IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa football team is ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press Preseason Poll released Sunday.
Iowa’s national ranking in the AP Poll marks the 23rd time in program history, and sixth time during the Kirk Ferentz era, that the Hawkeyes earned a preseason ranking in the AP Poll.
Iowa returns 39 lettermen on offense, defense, and special teams, which includes 14 starters (seven on offense and seven on defense), from last year’s team that posted a historic 12-2 record. Last season, the Hawkeyes won all four traveling trophy rivalry games, captured the Big Ten West Division title, and competed in the Big Ten Conference championship game and 2016 Rose Bowl.
Iowa is one of four Big Ten universities ranked in the preseason poll, joining Ohio State (6), Michigan (7), and Michigan State (12).
The Hawkeyes are also ranked No. 15 in the Amway Coaches Poll, which was released earlier this month. Iowa’s preseason national rankings of No. 15/17 are its highest since 2010, when Iowa was ranked No. 9 by the AP and 10th by the coaches.
Iowa opens the 2016 season on Sept. 3, against Miami, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (CT) at Kinnick Stadium. Tickets remain for five of UI’s home football games (Miami, North Dakota State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Nebraska) at the UI Athletic Ticket Office located in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The University of Iowa Athletics Department announced Friday that home football games versus Iowa State (Sept. 10) and Michigan (Nov. 12) have reached sellout status. In addition, the UI has sold all 8,200 student season tickets for the seven home games in Kinnick Stadium.
Due to the sellout of the two evening games in Kinnick Stadium (6:30 p.m. for Iowa State and 7 p.m. for Michigan), the UI has stopped selling season tickets and three-game ticket packages. Additionally, home games against North Dakota State (Sept. 17) and Wisconsin (Oct. 22) have less than 2,500 tickets remaining.
“We anticipated a boost in ticket sales following our 2015 championship season,” said Gary Barta, the UI’s director of athletics. It’s exciting to see the momentum build and we’re grateful for the support Hawkeye fans continue to show our program. I can’t wait to see the fun and energy in and around Kinnick Stadium.
“Our student sales have increased 35 percent from a year ago,” added Barta. “Student attendance plays a key role in the atmosphere within Kinnick Stadium on game day.
And, we want our students to enjoy the experience and become Hawkeye fans for life.”
