SEASON IN THE SUN 3

OLD DAYS

Iowa's football season started with the Hawkeyes playing in uniforms from the distant past. Kent State did the same. Iowa 39 and Kent State 7.

STATE RIVALRY

Iowa State lost as many games as Iowa won in 2003. They were competitive, but Iowa won 17 to 10. Little did one know that Iowa State would tie for the Big 12 North and win the Independence Bowl. They beat the likes of K-State and Nebraska.

THE FALL

It didn't take Iowa long to lose. They were clobbered by Arizona State 44 to 7 as the southhwest state went on to win their bowl and Michigan beat Iowa and later tied the Hawks for the Big 10 championship. Michigan would lose the Rose Bowl in the last few seconds to Texas.

THE LONG MARCH

Now the 2 for 2 Hawks found their rhythm. There was a big win over Michigan State 30-17 and an incredible win over Ohio State 33 to 7. How many years does Iowa beat Ohio State? Not many.

Iowa clung on to beat Penn State 6 to 4 and easily bypassed Illinois 23 to 13. Then came a big one with Purdue. It was Iowa 23 to Purdue's 21. Iowa then beat Minnesota and Wisconsin. Both very competitive, but Iowa won anyway.

THE OLANDO PASS

Remember Tate-Solomon. In the Capitol One Bowl, Iowa generally stayed ahead of last years champ, LSU, but the game was exciting to a general audience and a cardiac stretch for Hawk fans. At the last second, Drew Tate threw a Hail Mary like bomb to Warren Solomon and he went into the end zone. The game was over. HAWKEYES HAD A 10-2 SEASON.

KING KIRK

After 6 years, Ferentz has had 2 losing years and 4 winning years. The last 3 have been incredible. It can't keep going like this. Fry won 70% of his games and made champs out of numerous new coaches and players. Yet, the last 2 years of recruiting left the cupboard bare. Ferentz turned the program back toward Fry's Glory Days and were off to more Saturdays hopefully in the sun. Ferentz has to lose sometime, so don't forget these days.

Iowa was ranked in the top ten teams at the end of the season. Coach Ferentz, do you have any advice for Nebraska? This was their worst year in 45 big ones.