The Iowa Hawkeyes used a quick start and as late clinching touchdown run from Brandon Wegher for a 24-14 win over Georgia Tech in the 76th Orange Bowl to claim its first B.C.S. bowl title.
Iowa’s defense was spectacular against Georgia Tech’s triple option attack. The Yellow Jackets averaged over 307 yards of rushing per game but were held to only 155 yards of total offense. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was named the outstanding player after collecting nine tackles, including two sacks.
Clayborn says it feels “amazing” to get the victory and he credits defensive coach Norm Parker for putting together a great game plan.
The Hawkeyes finish 11-2 and claim their first win in a major bowl game since 1959. Clayborn says the BCS win means a lot over a great team and will give them a lot of momentum going into next season.
Ricky Stanzi finished 17 of 29 for 231 yards and his two first quarter touchdown passes gave the Hawks an early 14-0 lead. Stanzi says execution was the biggest thing and that is what held them back earlier in the year. Stanzi says it was a great win for the program, as he says it’s an honor to be playing at Iowa and to play for a great coach.
Brandon Wegher finished with 114 yards of rushing and a ground game that struggled for much of the regular season totaled 176 yards as Iowa outrushed Georgia Tech. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says they have a pretty decent running attack and the problem has been having them both healthy at one time. After losing in the 2003 Orange Bowl the Hawkeyes finished the season with a solid effort.
Ferentz says they wanted to finish up in a way that represented the type of team they had all season and he says the game did that and showed how mentally tough the team is. Ferentz says the defense set the tempo, and Ferentz says the credit goes to Parker and the defensive staff for the plan and the players for carrying it out.