TAMPA, FLORIDA – The LSU rushing attack proved to be too much for Iowa’s stingy defense, as Tiger running back Jeremy Hill rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns, guiding LSU over Iowa in the Outback Bowl, 21-14.
Iowa finishes the season at 8-5 overall, while LSU finishes at 10-3.
LSU scored a touchdown on its opening drive in the first quarter. It was the first offensive touchdown allowed by Iowa in the first quarter since Week 1 against Northern Illinois.
Iowa trailed at the half, 14-0. It was the third time this year Iowa trailed at the half (trailed Wisconsin 7-6, lost 28-9; trailed Michigan 21-7, won 24-21).
Iowa strong safety John Lowdermilk recorded his first career interception and returned it 71 yards to set up Iowa’s first touchdown, coming in the third quarter. It was the 12th-longest interception return in school history. Hawkeye senior linebacker James Morris recorded eight tackles to raise his career total to 400. Morris is the sixth player in program history to reach 400 career tackles.
Quarterback C.J. Beathard relieved starter Jake Rudock at the beginning of the fourth quarter after Ruddock was shaken up. Beathard finished the game 4-for-7 for 55 yards and one touchdown, to Kevonte Martin-Manley. The touchdown pass was the first of his career. The four completions match a career-high. The score got Iowa to within 21-14.
The Hawkeyes are 2-2 all-time at the Outback Bowl. Iowa defeated Florida, 37-17, in 2004, and South Carolina, 31-10, in 2009. Iowa lost to Florida, 31-24, in 2006.
