Iowa football kicker Drew Stevens set a new Hawkeyes program record with his 68th career field goal on Saturday against Penn State. The 4-2 Hawkeyes are looking to salvage any chance they have of making the playoffs. They had a 5% chance going into tonight’s game.
While Iowa had won three of its last four games, the Nittany Lions had lost three straight. After firing head coach James Franklin, tonight was interim head coach Terry Smith’s first game leading Penn State.
Drew Stevens Makes Iowa Hawkeyes History
After his fourth-quarter kick today, Stevens is 68 for 86 during his Iowa career. He set a new Iowa record with a 32-yarder early in the fourth quarter, cutting Penn State’s lead to 21-19. He now holds the record for most field goals in Hawkeyes history.
Drew Stevens is now @HawkeyeFootball’s all-time leader in made field goals with 68 🙌
📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/T6gLEBHuKD
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 19, 2025
The previous record holder was Nate Kaeding. Kaeding, an Iowa City alum, kicked 67 field goals during his Hawkeyes career. He finished his Iowa career as the leading scorer with 373 points; however, that record was broken today by Stevens.
Stevens, however, has some tough footsteps to follow. After his time with Iowa, where he earned All-Big Ten honors, Kaeding moved on to the NFL. He played nine years with the San Diego Chargers and retired as one of the most accurate kickers in league history.
66 yard field goal attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown by Penn State pic.twitter.com/oYAGuPpfO4
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 19, 2025
Earlier in the game, Stevens tied Kaeding with a 39-yard field goal. However, when he had the chance to break the record earlier in the game, his attempt was blocked. That play subsequently led to a touchdown that gave Penn State the lead.
Unfortunately for Stevens, the block added to a difficult recent stretch. He has now missed a field goal in four of the last five Iowa games, including the 20-15 loss to Indiana.
“That (field goal block) represents who we’re gonna be all night. Our guys are gonna play hard. They’re not gonna quit. They’re not gonna give up. … We’re gonna keep playing and represent the Penn State way,” Penn State’s interim head coach shared at halftime.
While his earlier misfortune may have given the Nittany Lions a spark, nobody can take Stevens’ moment away. After tonight, he has etched himself into the history books of Iowa football.
