Iowa has not played Florida since 1983 but the Hawkeyes will be familiar with Gator quarterback Chris Leak when the teams play in the Outback Bowl on New Years Day. The North Carolina native was considered the top high school prospect in the nation last year and visited the Iowa campus before he decided to sign with Florida. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Leak was a pleasure to recruit and an outstanding person with a great family. Leak has thrown for 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season and leads an explosive offense. He says Florida has a lot of great players on both sides of the ball. Iowa leaves for Tampa on Christmas Eve and Ferentz says workouts will pick-up once final exams are complete next week. Florida finished the regular season 8-4 and will be looking to avenge a 38-30 loss to Michigan in the last Outback Bowl. Gator coach Ron Zook says it’s a home field for them in a great stadium. He says the Gators need to get ready for Iowa’s physical style of play. He says there is some resemblance to Arkansas in the way they play.
