TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Iowa has not experienced much sunshine in the Sunshine State.
The 12th-ranked Hawkeyes try to win a game in the state for the first time in school history when they face No. 17 Florida in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day.
Iowa (9-3) earned a berth in the Bowl Championship Series last season after sharing the Big Ten Conference title with eventual national champion Ohio State but suffered a 38-17 loss to Southern California in the Orange Bowl.
The defeat dropped the Hawkeyes to 0-5 all-time in Florida. Iowa lost regular season games at Miami in 1950, 1666 and 1990 and a 14-6 decision to Florida in the 1983 Gator Bowl in the only previous meeting between the teams.
Iowa was expected to be in somewhat of a rebuilding mode after losing Heisman Trophy runner-up Brad Banks and four members of its offensive line to the NFL, but coach Kirk Ferentz coaxed nine wins out of the Hawkeyes.
Florida coach Ron Zook also did a solid job turning around the Gators this season and possibly saving his job. The target of considerable criticism in his first two years as Steve Spurrier's successor, Zook appeared to be on shaky ground after Florida got off to a 3-3 start.
But Florida (8-4) reeled off five straight wins, including three consecutive victories over top-25 teams, to earn its 13th straight bowl appearance, extending a school record. The Gators will be playing in their 11th straight January bowl, which is a Southeastern Conference record. Florida did suffer a last-minute 38-34 loss to Florida State in its regular-season finale.
Nathan Chandler completed 152-of-282 passes for 1,870 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as Banks' successor. Fred Russell ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing, running for 1,205 yards and six TDs on 261 carries. The lead blocker is tackle Robert Gallery, the Outland Trophy winner.
The Hawkeyes also got strong play from their special teams, which accounted for three TDs.
Florida's turnaround can be traced to the maturity of quarterback Chris Leak, who set school freshman records for touchdowns (14) and passing yards (2,167). Leak posted a 6-2 record, leading the Gators to consecutive wins over Lousiana State, Arkansas and Georgia, who were all ranked in the top 25.
Florida also relied on its opportunistic defense which forced 32 turnovers, including 20 interceptions. The Gators are 16th in the country in turnover margin at plus-8.
Iowa is making its third bowl appearance under Ferentz, splitting the previous two.
