BOOMERRANG : December 2009

December 31, 2009

December 30, 2009

HAWKEYES ~ BUCKEYES LAND IN OT

The ride was long, but it was a beautiful day in Columbus, Ohio. The sun was shining and the Hawkeyes were hopeful. At the end of this day the Hawks would be 10-1 and headed to the Rose Bowl or 9-2 with a destiny not so clear.

The last time the Hawkeyes beat the Buckeyes in the "Shoe" was on Nov 2, 1991, 16-9. While the victory was a day of joy, it came just one day after the fatal University of Iowa campus shooting spree by a disgruntled student, that left five dead and one injured.

security at the Shoe

57 degrees in Columbus - my incoming text messages were never ending. Stanzi out - would Richardson, Sandeman, Greenwood and Robinson return from their Michigan State injuries? The fans were hopeful. All would return except Richardson. Wegher out with difficulties from injuries sustained in previous games, Robinson would carry the load.

GoodYear Blimp over the stadium

HAWKS ARRIVAL TO THE SHOE

1st of the 3 buses carrying the Hawkeye Players

Ohio State The "Shoe" Stadium

The Shoe

the Guard getting ready to fly the American Flag

My personal view of the game

This would be one of the most memorable games in Iowa school history. A red shirted freshman would lead the team, replacing injured quarterback Ricky Stanzi, and racking up 234 yards with 2 touchdowns. A redshirted freshman Adam Robinson would carry the running load with 74 yards rushing and two receptions for 13 yards. DJK would net a 99 yard return for a touchdown.

courtesy Des Moines Register

Adrian Clayborn - Des Moines Register

The Hawkeyes arrived at the Horseshoe Stadium as 17 point underdogs. With 2:42 left in regulation play the score was 24 - 24. Perhaps the most controversial play call of Coach Ferentz's career came this night in Columbus Ohio, during the remaining 52 seconds of the game. The Hawks ran the clock down and went into overtime. Coach Ferentz said " We could ha e had Joe Namath in there and we would have done the same thing."

Marvin McNutt- Des Moines Register

courtesy Des Moines Register

The Hawks missed a field goal in OT and the Buckeyes made a field goal in OT. That was the deciding factor in the Iowa - Ohio State game of 2009. 27-24 not bad for a team who kept us on the edge of our seats.