1999 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 4 Wisconsin $ 7–1  10–2 
No. 7 Michigan State 6–2  10–2 
No. 5 Michigan % 6–2  10–2 
No. 11 Penn State 5–3  10–3 
No. 18 Minnesota 5–3  8–4 
No. 24 Illinois 4–4  8–4 
No. 25 Purdue 4–4  7–5 
Ohio State 3–5  6–6 
Indiana 3–5  4–7 
Northwestern 1–7  3–8 
Iowa 0–8  1–10 
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1999 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first year under head coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes compiled a 1–10 record (0–8 in conference games), finished in last place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 347 to 162.[1] Ferentz was hired in December 1998 to replace Hayden Fry, who retired after two decades as head coach.[2]

The team's statistical leaders included Scott Mullen (1,415 passing yards), Ladell Betts (857 rushing yards), and Kevin Kasper (60 receptions for 664 yards).[3] Betts was selected as the team's most valuable player.

The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 411:00 amNo. 5 Nebraska*
ABCL 7–4270,397
September 116:00 pmat Iowa State*
FSNL 10–1750,402
September 185:15 pmNorthern Illinois*
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
ESPN PlusW 24–063,478
October 211:00 amat No. 14 Michigan State
ESPN PlusL 3–4973,629[4]
October 911:00 amNo. 2 Penn State
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
ESPN PlusL 7–3166,398
October 1611:00 amat Northwestern
ESPN PlusL 21–2333,962
October 231:00 pmIndianadagger
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
L 31–3863,777
October 3011:00 amat No. 21 Ohio State
ESPN PlusL 11–4193,561
November 61:00 pmIllinois
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
L 24–4061,350
November 132:30 pmat No. 9 Wisconsin
ABCL 3–4179,404[5]
November 2011:00 amNo. 17 Minnesota
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA (rivalry)
ESPN PlusL 21–2555,386
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Game summaries

Nebraska

Nebraska at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
• No. 5 Cornhuskers 0 71421 42
Hawkeyes 0 007 7
Scoring summary
27:54NebEric Crouch 28-yard run (Josh Brown kick)Neb 7–0
311:14NebApplegate 47-yard pass from Bobby Newcombe (Brown kick)Neb 14–0
38:46NebNewcombe 1-yard run (Brown kick)Neb 21–0
414:56NebNewcombe 5-yard run (Brown kick)Neb 28–0
49:43NebCrouch 6-yard run (Brown kick)Neb 35–0
45:14NebCrouch 21-yard run (Brown kick)Neb 42–0
42:30IowaTim Dodge 10-yard blocked punt return (Douglas kick)Neb 42–7

[6] [7]

At Iowa State

Iowa at Iowa State
Team 1 234Total
Hawkeyes 0 073 10
• Cyclones 14 003 17
Scoring summary
110:36ISUDarren Davis 11-yard run (McKnight kick)ISU 7–0
13:33ISUDamien Groce 80-yard pass from Sage Rosenfels (McKnight kick)ISU 14–0
39:07IowaRobbie Crockett 1-yard run (Douglas kick)ISU 14–7
412:32ISUMike McKnight 39-yard field goalISU 17–7
46:36IowaTim Douglas 47-yard field goalISU 17–7

[8]

Northern Illinois

No. Illinois at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Huskies 0 000 0
• Hawkeyes 0 3021 24
Scoring summary
22:30IowaTim Douglas 46-yard field goalIowa 3–0
413:10IowaRandy Reiners 2-yard run (Douglas kick)Iowa 10–0
49:59IowaLeVar Woods 87-yard blocked field goal return (Douglas kick)Iowa 17–0
47:03IowaLadell Betts 10-yard run (Douglas kick)Iowa 24–0

The win over the Huskies marked Kirk Ferentz's first victory as head coach at Iowa.[9]

At Michigan State

Iowa at Michigan State
Team 1 234Total
Hawkeyes 0 030 3
• No. 14 Spartans 21 14140 49
Scoring summary
112:01MSUPlaxico Burress 32-yard pass from Burke (Edinger kick)MSU 7–0
16:42MSUBurress 10-yard pass from Burke (Edinger kick)MSU 14–0
13:31MSUScott 20-yard pass from Burke (Edinger kick)MSU 21–0
211:11MSUBaker 2-yard pass from Burke (Edinger kick)MSU 28–0
26:17MSUBurress 10-yard pass from Van Dyke (Edinger kick)MSU 35–0
313:10IowaTim Douglas 30-yard field goalMSU 35–3
310:07MSUHaygood 35-yard pass from Van Dyke (Edinger kick)MSU 42–3
38:15MSUHenry 70-yard punt return (Edinger kick)MSU 49–3

[10]

Penn State

Penn State at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
• No. 2 Nittany Lions 7 7710 31
Hawkeyes 0 070 7
Scoring summary
17:19PSUDrummond 68-yard run (Forney kick)PSU 7–0
20:09PSUCasey 6-yard run (Forney kick)PSU 14–0
39:31IowaRob Thein 40-yard pass from Randy Reiners (Douglas kick)PSU 14–7
34:36PSUMcCoo 47-yard run (Forney kick)PSU 21–7
410:05PSUHarris 10-yard run (Forney kick)PSU 28–7
44:23PSUForney 26-yard field goalPSU 31–7

[11]

At Northwestern

Iowa at Northwestern
Team 1 234Total
Hawkeyes 0 0147 21
• Wildcats 3 1307 23
Scoring summary
18:57NWTim Long 25-yard field goalNW 3–0
214:52NWTim Long 25 yard-field goalNW 6–0
29:14NWTim Long 28 yard-field goalNW 9–0
21:57NWTeddy Johnson 21-yard pass from Zak Kustok (Long kick)NW 16–0
312:13IowaRandy Reiners 3-yard run (Douglas kick)NW 16–7
33:18IowaScott Mullen 2-yard run (Douglas kick)NW 16–14
411:13IowaLadell Betts 74-yard run (Douglas kick)Iowa 21–16
40:04NWZak Kustok 2 yard run (Long kick)NW 23–21

[12] [13]

Indiana

Indiana at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
• Hoosiers 7 17140 38
Hawkeyes 0 14710 31

[14]

At Ohio State

Iowa at Ohio State
Team 1 234Total
Hawkeyes 8 030 11
• No. 21 Buckeyes 7 14146 41

[15]

Illinois

Illinois at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
• Fighting Illini 6 101014 40
Hawkeyes 3 777 24

[16]

At Wisconsin

Iowa at Wisconsin
Team 1 234Total
Hawkeyes 0 300 3
• No. 9 Badgers 13 1477 41

[17]

Minnesota

Minnesota at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
• No. 18 Golden Gophers 7 3510 25
Hawkeyes 0 2100 21

[18]

Roster

1999 Iowa Hawkeyes football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 4 Kyle McCann So
QB 18 Scott Mullen Jr
QB 13 Randy Reiners Sr
RB 46 Ladell Betts So
RB 15 Robbie Crockett So
RB 31 Rob Thein Sr
WR 88 Ryan Barton Jr
WR 3 Kahlil Hill So
WR 87 Kevin Kasper Jr
WR 6 Chris Oliver So
WR 5 Bashir Yamini Sr
TE 80 Zeron Flemister Sr
TE 35 Erik Jensen Fr
TE 83 Kyle Trippeer Jr
TE 86 Austin Wheatley Sr
OL 52 A.J. Blazek Jr
OL   Jay Bickford Sr
OL 74 Alonzo Cunningham So
OL 67 Chad Deal Sr
OL 78 Robert Gallery Fr
OL 72 Bruce Nelson  Fr
OL 56 Eric Steinbach Fr
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DL 91 Jerry Montgomery So
LB 44 Dallas Clark Fr
LB 54 Aaron Kampman So
LB 56 Vernon Rollins Sr
LB 97 LeVar Woods Jr
DB 9 Matt Bowen Sr
DB 8 Mikkel Brown
DB 2 Tarig Holman Sr
DB 21 Matt Stockdale So
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 17 Tim Douglas Sr
P 7 Jason Baker Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Statistics

Team statistics. On offense, the Hawkeyes gained an average of 206.8 passing yards and 93.5 rushing yards per game.[1] They ranked 10th of 11 teams in scoring offense with an average of 14.7 points per game.[19] On defense, they gave up an average of 218.1 passing yards and 245.3 rushing yards per game.[3] They ranked 10th out of 11 teams in scoring defense, giving up an average of 31.5 points per game.[19]

Passing. Quarterback Scott Mullen completed 126 of 226 passes (55.8%) for 1,415 yards, five touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 109.5 passer rating.[3]

Rushing. Running back Ladell Betts led the team with 857 rushing yards on 189 yards.[3]

Receiving. Wide receiver Kevin Kasper led the team with 60 receptions for 664 yards.[3]

Scoring. Kicker Tim Douglas led the team in scoring with 37 points, converting 19 of 19 extra points and six of eleven field goals. Ladell Betts ranked second with 36 points on six touchdowns.[3]

Awards and honors

Sophomore running back Ladell Betts and senior safety Matt Bowen were selected as the team's most valuable players.[20]

Betts received second-team honors from the coaches on the 1999 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Bowen received second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media.[21]

2000 NFL draft

Player Position Round Pick NFL club Ref
Austin WheatleyTight end5158New Orleans Saints[22]
Matt BowenDefensive back6198St. Louis Rams[22]

References

  1. 1 2 "1999 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Ferentz to follow Fry" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. December 3, 1998. p. 1A. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1999 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  4. ↑ Larry Lage (October 3, 1999). "Perfect Showdown: MSU moves to 5-0 in dominant fashion". Lansing State Journal. pp. 1D, 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Wisconsin 41, Iowa 3: Champions again; It's back-to-back Big Ten titles and another trip to the Rose Bowl". Wisconsin State Journal. November 14, 1999. pp. 1D, 5D – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Nebraska 42, Iowa 7". UPI. September 4, 1999. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Hawks out of Huskers' league" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. September 7, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  8. ↑ "State of Embarrassment" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. September 13, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Runaway Betts" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. September 20, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Can it get worse?" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. October 4, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Hawkeye heartbeat" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. October 11, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Iowa vs. Northwestern". USA Today. October 16, 1999. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Wildcats deliver late blow" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. October 18, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Once again, so very close" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. October 25, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Hawks still slipping" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. November 1, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Familiar fate for Hawks" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. November 8, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Dayne plows Iowa, earns honor" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. November 15, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Iowa lead fizzles, Gophers escape" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. November 22, 1999. p. 1B. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  19. 1 2 "1999 Big Ten Conference Year Summary". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Hawks cap season with eye on future: Betts, Bowen named MVPs". Iowa City Press-Citizen. December 12, 1999. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Renes, Hutchinson Earn All-Big Ten First Team "Double"". University of Michigan. November 30, 1999. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  22. 1 2 "2000 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Iowa_Hawkeyes_football_team