Iowa came into the 2024 season with mixed expectations and a fair amount of uncertainty with a new-look Big Ten and new offensive coordinator. By most measures, the offense was drastically better, but the results did not back up those improvements.

After an 8-4 record complete with disappointing losses to Michigan State, Iowa State and UCLA, the Hawkeyes wound up in the Music City Bowl against Mizzou. It was a rematch of the 2020 Music City Bowl that was never played due to COVID-19, and it started with a bang.

Iowa jumped out to an early lead with 14 points in the 1st quarter, including a 100-yard return from Kaden Wetjen. The Hawkeyes capped the 1st half with a 90-yard drive punctuated by a touchdown run from Kamari Moulton.

Unfortunately, the 21-14 lead at halftime would be all the highlights for the Hawkeyes. Drew Stevens would tack on a 3rd-quarter field goal, but that would be it for the scoring.

Mizzou would score the final 13 points of the game while Iowa’s final 4 possessions went interception, punt, punt and turnover on downs. The final 3 drives went for a total of 24 yards without picking up a first down. A final 4th-and-1 carry by Brendan Sullivan was stuffed as Mizzou held on for the 27-24 win.

It should be noted that Iowa was playing without superstar running back Kaleb Johnson who is preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the ground game was not a problem for much of the afternoon.

The Hawkeyes were still effective with 166 rushing yards and 4.4 yards per carry mostly spread across the 2-headed attack of Moulton and Jaziun Patterson. Sullivan also completed 14-of-18 passes through the air but his interception did create an issue.

Defensively, Iowa’s main issue revolved around Mizzou QB Brady Cook. While the Hawkeyes shut down the rushing attack of the Tigers, Cook was a different story. He threw for 287 yards and rushed for another 54 while throwing 2 touchdowns without a turnover.

Deontae Craig was a beast up front for the Hawkeyes with 2 sacks and 4 TFLs, but that was about it for the defense. The unit logged just 2 other TFLs outside of Craig and only broke up 3 passes on the afternoon.

With the loss, Iowa finishes the year at 8-5 overall. For those who wish to look on the positive side, the Hawkeyes have won 8+ games in 9 straight full-length seasons and have better than a .600% winning percentage in 10 straight seasons, including the shortened COVID campaign.

However, the up-and-down nature of the past decade is still in full swing, and Kirk Ferentz has not produced a season above 10 wins since the 12-win campaign in 2015. It will be interesting to see if he can push the right buttons in the offseason to change that in 2025.