Hunter
12/31/22
The Iowa Hawkeyes rode two second-quarter pick sixes and the first ever touchdown pass in Joe Labas’ college career to a 21-0 victory over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
Labas, who was forced into the starting role by a season-ending injury to Spencer Petras and the departure of his backup Alex Padilla, threw a second-quarter 15 yard touchdown pass to Luke Lachey to start the scoring.
Seconds later, another first-time starter, safety Xavier Nwankpa scored a TD after intercepting Kentucky QB Destin Wade. Cooper DeJean, named MVP of the bowl game, picked off Wade later in the quarter and returned it 14 yards for Iowa’s third score. Dejean also had a 34-yard punt return and downed a Tory Taylor punt at the Kentucky 2-yard line.
Iowa’s defense was nearly flawless, holding their running attack to just 68 yards on the ground and 117 yards in the air. Labas ended the game 14 for 24 for 139 yards. The offense was unable to convert on any of its third down situations and gained only 67 yards on the ground.
The Hawks end the season at 8-5, and with his tenth bowl victory, head coach Kirk Ferentz tied the late Joe Paterno of Penn State with the most bowl wins as a Big Ten coach.
The day had a bittersweet ending for senior Jack Campbell; his parents informed him after the game that his grandfather passed away late Friday evening following a vehicle-pedestrian accident. 76-year-old William Smith of Waterloo was the father of Campbell’s stepmom Jen. According to a release from Iowa Athletics, his parents made the decision to wait to share the news so that Jack would have one last time to play with his Iowa Hawkeye teammates.
We’ll have comments from the coach and players Sunday morning on KCJJ news; coach Don Patterson will join Pat Harty during the Hawk Fanatic segment Monday at 9am with his analysis of Saturday’s victory.