The Iowa Hawkeyes conducted their first practice in Tampa leading up to the New Year’s Day Outback Bowl against 18th ranked Mississippi State. Four close losses kept this from being a truly memorable season for the Hawkeyes and they hope to turn that around against the Bulldogs.
In a game featuring two of the nation’s top defenses it has the makings of a low scoring affair and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says they need to limit mistakes to have a chance.
“All in all it is going to take our best effort”, said Ferentz. “We have to have a great plan and have to go out and compete well to have a chance to beat these guys.”
Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald rushed for more than a thousand yards and the Bulldogs will challenge an Iowa run defense that is giving up only 103 yards per game.
“They are more of a run heavy team”, said senior safety Geno Stone. “Their quarterback has a lot of carries. They have a good running back and their receivers are big, strong a fast. It is like the SEC teams that you see.”