Hawkeyes Take Sting Out Of Jackets

Last Summer, I wrote on another blog, kgussports.blogspot.com, that Iowa had a great shot to win the Big 10 Title. They didn't do it, but they did the next best thing. They shut down the vaunted Georgia Tech Tripple Option Offense and won the FedEx Orange Bowl over the Jackets 24-14.

It shouldn't;t be a total surprise since Iowa's defense is among the top defenses in the country, leading the nation in take aways. Adrian Clayborne had a fantastic game and was named the MVP of the FedEx Orange Bowl. There was concern over how Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi would play after an ankle injury and his inconsistent play during the season. Stanzi answered the critics and doubters by completing 17-29 passes for 231, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Why do I cheer for the Hawkeyes? I was born in Cedar Rapids, IA but grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA cheering for the Dawgs and yest, at times, the Yellow Jackets. It all has to do with cataracts. I was born with congenital cataracts, a growth forming over the eyes that, if not removed, can cause blindness. At the time (1972), the University of Iowa had the best eye care program in the country. My parents found out about it and waisted no time in getting an appointment.

One thing led to another, and eventually the cataracts were removed by a surgeon at the Univ. of Iowa Hospital. The surgeon was Dr. Dick Scott, who happened to be a former All-Big 10 Football and Basketball player at Iowa. Here's another amazing footnote: Dr. Scott only has one eye himself. In the Summer of 1985, we went back to Iowa and got an eye appointment with none other than Dr. Scott, who was still working and teaching at the university. He was a tall man, about 6'7 with huge hands. He asked me if I remembered him. Obviously, having been an infant at the time of the surgery, I said no. It was so neat and such an honor to meet the man who gave me my sight. You can now see why I root tenaciously for the Hawkeyes. On January 1, 1986, we had the pleasure of seeing the Hawkeyes in person as they battle d the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The Hawkeyes lost 45-28, but it was still thrilling to see the Hawkeyes play. As far as the current Iowa football Team is concerned, this team has the talent to win the Big 10 Title and eventually compete for a National Championship.