Jokes about the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense have been practically self-written for years. The unit became an easy joke in Iowa City and beyond, representing missed opportunities, stalled drives, and conservative play-calling. In all honesty, that criticism was justified for a considerable amount of time. These difficulties began in 2017 when Iowa made the disastrous choice to elevate longtime offensive line coach Brian Ferentz to the position of offensive coordinator. Ferentz was successful as a line coach, but the change had no effect on offensive output. Iowa consistently finished near the bottom of the Big Ten in almost every significant offensive category.
Ferentz’s last year was the lowest point. Iowa ranked 14th in the conference with an average of just 234.6 yards per game and a pitiful 3.94 yards per play. The scoring results were even more damning. For a Power Five program designed to contend for division titles, the Hawkeyes’ 15.1 points per game is nearly unbelievable. For supporters who were aware of Iowa’s potential for dominance on the other side of the ball, it was not only frustrating but also draining. It felt more like a necessary reset than a coaching change when the program eventually moved on after the 2023 season. Tim Lester comes in.
Lester found himself in a difficult circumstance. The roster he inherited still had flaws, especially at quarterback, and Iowa’s offense had established a reputation that would not go away overnight. However, there were indications that things were changing right away. The plan appeared more adaptable. Play designs seemed intentional. Most significantly, the offense started to take shape. Lester made rapid progress in his first season as offensive coordinator. Sustained momentum was challenging due to inconsistent quarterback play, but the groundwork was obviously being established. By the time he reaches his second year, the development has become noticeable.
Lester made rapid progress in his first season as offensive coordinator. Sustained momentum was challenging due to inconsistent quarterback play, but the groundwork was obviously being established. By the time he reaches his second year, the development has become noticeable. The figures reveal a tale that Hawkeye supporters haven’t been able to share in a long time. Iowa finished the season averaging 29.3 points per game following a 34-point effort against Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Given where the program has been, that ranking of No. 54 nationally is not exceptional, but it is a significant improvement.
To put that in perspective, Iowa scored 27.7 points per game last season, ranking No. 72. At first glance, the improvement might appear small, but context is important. Since 2020, when they finished No. 40 in the country with 31.8 points per game during the COVID-shortened season, this is the Hawkeyes’ highest scoring average. Iowa’s offensive output hasn’t been this high in years during a full, typical season.
The fact that this level of scoring has historically been uncommon under Brian Ferentz is even more telling. Only once during his tenure in 2018, when the offense averaged 31.2 points did Iowa surpass 30 points per game, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign. The Hawkeyes typically fell well short of that standard, placing an unmanageable burden on the defense.
And that’s where the conversation really shifts.
Iowa’s defense is still very good. With just 16.1 points allowed per game, the Hawkeyes had the ninth-best scoring defense in the country this season. That unit, which can win games on its own, is still the foundation of the program. However, the offense isn’t actively opposing it anymore. Iowa’s offense is helping the team win games rather than just trying to avoid losing them.
That does not imply that everything is flawless. In particular, there is still opportunity to improve the passing game. There are times when it seems difficult to find explosive plays in the air or when timing is off. Even so, Lester has demonstrated a crucial quality that was previously lacking: flexibility. He has adapted the offense to his personnel rather than imposing a strict system. Playmakers are being positioned for success. There is more variety in the run game. Situational play-calling is more deliberate than predictable. Even though these are minor details, they add up over the course of a season.
That advancement is significant to a fan base that has spent years witnessing the defense rule while the offense barely made it. It alters the feel of games. It no longer seems impossible to overcome a two-score deficit. In fact, a short field encourages confidence rather than fear. For anyone who has watched Iowa football closely, those emotional shifts are very real, even though they are difficult to measure.
It’s also important to note that this improvement has occurred over a sample size of only two years. Although the window isn’t very large, the trajectory is clear. Nobody is saying that the Hawkeyes are suddenly an offensive powerhouse. Finally, they are competent, which is significant in the context of Iowa football.
The offense has been an easy target for far too long. the automatic critique. The late-night social media joke. However, fairness becomes important at some point. Iowa’s offense is getting better under Tim Lester, scoring more points, and helping to support one of the top defenses in the country. Even though it hasn’t made national news yet, it still merits recognition. That’s what the Hawkeyes deserve. And perhaps, just possibly, it’s time to stop criticizing the Iowa offense and begin treating it with the respect that it is gradually regaining.
