Aug. 18, 2004
Learn more about Herky on Parade
Learn more about the Throwback Game
ESPN analysts have ranked the Iowa Hawkeyes No. 14 in their Power 16 college football rankings. The latest laurel caps off a preseason where the Hawkeyes have seen Top 25 rankings in all the major polls. Iowa is ranked 12th by ESPN/USA Today and 19th by the Associated Press.
Praising underrated cornerbacks Antwan Allen and Jovon Johnson — who combined for eight interceptions last season — and the much-heralded defensive end Matt Roth, the analysts picked Iowa among 107 college football teams.
Sportswriter Liam McHugh wrote: “Today (Head Coach Kirk) Ferentz, an undersized LB at UConn from 1974 to ’76 has built a monster program (28-10 since 2001) on so many little backs.”
The Hawkeyes join Michigan (8th) and Ohio State (9th) on the poll.
Iowa kicks off its 2004 campaign with the nearly sold-out Throwback Game against Kent State at 11 a.m. on Sept. 4. But before then, catch the Hawkeyes for free on Saturday for an 11 a.m. open scrimmage at historic Kinnick Stadium.