Dec. 21, 2006
University of Iowa defensive end Bryan Mattison is frank when it comes to the Hawkeyes’ participation in the 2006 Alamo Bowl.”It’s a great opportunity. We’re really fortunate that they’ve selected us,” said the junior who is the focus of today’s “Alamo Bowl Countdown.”
“We’re all excited here and I would think they’d be just as excited at Texas. It’s going to be a great game.”
Mattison, a junior who led the Hawkeyes with six quarterback sacks among his 58 tackles, said the 2006 Iowa squad knows it didn’t play to the level that fans of the Hawkeyes have come to expect and, more importantly, what they expect of themselves.
Soul searching? “None of us came here to lose six games in a season. We ve jad a chance to think about the season and why we came to the University of Iowa and what we wanted to accomplish as a team and that’s been a positive,” he said.
Mattison is focused on the defending national champion Texas Longhorns and the 2006 Alamo Bowl, but he is also keeping a close eye on the Ohio State-Florida national championship game. His father is a member of the Gator staff.
“I’ve got to go with Florida,” he smiled when asked to pick a winner. “There’s a lot of people at home that are pointing that direction. I’m a Big Ten guy and I know Ohio State is a member of the Big Ten, but, this time, I’ve got to go with Florida. I’ve got to go with Dad.”
To watch the video feature on Mattison or any of the previous “Countdown” videos, visit the hawkeyesports.com’s Alamo Bowl Bowl Central page by clicking HERE and click on Bryan Mattison in the upper right hand corner.
The video is free, but all visitors to Hawkeye All-Access, the multi-media pages of hawkeyesports.com do need to register.
Alamo Bowl Countdown
Sunday, Dec. 17 – Quarterback Drew Tate
Monday, Dec. 18 – Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Offensive Lineman Marshal Yanda
Wednesday, Dec. 20 – Defensive Back Marcus Paschal
Thursday, Dec. 21 – Defensive End Bryan Mattison