was a great representation for the 2023 season.
Despite the eight notches in the win column, it truly was a difficult season to get through as Iowa scored 10 points or less in FOUR contests!
Gone are the disappointing 8-5 Iowa Hawkeyes of last year. Please welcome in an exciting new-look 2023 squad! Led by new starting quarterback Cade McNamara—you may remember him from Michigan‘s 42-3 beatdown of Iowa in the 2021 Big Ten Championship game—Iowa once again promises fans an improved product on offense.
There are some actual players to build that excitement, too, including budding star running back Kaleb Johnson and potentially the next big-time duo at “Tight End U” in Luke Lachey and Erick All.
With the defense sturdy as ever under Phil Parker with a bevy of returning impact defenders, the potential for offensive improvement makes 2023 such an exciting year for Hawkeye Nation.
Their first test comes early in Mountain West Conference foe Utah State in the season and home opener on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. from Kinnick Stadium. Here is everything you need to know about the Aggies!