Greatest Moments in Iowa Hawkeyes Football History by The Cedar Rapids Gazette

Author:The Cedar Rapids Gazette
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781633191266
Publisher: Triumph Books
Published: 2006-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

California’s Calling as Iowa Earns Rose Bowl Bid

Gordy Bohannon (11) ran for 34 yards, mostly on quarterback draws, and completed 8 of 16 passes.

By Gus Schrader, The Gazette

Start packing! California, here they come! Pasadena or bust!

Rose Bowl, how sweet it is! How do we get tickets?

Or, as Coach Hayden Fry said, “How ’bout those Hawks? Yaaahooo!”

Who would have guessed it three months ago? Or two months ago after the Hawkeyes were upset at Iowa State? Or a month ago when Iowa lost two straight, to Minnesota and Illinois?

Or even a few hours ago, when an incredible two-game Big Ten parlay had to come home Saturday? But Iowa’s 36–7 triumph over Michigan State, coupled with Ohio State’s 14–9 upset of Michigan, turned the Rose Bowl key.

It’s true, no matter what the odds were, and Jan. 1 the Hawkeyes will be playing Washington’s Huskies before 103,000 people in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl with most of the world watching on television.

Yes, Iowa’s Cinderella team that was picked by nobody to win the Big Ten, finished on Saturday in a title tie with Ohio State, which ironically earned little but the right to play Navy in the Liberty Bowl at Memphis.

The Hawks will play a Washington team that earned its third Rose Bowl berth in the last five seasons. The Huskies, coached by Don James, beat Michigan, 27–20, on Jan. 1, 1978, and last New Year’s Day lost a 23–6 decision to Michigan.

“I think Iowa will be a great team to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl,” said Muddy Waters, the Michigan State coach who was a gallant and generous loser.

“I don’t care who we play in the Rose Bowl,” said an ecstatic Fry, who came into the interview room carrying a long-stemmed rose and wearing a Rose Bowl patch stuck on his forehead. “Shoot, except for the money, I’d go out to Pasadena tomorrow if they’d let me, but I guess our team will probably go out Dec. 22 or 23.

“Yes, we finally came of age, and I’m ready to admit this is a pretty good football team.

“About all our team has accomplished since the game ended — besides hug each other — was to give thanks to the good Lord, who certainly smiled on us today. We’re the chosen people. I’m no preacher, but I want to thank the Lord for giving me the privilege of being associated with this group of fine young men.”

Fry was asked if he really expected Ohio State to upend Michigan.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Iowa City, Nov. 21, 1981

MICHIGAN STATE 0 7 0 0 – 7

IOWA 16 0 20 0 – 36

“Hey, apparently there were a lot of folks listening to that game on their radios in the stands,” the coach replied. “We could hear our crowd roar every once in a while, but I didn’t know if all the drunks had got together or what.

“I finally got hold of a man with a radio. He said the score was 14-9, but he was so uptight he couldn’t even tell me who was ahead.

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