Iowa’s Offensive Line Shocks Experts as Joe Moore Award Semifinalist—What’s Behind Their Unexpected Rise?

When you think about grit and grace on the football field, Iowa’s offensive line has been quietly making noise all season long. Ranked 21st nationally and boasting a 6-3 record with a solid 4-2 in the Big Ten, this crew didn’t just sneak onto the Joe Moore Award watch list—they’re now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the nation’s elite as semifinalists. This honor isn’t just handed out to any group; it celebrates trenches warriors who embody toughness, teamwork, and precision. Named after the legendary Joe Moore, whose coaching legacy runs deep, this award has spotlighted some of collegiate football’s finest units, and Iowa’s offensive line is right there in the mix again. Guided by coach George Barnett, the starting five—featuring stalwarts like Logan Jones, Beau Stephens, and Gennings Dunker—has been the engine behind Iowa’s strategic dominance, smothering pass rushes and springing big runs. Their relentless effort has directly fueled standout performances, from a smashing opener against Albany to a crucial comeback against Penn State. If you’re as fascinated by the nuances of line play as I am, this is a story worth following closely. LEARN MORE

After being named to the Joe Moore Award watch list earlier this year, No. 21 Iowa football’s (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) offensive line has been listed among the award’s nine other semifinalists, according to the award’s

Coached by George Barnett, the Hawkeyes’ offensive line includes center Logan Jones, guards Beau Stephens and Kade Pieper, and tackles Gennings Dunker and Trevor Lauck. The five core offensive linemen have started every game for the Hawkeyes this season, while the three most experienced members in Jones, Stephens, and Dunker have combined for 111 career starts.

The unit has helped Iowa gain more than 200 yards in four of its nine contests and has provided superior protection for quarterback Mark Gronowski, surrendering just 13 sacks.

The Hawkeyes’ front line has also paved the way for the team’s rushing attack to outrush opponents in seven of the nine contests, including 310 yards in the season-opening win over Albany and 245 yards in the comeback victory over Penn State on Oct. 18.

The other nine semifinals in competition with Iowa include Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Utah, Vanderbilt, and fellow Big Ten foes Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan.

Since its inception in 2015, Iowa has won the award once (2016), and the Big Ten has earned the distinction on three other occasions (Michigan in 2021 and 2022, Washington in 2023).

Up next for the Hawkeyes will be a trip to Los Angeles, California, for a matchup against No. 17 USC (7-2, 5-1) on Saturday. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:40 p.m. CT, and it will be televised on the Big Ten Network starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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