If you woke up today, January 18, 2026, and immediately checked your phone for the Iowa football score for today, you might have been a bit confused by what you saw. Here is the blunt reality: there wasn't a football game.
The pads are in storage. Kinnick Stadium is quiet. Honestly, unless you're looking for a replay of the ReliaQuest Bowl, the scoreboard for the Hawkeye football team is sitting at zeroes across the board today.
But that doesn't mean the Hawkeye faithful aren't talking. Far from it. While the football team is deep in the "offseason" (if such a thing even exists anymore in the era of the transfer portal), the Iowa sports scene is absolutely electric right now.
The Confusion: Why Everyone Is Searching for the Iowa Score
The primary reason you’re likely seeing "Iowa" and "Winner" in the same headline today has nothing to do with touchdowns and everything to do with a massive win on the hardwood. Just hours ago, the No. 11 Iowa women’s basketball team took down No. 15 Michigan State in a 75-68 thriller.
Hannah Stuelke was a force of nature. 22 points. 9 rebounds. She basically willed that win into existence in the final minutes.
It’s easy to see why the wires get crossed. When the Hawkeyes are winning, fans search. But for those strictly here for the gridiron updates, let’s look at where things actually stand.
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Where Did the Football Season End?
To understand why there’s no Iowa football score for today, we have to look back a few weeks. The 2025-26 season wrapped up on New Year’s Eve. It was a weird year, wasn't it?
Iowa finished the regular season with a 9-4 record. Solid? Yes. National Championship contender? Not quite. They ended up in Tampa for the ReliaQuest Bowl against a very scrappy Vanderbilt team.
- Final Score: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27.
- The Vibe: It was one of those classic Kirk Ferentz "bend but don't break" performances.
- Key Takeaway: Unlike half the teams in the country, Iowa had zero opt-outs. That says a lot about the locker room culture.
Basically, the Hawkeyes ended their season on a high note, but the lights went out on the 2025 campaign the moment that clock hit zero in Florida.
The "Score" That Matters: The Transfer Portal
If we’re being technical, the "score" today is being kept in the transfer portal. This is where the 2026 season is being won or lost. Coach Ferentz and his staff have been uncharacteristically aggressive lately.
Just two days ago, on January 16, the winter transfer window officially slammed shut. If you're a fan, you should be feeling pretty good about the "score" here.
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The New Faces
- Lance Ingold (EDGE): Coming over from Northern Illinois. He’s 6’5” and looks exactly like the kind of defensive end Iowa turns into an NFL starter.
- L.J. Phillips Jr. (RB): This was a huge get. He was a monster in the FCS last year, nearly hitting 2,000 yards. With the RB room looking a bit thin after some portal departures, Phillips is a massive addition.
- Xavier Styles (DB): A safety from Robert Morris. He had a PFF coverage grade that would make Phil Parker smile.
Losing Koen Entringer to the portal hurt—let's be real—but the staff seems to have plugged the holes.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since there isn't an Iowa football score for today, the next best thing is looking at when we get the next one. The 2026 schedule is already starting to take shape, and it looks like a grind.
The Hawkeyes will kick things off on September 5, 2026, against Northern Illinois. Then, of course, the Cy-Hawk trophy will be on the line the following week when Iowa State comes to Iowa City.
Between now and then, it’s all about winter conditioning and spring ball.
The Specialist Shakeup
One detail that actually is news today involves the special teams. Earlier this week, Chris Polizzi was named the new special teams coordinator. Today, we’re seeing the roster start to reflect his vision.
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The Hawkeyes just added Tanner Philpott, a transfer punter from Simpson College. He averaged nearly 44 yards per kick last year. In Iowa City, that’s basically like signing a five-star quarterback. We love our punters.
They also picked up a commitment from Matty McLaughlin, a long snapper out of St. Louis. It sounds boring until you realize he snaps at 0.7 seconds. That’s elite.
Actionable Insights for Hawkeye Fans
Since there's no live game to watch, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Watch the 2026 Recruiting Class: Keep an eye on local prospects. The coaching staff is making a huge push for "Midwest-first" athletes to rebuild the offensive line depth.
- Spring Game Prep: Mark your calendars for April. That’s the first time you’ll see L.J. Phillips Jr. in a Hawkeye jersey.
- Basketball Pivot: If you need a Hawkeye fix today, go watch the highlights of the women’s win over Michigan State. It’ll make the football offseason feel a lot shorter.
The Iowa football score for today is effectively a placeholder. The team is 1-0 in their bowl game, 1-0 in the "punter recruitment" phase, and currently 0-0 for the upcoming season.
Check back in September for the real thing. For now, enjoy the basketball season and the chaos of the portal.