I thought I’d write a bit about the Iowa Hawkeyes playing in the Outback Bowl against the Florida Gators this year. Iowa lost that game 34-27. Let me tell you, I don’t think the game was what either team expected. I also don’t think it was a game any of the fans expected.

First off, the Hawks gave the Gators two touchdowns. That’s right, Gator fans, we GAVE you two touchdowns. A blocked punt and an interception ran back for a TD; the blocked punt was just bad blocking and the interception was on a tipped ball. That means the Gators only scored three times. Let’s examine those three times:

1. The Gator’s first offensive touchdown came after two very questionable calls by officials.
   1. The first call was a Roughing the Kicker call which supposedly occured when Florida punted on a 4th and 6 from inside their own 30. Apparently the kicker can kick the ball, come down and take two steps and then fall down and get a Roughing the Kicker call, because that is exactly what the replay showed.
   2. The second call was when Chris Leak, the Gator quarterback, was flushed from the pocket and ran toward the sideline. He slid and was tackled almost simultaneously by Kenny Iwebema, the defensive end from the opposite side. As Leak slid, he ducked and Iwebema grabbed mostly air. The play would have resulted in a 4th and 4 and a Gator punt. The call, however, was a dead-ball Personal Foul - Helmet to Helmet Contact; the replay showed there was absolutely NO helmet contact for either player (except Iwebema’s stomach on Leak’s helmet). Apparently, a defensive end can’t tackle the quarterback.
   3. Three plays later, Florida scored it’s first offensive touchdown of the game. They needed the help of two phantom flags to score. UNBELIEVABLE!
2. In the second half, Hawkeye wide receiver Clinton Solomon was called for a Personal Foul - Facemask. He was not near the actual play, which happened to result in an Iowa first down. Upon watching the replay, we find that Gator cornerback Vernell Brown actually grabbed Solomon’s facemask with BOTH hands; Solomon stiff-armed him in the top of the helmet, NOT the facemask, and was flagged for a facemask. Again, UNBELIEVABLE!
3. The crucial flag was with 1:20 or so in the game. Iowa had just scored to pull within a touchdown. They lined up for an on-side kick. It was PERFECTLY executed. The ball took the big hop it’s supposed to and Scott Chandler came down with the ball. But, guess what? A flag. The referees decided that Chad Greenway was offsides on the kickoff. Replay upon replay showed that he in fact was NOT. So now, instead of Iowa having the ball on Florida’s 38 or so, they have to kick off again. The second kick, Florida handles. Again, SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE!

Even the announcers couldn’t cover for these calls. They had no explanations as to why the flags were thrown. Chris Spielman (the color announcer and former NFL and Ohio State linebacker) was beside himself. He was saying things like “The game is just too fast for these officials” and “Maybe they should review the calls with the tape we’re watching”.

Please, understand. I’m NOT saying that the Hawkeyes would have won the game. I believe that Florida was a bigger, faster and more athletic team. The problem is that Iowa had a chance and with great teamwork and execution they put themselves into a position to be able to win the game and the referees took that position away from them; more than once. It becomes even more of a case for reviewable calls.

On a positive note I believe that such a game, where Iowa showed no signs of quitting and they were clearly on the short end of questionable calls, will only help our recruiting for the future. Traditionally, the Hawks have gone into Florida and lured a few gems away from there. This year’s Hawkeyes from the state of Florida who played significant minutes include: Abdul Hodge, Antwan Allen, Champ Bailey, Edmund Miles, Marcus Paschal, Damian Simms. There are probably others who played but not as many minutes as these guys. Hopefully some of the Florida players riding the fence will like what they see in the Hawkeyes and sign with us.