DECEMBER 26TH, 1984, THE FREEDOM BOWL: IOWA 55, #19 Texas 17. I have to give some space here to one of the game's identified as Hayden's all-time favorites. Having come from Texas, he knew the pedigree and reputation of Texas - and knew what such a school thought of the schools Hayden had coached at (SMU and North Texas State in Texas, then ... Iowa). And despite a pouring down rainstorm the entire game, Hayden had a master plan.
Chuck Long threw no less than 6 touchdown passes in that game. And even though Iowa trailed in the 1st half, and the game was quite close at the half, the 2nd half belonged to the Hawkeyes. This is a bowl that was only in existence for two years, and was a consolation prize for a season that had gone south fast in the final weeks. Still, this set the stage for the nation's #1 team the next season, headed up by the QB who chose to return for one final season, and nearly won the Heisman Trophy, Chuck Long.
The game highlights are here:
Chuck Long threw no less than 6 touchdown passes in that game. And even though Iowa trailed in the 1st half, and the game was quite close at the half, the 2nd half belonged to the Hawkeyes. This is a bowl that was only in existence for two years, and was a consolation prize for a season that had gone south fast in the final weeks. Still, this set the stage for the nation's #1 team the next season, headed up by the QB who chose to return for one final season, and nearly won the Heisman Trophy, Chuck Long.
The game highlights are here:
