The Iowa football team leaves for Tampa on Wednesday for a New Year’s Day matchup with Florida in the Outback Bowl. Coach Kirk Ferentz says the seniors have led the way this season and that group includes defensive tackle Jared Clauss (claws) who is confident the Hawks will make a better showing than their Orange Bowl loss to U-S-C. He says they’ve had full contact practices and he thinks they’re practicing better than last year with an appreciation of what it takes to win in January.Clauss says the defense has found success with a physical style of play and will need that against the Gators. He says they don’t blitz alot, but pride themselves on hustling and being tough and imposing their will on others.Defensive lineman Howard Hodges feels the Orange Bowl experience will be a plus in preparations for the Outback Bowl. He says the coaches took a different approach with more work and more intense practices. Safety Bob Sanders says it will be a great way for him to close his Hawkeye career. He says they’re excited about going back to Florida and look forward to a great game.Florida will arrive in Tampa on the 26th.
