Jan. 1, 2005
Recap | Stats | Photo Gallery
Iowa has won 38 games over the last four years, which is a new school record. The previous record was 37 established in 1984-87. Iowa’s 31 victories over the last three years is also a new school record for wins over a three-year span. The previous mark was 29 set by Iowa’s 1985-87 teams.
QB Drew Tate was named the 2005 Capital One Bowl MVP. The sophomore quarterback completed 20-32 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions. Tate has thrown two touchdowns or more in six of the last seven games (none at Penn State). Tate has 20 TD passes this season, a total that ranks fourth-best at Iowa for a season. Tate’s totals for the season include 233-375 for 2,786 yards, which is the fifth-best single-season total at Iowa. Tate’s total offense total was 2,710 yards, which ranks sixth-best in a single-season at Iowa.
DL Jonathan Babineaux was named Iowa’s Defensive MVP for today’s game. The senior posted seven tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Fifth-year senior Warren Holloway’s game-winning 56-yard touchdown reception was the first of his career. Holloway finished the game with four catches for 72 yards.
The Hawkeyes finish the season 10-2. Iowa has won 10 more games in a single season six times, including the last three years.
Today’s victory is Iowa’s 200th away from Iowa City.
Today was Iowa’s first-ever game against LSU. Iowa improves to 4-2 against teams from the Southeastern Conference teams (Florida, 1-1; Tennessee, 1-1; Arkansas, 1-0; LSU 1-0).
Iowa finished the season winning its final eight games, which ties a school record for consecutive wins in a single-season (2002).
Iowa has played in four-straight bowl games (2001 Alamo Bowl, 2003 Orange Bowl, 2004 Outback Bowl, 2005 Capital One Bowl). The Capital One Bowl is Iowa’s eighth January bowl appearance. The Hawkeyes improve to 11-8-1 all-time bowl record. This was Iowa’s first appearance in the Capital One Bowl.
Iowa won four games by a combined 11 points this season.
Kirk Ferentz improves to 11-15 against ranked opponents the last six seasons and 9-4 the last three years.
Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. The Hawkeyes have started on offense in 65-of-73 contests under Coach Ferentz.
Iowa scored on its first possession, scoring a touchdown on a 57-yard pass from Drew Tate to Clinton Solomon. The Hawkeyes scored on their opening possession in seven of 12 contests this season.
Iowa has scored on its first possession in three of four bowl games under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa began the Alamo Bowl win over Texas Tech in 2001 with a field goal and began the 2003 Orange Bowl with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Iowa did not score on its first possession in the win over Florida in the 2004 Outback Bowl.
LSU failed to score on its first possession, becoming Iowa’s 10th opponent not to score any points on its opening drive. Illinois and Arizona State are the only opponents to score on their opening drive, as both posted touchdowns.
Iowa’s special teams came up with their fifth and six blocked kicks of the season in the first half. Iowa has blocked four punts and two field goals. Ryan Majerus blocked an LSU punt in the first period, with DB Chigozie Ejiasi recovering, but the turnover did not lead to any points. The block was the first career block for Majerus.
DB Miguel Merrick blocked a punt in the second period, with Sean Considine returning the block seven yards for a touchdown. Merrick blocked a punt in the win over Illinois, with that block resulting in a safety. Considine’s score is his first of the season and second of his career. He had an 18-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a win over Buffalo early in the 2003 season.
Punter David Bradley matched his season-long with a 56 yard punt in the second quarter. He also had 56 yard punts vs. Arizona State and Illinois. Bradley averaged 49.2 yards on six punts, the best average for him in a game this season. His previous best was a 46.5 average on four punts vs. Kent State in the season opener.
WR Ed Hinkel caught 10 passes for 93 yards. The 10 receptions was one shy of an Iowa bowl record set by Ronni Harmon in the 1986 Rose Bowl. The junior caught four or more passes in 10-of-12 games this season. In Iowa’s field goal drive in the third quarter, Hinkel had four catches for 61 yards on the 60-yard drive.
DB Jovon Johnson returned an interception seven yards in the third quarter. The pick was his fourth of the season and 14th of his career. Johnson is tied for third in career interceptions at Iowa. Damien Robinson also had 14 career thefts. Iowa’s career leaders are Nile Kinnick and Devon Mitchell, each with 18 interceptions.
PK Kyle Schlicher has converted 21-26 field goals (15-16, 20-39 yards, with the miss being blocked) and 28-31 PATs this year. Schlicher is Iowa’s leading scorer with 92 points, which ties for seventh in Iowa’s single-season scoring (he is tied with Sedrick Shaw). The 21 field goals ties Iowa’s record for field goals in a season. Rob Houghtlin had 21 FGs in 1987.
RB Marques Simmons scored his third rushing touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter. Both of his previous two scores game in a win over Michigan State.
Iowa improves to 38-4 when leading at the half and 41-2 when leading after three quarters under Coach Ferentz.
Iowa outscored LSU 3-0 in the third quarter. The Hawkeyes outscored their opponents 69-41 this season in the third quarter.
Iowa rushed 29 times for 47 yards. The Hawkeyes rushed for 100 yards or more in only one game this season (Kent State, 214).
Today’s 30-25 thrilling win was Iowa’s first come-from-behind victory of the season.
Today’s victory is Iowa’s third over a ranked opponent this season (33-7 win over 23rd-ranked Ohio State and 30-7 win over ninth-ranked Wisconsin).
Iowa’s passing offense of 2,881 yards (240.1 avg.) ranks fifth-best in a single-season in Iowa’s record books. The Hawkeyes rushing defense of 1,110 yards (92.5) ranks third-best in a single-season in Iowa’s record books.
Iowa scored 30 points today, marking the fourth time this season the Hawkeyes tallied 30 points or more.
Linebackers Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway collected 15 and nine tackles, respectively. Hodge has posted double digit tackles 14 times in his career, including seven times this season. Greenway has 260 career tackles, which ties for 23rd at Iowa. Hodge has 295 career tackles, which ranks 14th at Iowa.
Iowa’s defense recorded 10 tackles for loss, including five sacks.
Iowa finished the season rushing 428 times for 871 yards (72.6 avg.), a total that is the lowest in school history.
Today was the final game for 15 seniors (LS Kody Asmus, DL Jonathan Babineaux, OL Jacob Bowers, P David Bradley, DB Sean Considine, DB Chigozie Ejiasi, WR Warren Holloway, TE Tony Jackson, LB George Lewis, RB Jermelle Lewis, DL Tyler Luebke, OL Pete McMahon, FB Aaron Mickens, DL Derreck Robinson and DE Matt Roth).