Tampa Bay Football History Network

2009 Outback Bowl

Iowa (8-4) won its last three games heading into the Outback Bowl, while South Carolina (7-5) had lost its last two. The Hawkeyes were making the school’s 23rd bowl appearance and the Gamecocks were bowling for the 15th time. It was the third time each team had appeared in the Outback Bowl and the first meeting between the two schools. The crowd of 55,117 was the lowest attendance since 2000.

The game got out of hand early with South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia (9 of 18 for 79 yards) being picked off three times and losing a fumble on the Gamecocks' first four possessions. Iowa Ricky Stanzi (13 of 19 for 147 yards with 2 INTs) tossed a TD pass and running back Shonn Greene earned MVP honors with 121 yards on an Outback record 29 carriers and three scores. The Iowa defense was lead by a pair of interceptions by safety Tyler Sash and two fumble recoveries by linebacker A.J. Edds, as South Carolina turned the ball over a total of five times. After the 31-10 victory, Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz commented, “It's been a great year. I can't remember one more enjoyable than this one. We've had some championship years, but this is a championship in its own way." USC coach Steve Spurrier remarked, “Give Iowa credit for kicking out butt.”

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