Iowa has just come back from an 8-1 deficit after 5 and a half innings to defeat Michigan 8-1 in the semifinals 11-8.  Kurt Lee had a two run double with the bases loaded in the 8th to give them a 9-8 lead.  The Hawkeyes have fended off elimination for the second straight day, and will now face Minnesota for the Big Ten Championship tonight around 7 pm.  Iowa must win tonight and again tomorrow, due to fighting their way through the loser's bracket.  The Gophers need just one victory to end the Hawkeyes' dream.

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The Hawkeyes are wrestling in Vernal, UT tonight.  I hadn't seen anywhere on the site that we were having a live thread or anything like that, and, since I have no life, I decided to add what I have heard on the radio so far. (I could be wrong about the Utah Valley wrestlers.  I am trying to fill them in from memory and their roster after the fact.)

125: Matt McDonough vs. Benjamin Kjar- Controlled the match, but did not look good, per the announcers.  Scored a 7-4 decision. 3-0 Iowa.

133: Dan Dennis vs. Flint Ray (I think, there are 3 Rays at 133 on their roster) - With the lead late in the second and riding time advantage, Dennis was reversed to a 2 pt near fall, making the score 4-3 for the Utah Valley wrestler.  Dennis gained the one minute of riding time back, but released his opponent to make it 5-3.  It remained that until 3 seconds left, when, with a desperation shot, Dennis scored the takedown to tie.  3 seconds later time expired with Dennis with just over a minute of riding time for a 6-5 win. 6-0 Hawks

141: Montell Marion vs. Jeffery Newby- Outscored his opponent 20-7 for the major decision. 10-0 Hawks

149: The Brent Metcalf vs. Justin Morrill- Fall at 1:43 of the first.  Nothing else to say, the dude isn't human.  16-0 Hawks

157: Jake Kerr vs. Clay Frost- After a sluggish, unimpressive start, Kerr turns it on for a major decision 12-4. 20-0 Hawks

165: M* vs. Jeff Clark- Weird.  Very little action in the first period. Scoreless match until M* gets nearfall points from the top to start second.  Morningstar wins 3-1. 23-0 Hawks

174: Jay Borschel  vs. Brad Darrington:  Apparently Darrington, and UVU, for that matter, scored a big upset last night against Boise St.  JayBo yawns his approval and then proceeds to impose his will for 7 minutes.  Not an impressive score, but the match was never in doubt.  JayBo had 9 hours of riding time and wins 8-2. 26-0 Hawks.

184: Hometown Hero Phil Keddy vs. Casen Eldredge- In a match taking place in his former high school's (Uintah High School, I assume this is by design, and a nice touch) gymnasium, with 42 family members in attendance, Phil took a 2-1 lead after 1.  He quickly escaped and got an immediate takedown to make it 5-1.  From there, Keddy took several shots that were not successful, but still productive, as he forced several stall calls.  Eldredge did his best Steve Prefontaine impression, running away all over the place (at least out of bounds a whole lot) the whole 3rd period.  Keddy cruises to 9-3 decision. 29-0 Hawks

197: Luke Lofthouse vs. Josh Wood- Incidentally, during this match the announcers said that Beatty made the trip, but his foot is in a boot.  He has been practicing a bit, but only against lighter guys.  This is also somewhat of a homecoming for Double L.  Luke wrestles pretty well, despite giving up a takedown in the 3rd, and gets the decision 12-5. 32-0 Hawks

HWT: Dan Erekson wins by forfeit.  38-0 Hawks.

It was a dominating performance against a lesser opponent, but it did not sound terribly impressive.  I may be wrong about this, but I think, for the second meet in a row, Lofthouse's opponent scored the one and only take down for the opposing team in the whole meet.  When the opponent scores 95% (figuratively speaking, I wouldn't actually do math for this) of their match points on release escapes, it's hard to argue with the results, even if it wasn't exactly what Brands wants to see.

Sorry, about this, guys and gals, before I even write it.  We all need to blow off some cardiac steam (luckily, no I am not kidding, I was watching the Orange Bowl with one of my best friends who has a guy that sells defibrillators for a living on speed dial) and we all need to celebrate this game.  It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and unbelievable.  However, I am the type of guy that's just never satisfied; in my profession I know I can do better, and that there is always something on the horizon that's better than what I did before.  That's just my style of thinking: there's always more to be done.

I only write this because I have said it to about everyone in my cell phone contacts: Every game we play for the next 12 months is for the National Championship in 2010.  I have to preface this.  I am from a family of teachers.  I am a first year teacher, my mom is a 25 year teacher, my dad is a 30 year teacher.  All of us started back to school yesterday.  Dad lamented the fact that we played in a game on the 5th because it meant we couldn't gather together as a family and watch the game.  Also, we didn't have a day to recover.  I told him, "Yeah, it sucks, but if we win this we are launched to heights unseen in Iowa football since Evy."  In essence, I believed that this was the biggest game in Iowa football in 50 years.

The reason for this is that there is no denying us our spot among the elite now.  I wrote a fanpost a couple months ago that stated, basically, that all we could control was winning.  This year, that was the case.  That went out the window tonight.  We laid the blueprint for beating Georgia Tech.  We showed what a Big Ten defense is all about.  Clayborn showed that (this is utter blasphemy, I know) Suh paved the way and kept his seat on the national throne warm.  For the Big Ten, now, we are the odds on favorite.  There is going to be an epic showdown in Kinnick this year.  In that game we are going to have to prove, once again, that we belong, that we are the Big Ten's best.  If we win out, there is no denying us.

Well, I am really drunk and have to teach 45 miles from where I am at right now in 6 hours, so I will just say this:  In 8 months the Hawkeyes' quest for the ultimate goal begins.  If we take care of business, there is no denying us again.  Yes, there are casualties (Tony Mo, Stross, Dace, Eubanks, Happierer, Edds, etc.), but the nucleus is back.  God damn it is a long time from January to August.  GO HAWKS!

This seems to be the year that we find out what heights the University of Iowa football program can soar to.  Forget the respect, disrespect, closer wins than expected, easier wins than expected, and everything in between.  Do you remember how you felt about Iowa football one year ago today?  Let me refresh your memory.  We had just lost on a game-winning field goal to The Zookers after tying the game late.  That dropped Iowa to 5-4 with the 3rd-ranked, undefeated Nittany Lions coming to town.  I haven't looked back through the posts from last year, but it wasn't good times.  That game left this life-long loyal Hawk with a lot of questions.  That game was also the last time Iowa lost.

The Tiger Slam, as I understand it, is winning all of the majors, but not in one season.  I believe Tiger won the British Open and PGA Championship one season, then won the Masters and U.S. Open the next season, meaning that he held all 4 major championships at the same time, but not the same season.  Iowa has pulled off the college football equivalent of the Tiger Slam: an undefeated 13-0 record over the last 365 (now 368) days, covering two seasons. 

What a year it has been.  The best year of my life.  Let's reminisce for a second, shall we?  Did you forget what happened after that ill-fated day in Champ-Bana?  Of course, not.  The Big Ten Network wouldn't let you, and, really, how many times have we seen Daniel Murray's "Euphoria" on this site?  Then we got the ultimate preview of this season- though we really didn't know it at the time- against Purdue.  That is, a home game that was waaaaaaaayyyyyyy closer and more nerve-wracking than it really needed to be.  And, ah, the closing of the dome as only the Hawkeyes could do?  Who could forget the month of Smelley Cock jokes?  

Next came the summer of Jewel's in, Jewel's out, and all of the other preseason hand-wringing that we all so eagerly take part in, with only the promise of Kinnick and Melrose on Saturday in September to keep us slogging through the dog days.  

Then... 2 blocked field goals against UNI or we lose?  This season is going to suck.  (As an aside, I have listened to all of the "lucky" stuff, and I have a theory: one blocked field goal is luck, a second from the same spot by the same kicker on the next play is knowing how to play football and using your God-given talent.)  Next we proved without a shadow of a doubt who the class of the HAWKEYE state was.  After taking it to a solid PAC-10 team, we go to Happy Valley, and for the second time in the last calendar year, defeat an undefeated, top 5 Penn St. team.  Then 5 more rather routine, anti-climactic wins (I kid, I kid, just tired of typing and afraid I am letting my fingers run away with my brain.)

So 365 days, 13 wins, and all three rivalry trophies later we are sitting on the precipice of what could be the biggest season in the last 50 years for our beloved Black and Gold.  I can't even begin to understand that, as fun as the last year has been, it could (and I stress COULD) get even better.  I just have to say:

Thank you to the players, coaches, and everyone that has made this past year so enjoyable.  We talk and talk and talk, but, ultimately, it is you who put in the blood, sweat, and tears that allow us to do so.  To the players, specifically, I love you guys.  You are the grittiest bunch of people that have put on the TigerHawk in a long time, and you are (mostly) a joy to watch.

Thank you to the staff and readers at BHGP.  It has been funny, insightful, sometimes aggravating (I get it, we're fucked), but always interesting.

Here's to hoping the next 13 wins come in as rapid succession as the last 13 have.  GO HAWKS!

http://hawkeyesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021209aab.html

It appears Kirk found a program and contract he likes and is sticking with it.  Same money, same bonuses, same school.  This should put rumors to rest about him going to the NFL, at least until Iowa's next 10 win season.  Congrats, coach.  Glad to have you here for 7 more years. Smart move by Bloodpunch.

Damn I need more words.  Crap fart boob poop