Jan. 1, 2014
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery 1 
| Photo Gallery 2 | Photo Gallery
Iowa (8-5, 5-3) lost to LSU (10-3, 5-3), 21-14, today at the Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes are 2-2 all-time in the Outback Bowl. Iowa defeated Florida, 37-17, in 2004, and South Carolina, 31-10, in 2009. Iowa lost to Florida, 31-24, in 2006.
LSU scored a touchdown on its opening drive in the first quarter. It was the first offensive touchdown allowed by Iowa in the first quarter since Week 1 (Northern Illinois).
Iowa trailed at the half, 14-0. It was the third time this year Iowa trailed at the half (trailed Wisconsin 7-6, lost 28-9; trailed Michigan 21-7, won 24-21).
SS John Lowdermilk recorded his first career interception and returned it 71 yards to set up Iowa’s first touchdown. It was the 12th-longest interception return in school history.
LB James Morris recorded eight tackles to raise his career total to 400. Morris is the sixth player in program history to reach 400 career tackles. Morris recorded two sacks today and finished the season with a team-high eight sacks. He is the first linebacker since 1986, when Iowa started keeping sack totals, to lead the in single-season sacks.
LB Anthony Hitchens led Iowa with 10 tackles. It marked his 13th career game with double-digit tackles.
QB C.J. Beathard relieved QB Jake Rudock at the start of the fourth quarter. Beathard finished the game 4-for-7 for 55 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown pass was the first of his career. The four completions match a career-high.
WR Jordon Cotton returned a kickoff 96 yards in the fourth quarter. It was the longest return of Cotton’s career, and the eighth longest return in school history. It is the longest non-touchdown kickoff return in school history.
K Mike Meyer was perfect on two extra point attempts today. He finished his career with a school-record 122 consecutive PAT attempts, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the nation and the third-best all-time in the Big Ten.
TE C.J. Fiedorowicz caught four passes today to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 31. Fiedorowicz has 89 catches for 467 yards over the last 30 games, and has caught all 10 career touchdowns during the streak.
Instant replay was used two times today.
1) John Lowdermilk touchdown (official review: overruled)
2) C.J. Beathard fumble (official review: overruled)
Iowa won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. In 2013, the Hawkeyes started on defense against Missouri State (W, 28-14) Iowa State (W, 27-21), Western Michigan (W, 59-3), Wisconsin (L, 28-9), Michigan (W, 24-21), and LSU (L, 21-14). Iowa has started the game on defense in 37-of-187 games under Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes are 20-17 in those games.