After losing for the second consecutive season to rival Iowa State, it felt like the sky was falling in Iowa City.
Many questioned whether Head Coach Kirk Ferentz was still the right man for the job as Iowa began the season with an early loss.
Even though the loss to Iowa State was a non-conference game against a ranked team, fans were furious with Ferentz, and some even called for his firing (we also stoked those flames).
Fans might have acted like the sky was falling, but in traditional Kirk Ferentz fashion, he remained a calming, steady presence on the Iowa sidelines.
The Hawkeyes would bounce back in week three against UMass, giving Ferentz career win No. 206 in his Hall of Fame career.
Iowa would go on to lose three more games to ranked opponents, including No. 11 Indiana, No. 6 Oregon, and No. 17 USC by a combined 15 points.
Despite all the close losses and another year without an appearance in the College Football Playoff, Ferentz called this group of guys one of his favorites.
Kirk Ferentz said that this year’s team is one of his favorite teams that he has ever worked with at any level.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) December 31, 2025
After the win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, Ferentz said this year's team is one of his favorite teams that he has ever worked with.
The program never lost faith in Ferentz or in each other throughout the season, and that was evident in how hard they played on the field, even in the four losses.
Senior Logan Jones echoed Ferentz's statement earlier this season when he also said this year is one of the most fun he's had in his career.
Ferentz has over 30 combined years of coaching experience in college and the NFL, but this year's team will always hold a special place in his heart.