On a beautiful Tampa afternoon in front of a crowd of 55,117, the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 31-10 in the 2009 Outback Bowl. Check out game day photos in our Photo Gallery and the VISIT FLORIDA Bowl Experience.

Iowa Post-Game Comments | Iowa Notes
South Carolina Post-Game Comments | Gamecock Notes

Iowa and South Carolina players joined their fans on Clearwater Beach Tuesday afternoon. Both schools’ cheerleaders and marching bands performed right on the beach and the cheerleaders competed in a tug-of-war contest. There were also skydivers and a pie eating contest. Follow the teams each day as they take part in Outback Bowl week activities.

Both teams participated in the DeBartolo Team Luncheon on Monday then after practice they enjoyed some fun and games at GameWorks in historic Ybor City. The Hawkeyes and Gamecocks were treated to burgers and pizza before mingling with fans. Check out what the teams have been up to in our bowl week photo gallery.

Read what players from both teams had to say about the upcoming Outback Bowl tilt here.

Both teams joined their fans at Busch Gardens Sunday for an up-close look at wild animals and some wild rides as well. The theme park has some of the best and largest roller coasters in the world mixed with amazing animal exhibits. Follow the teams each day as they take part in Outback Bowl week activities and check out our bowl week photo gallery.

Read what coaches Steve Spurrier and Kirk Ferentz had to say about their team preparations for the Outback Bowl, the opposition, and their Tampa experience here.

Players from the South Carolina Gamecocks football team in town for the Outback Bowl visited children at St Joseph Children’s Hospital today to bring them a little cheer for the holidays.

QB Stephen Garcia, LB Marvin Sapp, P Spencer Lanning, FB Patrick DiMarco, SS Dion Lucorin and TB Brian Maddox distributed posters, pennants, hats and visors, and signed autographs for about fifty children throughout the hospital. Follow the teams each day throughout the week in our photo gallery.

Iowa and South Carolina players and official parties were treated to a special welcome dinner by Outback Steakhouse Friday night. The teams devoured more than 5,500lbs of food including 750 lbs of steak, 750lbs chicken and 900 lbs of ribs. Gifts were presented to the coaches, Athletic Directors and their spouses. Read the full story. Follow the teams each day throughout the week in our photo gallery.

Now you can share your personal bowl experience with other fans by uploading your own photos to the Outback Bowl Web Site and the Visit Florida web site. You can also check out the Bowls photo gallery section to see pictures each day from all the Bowl events leading up to the game. Follow along as we shadow the teams and fans throughout the week to give you an inside look. It's the next best thing to being here.

The University of Iowa and the University of South Carolina arrive in Tampa this week to prepare for the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. The No. 26 Hawkeyes will face the Gamecocks for the first time in history. In between they'll experience a fun-filled week of activities.

Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster outlets throughout Florida, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Read the full story.

University of Iowa running back Shonn Greene received the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation's best running back, Thursday night at the ESPNU College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Greene rushed for a school-record 1,729 yards on 278 carries with 17 touchdowns. The only running back in the nation to rush for more than 100 yards in all 12 games, Greene ranks second in the country in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (144.08).

He was named first team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, Big Ten Conference most valuable player by the Chicago Tribune and the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Greene and his Hawkeye teammates will face South Carolina in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. Read the full story.

University of South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood and tight end Jared Cook were named first-team All-SEC by the league's 12 coaches. Gamecock linebacker Jasper Brinkley and safety Emanuel Cook earned second team honors.

Norwood, a 6-1, 253-pound junior from Acworth, Ga., was also named to the Associated Press first-team All-SEC squad. He made the conversion from defensive end to linebacker this season. He is second on the team with 66 tackles, while leading the team with 9.0 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He is tied for the SEC lead in sacks and is fourth in tackles for loss.

Jared Cook, a 6-5, 240-pound junior from Suwanee, Ga., was a semifinalist for the Mackey Award, which goes to the nation's top tight end. Cook is second on the team with 35 receptions and 550 receiving yards while leading the team with a 15.7 yard per reception average.

The best place to find hotels in the Tampa Bay area is right here on our web site. Go to the Where to Sleep page for a listing of the bowls hotel partners, as well as, links to their sites so you can book your rooms.

We have them broken down by location so you can choose a property downtown, near the stadium or on the beaches. You can also click on one of the visitor bureau banners on this page. Then check out our Where to Go page for a list of things to do while you are here.

Visitors in town for the Outback Bowl will find plenty of fun activities throughout the week leading up to the bowl game. Check out our Official Bowl Calendar of Events page for a complete listing. There's also plenty of other fun things to do and see at our Where to Go page.