Kids Day at Kinnick

Saturday gave Iowa Football fans a look as to what the 2010 season may have in store. The annual Kids Day at Kinnick drew many on a warm and humid day in Iowa City. There aren't many questions surrounding the 2010 squad, but this unique opportunity gave fans a chance to see their favorite players for free when the entire season is sold out.

Senior leadership is the key to this year's team. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi leads his underclassmen QBs to Kinnick Stadium. James Vandenberg (16) and John Wienke (14) will fight for the job in 2011.

The rare opportunity for fans to get a glimpse at the football team also gave people the opprotunity for pictures in the historic stadium. This bridal party took advantage of getting some wedding photos with the field as a background.

Among the crowd favorites for autographs was defensive lineman, Adrian Clayborn. Barring any injuries Clayborn will vie for All-American honors.

And by far the most popular autograph was that of the starting QB. Stanzi's name was being chanted by the youngsters following the Saturday scrimmage.

#9 Most Memorable Iowa Football Game since 1999

The countdown continues of the Top Ten Most Memorable Iowa Football Games under Kirk Ferentz. #9 on this list could be best described by the Four Seasons popular song, "Oh What a Night."

Engy's #9 - 2008 Iowa 55 Minnesota 0. It would be the last time the battle for Floyd of Rosedale would take place inside the downtown Metrodome facility. It would also be the last time Hawekeye fans would flock to what would become termed "Kinnick North," a home away from home as Iowa fans traveled well up Interstate 35 and drown out their neighbors to the north. Emotions ran high on this night as it was not only Senior Night for the Gophers, but the final home game played under the Teflon roof before they took their show to the new on-campus TCF Bank Stadium. A border battle was expected, but there was little fight on this cold Minneapolis night. The Hawkeyes seemed stymied by the Gopher defense early on as quarterback Ricky Stanzi used up all three timeouts early in the first quarter, but it didn't take long for the Shonn Greene show to pick up steam. Not only did the Doak Walker winner pound away at touchdowns, but the Iowa Defense contributed to the scoring parade as Amari Spievey intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. What started out as a competitive game turned into a comedy by halftime sending many of the fans from the north home early, never wanted to see another Gopher game indoors. The Hawkeye fans however didn't want to leave, and in some respects, treated it as their home as the score ended up 55-0, the worst defeat in the history of the series.

Amy T #9 - 2003 Iowa 27 -Wisconsin 21. The Hawkeyes held on late in the last game of the series before the Heartland Trophy was introduced a year later in Iowa City.

Phil Haddy #9 - 2004 Iowa 33 Ohio State 7. An afternoon in Iowa City which many will not forget. A complete domination of a traditional Big Ten power. Most notable for the Buckeyes on this day was the emergence of Troy Smith, future QB who will go on to lead the Buckeyes to the National Title Game in the following years. Smith came entered in the second half and held onto the job for the rest of his career.

Pete #9 - 2002 Iowa 31 Purdue 28. Iowa's Dallas Clark scored the winning touchdown in the final minutes on a fourth down play, while unknown Adolphus Shelton intercepts a Purdue pass deep in Iowa territory to preserve victory.

Now it is your time to list your #9 in the list.

Images from the Orange Bowl

Below are images from the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl with the victorious Iowa Hawkeyes. Due to issues beyond my control in Miami, we are behind updating the blog. Check back again for more photos and video from the trip to South Florida.

Iowa Football players Ricky Stanzi and Adrian Clayborn, along with head football coach, Kirk Ferentz accept the championship and MVP trophies from the president of the Orange Bowl committee, Phyliss Oeters.

The Scoreboard says it all

The team enters Land Shark Stadium minutes before kick off

Sean McDonough calling the game for ESPN Radio (back to the camera) speaks with the Iowa head coach during pre-game warm-ups.

The Iowa head coach enters Land Shark Stadium prior to the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl

Fox Sports in Iowa City

The 2010 Orange Bowl will be played on FOX, the last BCS game on the network before handing the contract over to ESPN. In preparation for the game against Georgia Tech Fox Sports sent a crew to Iowa City to record spots to be used during the game. From set up to tear down, the assembled crew from throughout the USA spent an entire day, recording hours of footage in which only minutes will be used.

Pat Angerer was one of many spotlighted.
Dace took his turn in front of the cameras. One question he was asked dealt with the Iowa fanbase and their large support.

From Fox Sports, Jennifer (near) is on her third year recording BCS teams. In 2007 she visited Lawrence, Kansas and a year ago travelled to Salt Lake City to spend time with the Utah Utes. Both Kansas and Utah won their game. Jennifer ensured us her two teams went on to win their bowl game.

Pat Angerer was asked about his favorite MMA moves, but declined to demonstrate any of them on camera. However he did speak of his hobby, bowling. Look for a line during the game in which he talks about playing it in his "spare" time.

Iowa Quarterback Ricky Stanzi fielded questions as well as repeating staged lines. The process was tedious and time consuming. All athletes were asked to speak their parts multiple times from different, marked out places within the room. Look for Ricky's line about the Happy Hawkeye Polka Song. Sports Information Director Phil Haddy and I thought they were referring to the Hokey Pokey.

The final interview of the day belonged to Head Coach, Kirk Ferentz. His part was more Q&A rather than staged material.

Ferentz spoke of the entire season, but among his highlights from the year were the blocked kicks against Northern Iowa.

As I said earlier, the Fox crew recorded many segments, but only a few will make the cutting room floor. A similar crew headed to Atlanta to do the same with the Yellow Jackets. This crew, except for Jennifer will travel to Boise, Idaho and shoot the Broncos for their Fiesta Bowl match-up.

Bowl Practice Begins

Iowa Football began its on-field preparation for their upcoming bowl game on Thursday and it will continue into the weekend. The opponent and site have yet to be determined, but time does not wait for the Hawkeyes. A big question is the health of quarterback Ricky Stanzi who was injured November 7 against Northwestern. As you see from the pictures below, Stanzi is back at practice and fully participating.

One Month from today is the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, one of the many possibilities for the Hawkeyes.

Ricky Stanzi - One on One

A holiday treat. Iowa starting Quarterback, Rick Stanzi spent a couple of minutes for the blog.