DECEMBER 31ST, 1982 - THE PEACH BOWL: IOWA 28, Tennessee 22. After an embarrassment in the Rose Bowl on the first day of that calendar year, the Hawkeyes redeemed themselves on the last day of that same year. Iowa overcame the speed of Tennessee (including the reputed "fastest man in football", Willie Gault), and used an effective passing game to build a lead through 3 quarters, then had the defense make the key plays down the stretch to preserve the victory.
Iowa spotted the Volunteers a 7-0 lead after failing on two drives that got inside the Tennessee 35-yard-line, and giving away the ball on a fumble by Owen Gill. But Chuck Long completed his first 11 passes and ended up passing for (what was at the time a Peach Bowl record) 304 yards and 3 TD's, two to a freshman receiver by the name of Ronnie Harmon, and a long pass to Dave Moritz that gave the Hawkeyes their first bowl TD in the Hayden Fry era. Long, along with Iowa DE Clay Uhlenhake were game MVP's.
In the game's final four minutes, Iowa's defense had to stop Tennessee twice after the Volunteers had closed the gap to 28-22. Linebacker James Erb stopped Tennessee QB Alan Cockrell at the Iowa 6-yard-line for the key stop. A forced fumble by Paul Hufford helped snuff out the final UT threat.
A HIGHLY entertaining game, and a reminder of how good Iowa was getting to be, with their first victory over an SEC opponent in decades. The game is here:
It is humorous to me watching Hayden Fry being interviewed and being asked to lay out his offensive and defensive strategy going into the game. He handled it well, while keeping four aces up his sleeve.
Iowa spotted the Volunteers a 7-0 lead after failing on two drives that got inside the Tennessee 35-yard-line, and giving away the ball on a fumble by Owen Gill. But Chuck Long completed his first 11 passes and ended up passing for (what was at the time a Peach Bowl record) 304 yards and 3 TD's, two to a freshman receiver by the name of Ronnie Harmon, and a long pass to Dave Moritz that gave the Hawkeyes their first bowl TD in the Hayden Fry era. Long, along with Iowa DE Clay Uhlenhake were game MVP's.
In the game's final four minutes, Iowa's defense had to stop Tennessee twice after the Volunteers had closed the gap to 28-22. Linebacker James Erb stopped Tennessee QB Alan Cockrell at the Iowa 6-yard-line for the key stop. A forced fumble by Paul Hufford helped snuff out the final UT threat.
A HIGHLY entertaining game, and a reminder of how good Iowa was getting to be, with their first victory over an SEC opponent in decades. The game is here:
It is humorous to me watching Hayden Fry being interviewed and being asked to lay out his offensive and defensive strategy going into the game. He handled it well, while keeping four aces up his sleeve.
