Hawkeyes Dominate Outback Bowl, Star Running Back Shonn Greene Bolts For NFL

After a year off from football, Iowa running back Shonn Greene just capped off the greatest single season for a back in Iowa's storied football history. 

The All-American embarrassed South Carolina's 11th ranked defense, carrying the ball 29 times for a total of 121 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa's 31-10 victory.  After winning virtually every award a running back can win, and leading Iowa to a bowl game victory, Greene decided enough was enough.

“I don’t think there’s really a lot more I can do here,” Greene said. “People talk about the Heisman, but I think that’s a lot of politics. I don’t like getting caught up in all of that, so I just figure I’ll try my chances.”

Greene's decision to turn pro was only a matter of time, seeing as he turns 24 before next season begins.  He finished his Iowa career with single season records of 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns.  This highly touted back is sure to be selected in the first two rounds, and will instantly impact whatever team takes a chance on him.

Iowa got the game started off with a great drive that ended in a six yard touchdown pass from Sophomore quarterback Ricky Stanzi to Junior wide receiver Trey Stross, and they never looked back.

Two Shonn Greene rushing touchdowns increased Iowa's lead to 21-0 at the break, and Iowa was able to force South Carolina's Freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia to commit four turnovers in the first half of play.

“I can’t take a lot from this. The way it ended was not the way it was supposed to go. It’s pretty frustrating for me, playing in my home city and to not do well,” Garcia said. “I’ve just got to get better. Losing a bowl game in general is pretty frustrating, but doing so in my hometown in front of my family is worse.”

The lone South Carolina score came on a ten yard touchdown score from backup quarterback Chris Smelley to wide receiver Jared Cook, and Head Coach Steve Spurrier fell to 7-8 all-time in bowl games.

Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz tried to respectfully dodge questions of whether or not he would make the big switch to the NFL, and there is speculation he could be the top candidate for the Cleveland Browns' coaching vacancy.

Rumors are that Ferentz has previously decided to hold off on all NFL speculation until all of his children have graduated high school, and he currently has a 15-year old son that attends school in Iowa City.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are definitely a team on the rise, and are going to be a team to watch in 2009.