Which football team is renowned in Iowa?

Travel Destinations

By Kristy Tolley

Iowa and Football

Iowa is a state known for its passion for football. From high school teams to college programs, football is deeply ingrained in Iowa’s culture. The state is home to several football teams that have gained recognition for their achievements on and off the field. In this article, we will explore the most renowned football teams in Iowa.

The University of Iowa Hawkeyes is arguably the most popular football team in Iowa. The Hawkeyes play in the Big Ten Conference and have a storied history that dates back to the late 1800s. The team has won several conference championships, including the Big Ten title in 2021. The Hawkeyes have also appeared in multiple bowl games and have produced several NFL players, including Dallas Clark, Chad Greenway, and George Kittle. The team’s home stadium, Kinnick Stadium, is named after Nile Kinnick, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1939.

Iowa State Cyclones: The Rivalry with the Hawkeyes

The Iowa State Cyclones are the main rivals of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. The Cyclones play in the Big 12 Conference and have had success in recent years, including winning the conference championship in 2021. The team has produced several NFL players, including Sage Rosenfels, Seneca Wallace, and David Montgomery. The annual matchup between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones is known as the Cy-Hawk game and is one of the most highly anticipated games in the state.

Northern Iowa Panthers: The Small School that Produces Big Talent

The University of Northern Iowa Panthers may not have the same level of recognition as the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, but they have had success on the football field. The Panthers play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which is considered one of the toughest FCS conferences in the nation. The team has produced several NFL players, including Kurt Warner, who went on to win two NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl. The Panthers have also made multiple appearances in the FCS playoffs.

Drake Bulldogs: The FCS Program with a Rich History

The Drake Bulldogs are another FCS program in Iowa that has a rich football history. The team has produced several NFL players, including Fred Williams, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants. The Bulldogs have also won multiple conference championships and have made appearances in the FCS playoffs.

Upper Iowa Peacocks: The NCAA DII Hidden Gem of Iowa

The Upper Iowa Peacocks are a hidden gem in the NCAA Division II football landscape. The team has had success in recent years, including winning the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship in 2011. The Peacocks have produced several NFL players, including Maurice Washington, who played for the San Francisco 49ers.

Simpson Storm: The DIII Program with a Winning Culture

The Simpson Storm football program is known for its winning culture. The team has won multiple conference championships and has produced several NFL players, including Brad Meester, who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Storm play in the American Rivers Conference and have a strong rivalry with the Central Dutch.

Central Dutch: The Division III Powerhouse of Iowa

The Central Dutch are a Division III powerhouse in Iowa. The team has won multiple conference championships and has made appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Dutch have produced several NFL players, including Jack Whitver, who played for the Miami Dolphins. The team’s home stadium, Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium, is named after the legendary coach Ron Schipper.

Morningside Mustangs: The NAIA Dynasty of Iowa

The Morningside Mustangs are a dynasty in NAIA football. The team has won multiple national championships and has produced several NFL players, including Brandon Scherff, who plays for the Washington Football Team. The Mustangs play in the Great Plains Athletic Conference and have a strong rivalry with the Briar Cliff Chargers.

Iowa Barnstormers: A Legacy of Indoor Football

The Iowa Barnstormers are a legacy in indoor football. The team has won multiple championships in various indoor football leagues, including the Indoor Football League and the Arena Football League. The Barnstormers have produced several NFL players, including Kurt Warner, who played for the team before his NFL career.

Cedar Rapids Titans: The New Kids on the Block

The Cedar Rapids Titans are a relatively new team in the indoor football landscape. The team plays in the Champions Indoor Football league and has had moderate success, including making the playoffs in 2019. The Titans have produced several players who have gone on to play in the Arena Football League.

Des Moines Menace: The Premier Soccer Team of Iowa

While not a football team in the traditional sense, the Des Moines Menace are the premier soccer team in Iowa. The Menace play in the USL League Two and have had success in recent years, including winning the Heartland Division in 2017. The team plays its home games at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines and has a dedicated fan base.

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Kristy Tolley

Kristy Tolley, an accomplished editor at TravelAsker, boasts a rich background in travel content creation. Before TravelAsker, she led editorial efforts at Red Ventures Puerto Rico, shaping content for Platea English. Kristy's extensive two-decade career spans writing and editing travel topics, from destinations to road trips. Her passion for travel and storytelling inspire readers to embark on their own journeys.

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