The Iowa football team lost, 45-16, to Stanford in the 102nd Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1.
By Danny Payne and Charlie Green
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PASADENA, Calif. — You’re probably just waking up if you’re reading this, and we just want to let you know one thing: It’s all going to be all right. The Sun is up, Iowa still had an awesome season, and we have all the coverage you need from the Rose Bowl.
If you want to read it, it’s here. Although we disagree, we understand if you don’t, because the game was hard to watch if you’re a Hawk fan.
Round up
If Heisman Trophy voting had taken place after the bowl season, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey might have had the award locked up after his record performance against Iowa.
On the other side of the ball, the Cardinal defense suffocated quarterback C.J. Beathard.
The records
Sophomore superstar McCaffrey set a Rose Bowl record with 368 all-purpose yards, the fourth-highest mark in any bowl game all time. The record was held by Jared Abbrederis, who set itin 2012 with Wisconsin.
McCaffrey logged 172 yards rushing, 105 receiving, 63 on punts, and 28 on kickoffs. He also became the first player in Rose Bowl history to tally 100 yards on the ground and as a receiver.
As a team, Stanford became the first team in the game’s history to go up 21-0 in the first quarter.
Big plays
The game couldn’t have started any worse for Iowa. On the first play, quarterback Kevin Hogan hit his tailback in stride over the middle as he was already in the process of blowing by Hawkeye safety Jordan Lomax for a 75-yard score. It was the second-longest play in Rose Bowl history, and he didn’t stop there.
In the second quarter he showed off his skills as a returner, taking a punt 66 yards for another score and putting the Cardinal up 28-0.
Later in the quarter, McCaffrey exploded for a 73-yard touchdown, only to have it called back on a holding penalty. Still, the play counted officially as a 26-yard gain.
On he afternoon he averaged 9.6 yards per carry on 18 attempts.
Iowa’s offense falls flat
Iowa’s offensive line was going to have to play well if the Hawks were going to have a chance, and it couldn’t have played much worse. Stanford’s front seven dominated in the trenches, holding the Hawks to 48 yards rushing and forcing them to turn to the air.
Tackles Sean Welsh and Cole Croston were frequently beaten on the edge, and Beathard took a beating. At the end of the game, he had been sacked seven times and hit even more. Receivers didn’t have time to get downfield, and play calling became limited and predictable.
They also couldn’t get open. Even when Beathard had or made time to throw, Stanford’s secondary had the situation on lockdown, allowing rushers to be even more aggressive in getting after the quarterback.
It was an all-around dominant performance from the Cardinal defensively, in every area you look.
Links
In case you missed any of our content today, it’s all linked below for you to see. Scroll back through our Twitter timeline to check things out, too.
Stanford was simply the better team
Iowa couldn’t stop Christian McCaffrey or the Cardinal
David Shaw discussed the state of the College Football Playoff
Instant reaction from the contest (that word is used loosely)
Our predictions on the game (ha)
Updated pregame exams from Pasadena
Hall of Fame induction at the Rose Bowl
Photos from the Hawkeye Huddle
Wrapping up Wednesday at the Rose Bowl
The Ferentz family is very thankful to the Hawkeyes and with good reason
Photos from the coaches speaking this morning
Barta mum on Ferentz in good times and in bad
Highlights from Kirk Ferentz’s press conference
Highlights from David Shaw’s press conference
Photos from Stanford’s media day
Decorating the Rose Parade floats
Familiarity aplenty, Ott update
Miles Taylor’s time under the radar could soon come to an end
Everything bagel Monday at the Rose Bowl
Photos from Monday at the Rose Bowl
Desmond King is still undecided on his future
Big Ten offense, “Big Ten” defense set to collide
Duzey out for Rose Bowl, Beef Bowl fun
Iowa’s offense, Stanford’s defense meet the media
What’s ahead
On Jan. 2, I’ll have a column up at some point. It’s going to take me a little while to gather my thoughts on this 2015 team, and Internet may be iffy, which was obviously awesome in the regular season, and didn’t finish the job. Bear with me for the timing on that one. After that, if Iowa has another year-end presser, we’ll have coverage of that. If not, it’s been real bringing you the low-down on everything Hawkeyes we’ve experienced together this year.
I [Danny] didn’t, in a million years, think I’d cover a Rose Bowl as Pregame Editor at the DI. I wasn’t even sure I’d cover a bowl. But this season has shocked all of us, for the better or worse, apparently. It’s been a super, super fun experience, my favorite part of which is interacting with all of you guys. Thanks to whoever read or consumed our work in any way; it means so much, and I speak for the whole Pregame staff when I say we love talking with you guys.
Charlie has graduated, so he’ll be gone forever, but you get me for one more semester. I won’t be on a beat, but will stick around as managing editor, so please, let’s continue to talk all things Hawkeyes.
Until next time…
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