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Iowa Hawkeyes' elite defense starts season against Northern Illinois

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 3:05 AM

Last updated Aug 28, 2026

Iowa Hawkeyes' elite defense starts season against Northern Illinois

Summary

The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to launch their football season on September 5 against Northern Illinois, continuing their tradition of strong defensive performance under defensive coordinator Phil Parker. Despite losing key players to the NFL, including TJ Hall and Max Llewlyn, Iowa aims to maintain its standing in the top ten for scoring defense, a feat achieved for four consecutive seasons. Defensive line coach Kelvin Bell notes the program's ability to develop talent, with younger players stepping into larger roles, supported by experienced teammates like Kenneth Merrieweather and Deshaun Lee. The focus will be on toughness and accountability as the season unfolds.

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By the Numbers

•Iowa opens its season on September 5 against Northern Illinois
•Hawkeyes ranked in top ten for scoring defense four straight years
•Several starters lost to NFL, but depth remains strong
•Younger players must quickly adapt to new roles
•Phil Parker has developed 26 NFL draft picks in his 14 years

Latest Updates

3:05 AMYahoo Sports — The Standard: Hawkeye defense staying elite year after year despite NFL talent departure

What they're saying

"
Year in and year out the product remains the same for Phil Parker’s defense at Iowa. It’s become the standard for the Hawkeyes to be among the best in the nation on the defensive side of the ball. Somehow, someway, the question marks on the defense coming into the seasons typically end up being strengths. […]
— Yahoo Sports

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