A season that began with a lot of question marks ends in Wednesday’s Outback Bowl when the Iowa Hawkeyes take on LSU. The Hawks held their final practice in Tampa, today, and take an 8-4 record into the contest. “We came into the season first of all knowing that we had a new quarterback and you never know how that is going to go. And we also knew we were really inexperienced at receiver…I think we’ve seen growth pretty much at every position, and that’s what you hope for,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says. He says it has been a great trip and will end with a game against a quality opponent that has a lot of pride and a tradition of winning games.

It will be the final game for Iowa’s trio of senior linebackers, including Solon native James Morris. “I understand it, but I don’t think it has hit me yet,” Morris says. Morris says there is a lot riding on the outcome of this game as it will have a lot to do with how the season is defined and the mark the senior class made.

Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock says LSU’s defense will be a challenge as they are fast and athletic and swarm to the ball. Iowa running back Mark Weisman says it is a great way to end the season. “That’s what you play for, you play to play in a good bowl game and that’s what we got this year,”Weisman says.