Hawks win the Orange Bowl!

Okay, I know this is late; but I had to work the night of the game and have been busy ever since. I listened to the game on the radio, but there's nothing like watching it. Would have loved to be in Miami for the game but I had to settle for watching a recording of the game at home. All I can say is, wow!

Defensive coordinator Norm Parker's defense has taken to heart his philosophy of "10 seconds of hell". How else to explain holding one of the most prolific offenses in the nation to roughly half their usual output? And how about Adrian Clayborn, a defensive lineman who was named the game MVP? The only times GT was able to gain any yards on the ground was when they ran away from him. This guy could have made millions by jumping to the NFL, but he'll be back at Iowa next season. As head coach Kirk Ferentz said with a smile, he's going for national honors now.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Hawks did what they had to do to win the game, just as they've done all season. Say what you will about Stanzi's interceptions, including a pick six in the Orange Bowl, he's proven again and again that he's a winner. He's not an NFL quarterback right now, but he could get there. He just has to keep working and improving.

There have been some comments from Georgia Tech players and coaches that they shot themselves in the foot. That reminds me of the last time Iowa was in the Orange Bowl in 2002 and got trounced by USC. It wasn't the loss that rankled so much as the fact that the Hawks played poorly. Kirk Ferentz and his staff learned a valuable lesson that day. A bowl game should be fun for the players, but they also have to prepare and above all play hard. That lesson has carried over into the regular season. Apart from a couple of down years Iowa has always, win or lose, played their hearts out.

In short, what a great game. What an incredible season. What a fantastic year to be an Iowa Hawkeye fan!

For now good night.