MKRob Sports

Iowa solved Georgia Tech’s explosive triple option and Ricky Stanzi threw two touchdown passes last night as the 10th-ranked Hawkeyes posted a 24-14 victory in the coldest Orange Bowl ever.

Temperature at kickoff in Miami’s Land Shark Stadium was 49 degrees, and Tech’s offense was slow to warm up. The ninth-ranked Yellow Jackets averaged 35 points during the regular season, but their only score in the first three quarters came on Jerrard Tarrant’s 40-yard interception return.

“This was Hawkeye weather,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “We feel right at home right now.”

The Hawkeyes (11-2) earned their first Bowl Championship Series win, matched the school record for victories, and could claim their highest final ranking since finishing No. 3 in 1960.

Georgia Tech (11-3) totaled nine first downs and a season-low 155 yards.

End Adrian Clayborn led Iowa’s defensive charge with two sacks and nine tackles.

Stanzi completed 17 of 29 passes for 231 yards. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt went only 2 for 9 for 12 yards for Tech, which had a season-high seven punts.