Can Big Ten make it two in a row head to head against Pac 12: Wisconsin vs. USC in

San Diego, CA -- The Big Ten and Pac 12 square off in another 2015-16 bowl match up, as the Wisconsin Badgers play the USC Trojans in the Holiday Bowl. The Big Ten is 2-1 in bowls, as ten Big Ten teams play

• Holiday Bowl : USC vs. Wisconsin at 9:30 pm on ESPN 

Big Ten looks to break .500 in the Quick Lane Bowl, as Minnesota faces Central Michigan

The Big Ten Conference opened the 2015-16 bowl season with an OT loss in the Pinstripe Bowl (Duke over Indiana) and a eight point win (Nebraska over UCLA) in the Foster Farms Bowl over the Christmas weekend. Next up: MAC vs. Big Ten, as the Big Ten faces its lone non-Power 5 match up of the bowl season.

The Huskers have appeared in a bowl game in 45 of the last 47 seasons

FOSTER FARMS BOWL: Nebraska 37, UCLA 29 - The Cornhuskers rushed for 326 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 37-29 victory over UCLA Saturday night in the Foster Farms Bowl. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for 174 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball 10 times for 76 yards and another score on the ground in the contest. Recap

Indiana came up short against Duke at Yankee Stadium. IU was playing in only
second bowl, since 1994, with game in Pinstripe Bowl.

NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL: Duke 44, Indiana 41 (OT) - Duke earned a 44-41 overtime victory in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, as Indiana closed out its first bowl game since 2007 and 10th in program history. The back-and-forth game featured nine lead changes and three ties. It also saw numerous offensive records set and six turnovers combined in a game where momentum seemed to be hanging in the balance throughout. Recap

Minnesota looks to get to 6-7, as Nebraska did as one of two Big Ten teams,
with losing records playing in 2015-16 bowls.

• QUICK LANE BOWL: Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7) - kickoff at 4:00 pm on ESPN2 * Big Ten preview

Five things the Golden Gophers would like you to know about the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl from Detroit ...

1. Minnesota will play Central Michigan in the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. Minnesota is 1-0 all-time against Central Michigan, as the Gophers won 30-10 at the Metrodome on Sept. 16, 1987. In that game, Rickie Foggie, Darrell Thompson and Gary Couch rushed for touchdowns and Chip Lohmiller kicked three field goals in the win. The Quick Lane Bowl marks Minnesota's first bowl game appearance in Michigan and is the Gophers first trip to the Great Lake State since it won 30-14 at Michigan on Sept. 27, 2014. 

The Golden Gophers are under first-year coach Tracy Claeys, who replaced Jerry
Kill mid-season, after Kill retired, due to ongoing health concerns.

2. Minnesota, which owns a 5-7 record, earned a bid into the Quick Lane Bowl this year based on the team's high APR mark of 975. The Quick Lane Bowl is the 18th bowl game that Minnesota will play in and is the fourth-straight bowl game for the Gophers. The four straight bowl games is the second longest stretch in team history, as Minnesota played in five straight bowl games spanning the 2002-06 seasons. Minnesota is 6-11 all-time in bowl games but has lost its last seven bowl games (five by four points or less). Minnesota's last win in a bowl game was a 20-16 victory against Alabama in the 2004 Music City Bowl where both Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney rushed for more than 100 yards.

3. Minnesota has played one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year. The Gophers have faced (AP rankings at time of the game) No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 TCU, No. 8 Iowa, No. 15 Michigan and No. 16 Northwestern. Minnesota also played Wisconsin, who ended the season ranked No. 23. The Gophers faced three top-15 teams in Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa in three straight weeks. The last time Minnesota played three straight games against top 15 teams was 2002 when it played No. 6 Ohio State, No. 13 Michigan and No. 6 Iowa. Baylor was the only other team in the regular season to play three straight top-15 opponents, as it played No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 15 TCU.

4. Minnesota was the only Big Ten team to play (rankings at time of game) No. 1 Ohio State, No. 8 Iowa, No. 15 Michigan, No. 16 Northwestern and Wisconsin this year. Those teams have a combined 51-10 record and Minnesota's seven defeats have come to teams (Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern, TCU, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska) with a combined 66-19 record (Nebraska has 7 of 19 losses). If Michigan and Wisconsin win their bowl games then the Gophers would have faced six teams (in addition to Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern and TCU) who won at least 10 games this season.

5. Nine of Minnesota's 12 regular season opponents will play in a bowl game this year. Those nine opponents have a combined record of 81-28 and all won at least seven games. Minnesota posted a home win against Ohio (Bobcats ended season at 8-4) and ended Colorado State's school record nine-game home winning streak (Rams finished the season at 7-5). Minnesota's regular season opponents will play in the Rose Bowl (Iowa), Fiesta Bowl (Ohio State), Outback Bowl (Northwestern), Citrus Bowl (Michigan), Alamo Bowl (TCU), Holiday Bowl (Wisconsin), Foster Farms Bowl (Nebraska), Camellia Bowl (Ohio) and Arizona Bowl (Colorado State).

Indiana and Nebraska kickoff B1G 2015-16 bowl lineup in Pinstripe & Foster Farms bowls on Saturday

The Iowa Hawkeyes will face the Stanford Cardinal on New Year's Day in the
2016 Rose Bowl Game. The Hawkeyes arrived in California on Christmas Eve.
Kirk Ferentz is the Dean of Big Ten coaches, in his 17th season in Iowa City
as head coach and 26th overall. He has coached in two Rose Bowls, as an assistant.

Cedar Rapids, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes have landed in California on Christmas Eve, in preparation for the 2016 Rose Bowl Game with Stanford on Friday. In New York City and San Francisco, respectively, the Big Ten kicks off the 2015-16 bowl season, as the Indiana Hoosiers hit Yankee Stadium to square off with Duke Blue Devils in the Pinstripe Bowl, while the Nebraska Cornhuskers face the UCLA Bruins in the Foster Farms Bowl.

The 2015-16 B1G bowl slate kicks off today, with games played by Indiana
and Nebraska, respectively.

Indiana faces Duke in the 2015 Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium

Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, though not usual opponents, revealed that they've long admired one another from afar. Indiana finished 6-6 (2-6 B1G East) on the regular season, while Duke finished 7-5 (4-4 ACC Coastal), as the two programs will square off in the 2015 Pinstripe Bowl from Yankee Stadium.

The Indiana Hoosiers (6-6) playing in first bowl game, since the 2007 season.

Their coaching trajectory at their current schools are actually quite similar.

Pinstripe Bowl trophy
on the line in Yankee
Stadium today.

After being hired in 2008, Cutcliffe won 15 games over his four seasons in Durham. By comparison, Wilson won 14 in his first four years in Bloomington.

But in their fifth seasons, each broke through.

Duke won six games in Cutcliffe's fifth year in 2012, sparking a streak of four consecutive bowl appearances. Indiana won six games this season, Wilson's fifth, and is looking to follow Duke's path.

"Coach Cutcliffe doesn't know this, but we've looked at Duke for a long time," Wilson said. "We actually appreciated his spring game being on ESPN3 because we watched it with our team, and watched the practice organization and the way the managers are working—the whole organization."

But while Wilson's program was studying Duke's trajectory, the Blue Devils were keeping an eye on Indiana themselves. Wilson's offenses have long been regarded as some of the best in the nation, and Cutcliffe has taken notice.

Duke coach David Cutcliff and IU coach Kevin Wilson ahead of 2015 Pinstripe
Bowl in Yankee Stadium. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC.

Cutcliffe called Wilson an example for offensive-minded coaches around the nation to study. Under Wilson's guidance, the Hoosiers have seen steady growth and set nearly 50 school records along the way.

"I have watched Kevin coach for a long time. Offensively, I don't know anybody better," Cutcliffe said, turning to Wilson. "I have tried to steal a lot of what you do."

Cutcliffe will likely have a hard time pulling any of Wilson's own tricks against him when they meet on the field at Yankee Stadium. The two have become very familiar with one another over the years.

Today's Pinstripe Bowl will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC.

"We've got one of the outstanding leaders in college athletics and one of the tremendous coaches in Kevin Wilson here," Duke Athletic Director Kevin White said. "The job he's done at
Indiana is being widely talked about in college athletics. It's just amazing what he's accomplished."

The respect goes both ways. 

By the way, White was Maine's AD, when he hired then Iowa offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz to his first head coaching position, back after the 1989 season. White began his career in coaching administration at Loras College in Dubuque, IA.

Indiana senior QB #7 Nate Sudfeld was named a third team all-Big Ten QB,
behind MSU senior Connor Cook and Iowa junior C.J. Beathard.

"In previous years, Coach Wilson would show us a lot of articles or write-ups about the Duke program," Indiana senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. "We have a tremendous amount of respect for them and how Coach Cutcliffe has really stuck with his process…We've drawn a lot from that program."

Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6) in the Pinstripe Bowl on ABC.

Both teams played one common opponent in 2015. Indiana beat Wake Forest 31-24 on the road ahead of the Big Ten season, while Duke closed out ACC play with a 27-21 win @ Wake. Duke was 0-1 vs. Big Ten opponents, after losing 19-10 against Northwestern at home in Week 3.

Indiana is playing in its tenth bowl game and brings in a 3-6 record. The Hoosiers are 0-2 against current ACC programs in bowl games. Duke is 3-8 in bowl games. The Blue Devils lost in 1995 to Wisconsin 34-20 in the Hall of Fame Bowl. The Blue Devils beat Nebraska 34-7 during the 1954 season, when the Cornhuskers were in the Big 8.

OUR PICK: Duke over IU in the Pinstripe Bowl ...

Nebraska faces UCLA for third game in four seasons in Foster Farms Bowl

The Nebraska football team held its first of four bowl practices in the Bay Area on Tuesday morning, working out for nearly two hours in half pads at Laney College in Oakland.

Big Ten vs. Pac 12: Nebraska vs. UCLA in Fosters Farm Bowl from Stanford Stadium/

The Huskers arrived in San Francisco on Monday evening and were eager to begin game-week preparations for Saturday’s Foster Farms Bowl matchup with UCLA. Nebraska defensive Coordinator Mark Banker met with the media following practice and said the Bruins’ ability to survey the field pre-snap and identify match-ups will pose the biggest challenge for his defense.

“That’s the offense,” Banker said regarding UCLA’s penchant for finding favorable matchups. “The quarterback has that responsibility from a run or a pass standpoint at the line of scrimmage. As the game progresses, what they’ll do is you’ll see them stop the cadence and look to the sideline so that somebody up above that’s seeing the configuration can then get them in the right call.”

Banker was asked if the Huskers have seen a similar offense to UCLA this season, and said the Bruins’ offensive attack is similar to that of Northwestern, with one big difference.

“In our conference, Northwestern,” Banker said, referring to the Wildcats’ strategy of calling plays at the line based on the defensive alignment. “The difference between Northwestern and UCLA, UCLA’s speed is by far much, much better.”

Nebraska true freshman DB #24 Aaron Williams ahead of the 2015 season.

To stop the Bruins’ high-powered offensive attack, Banker said his defense will need to make the right calls at all times and will need to make plays. One Husker defender that could play a key role on Saturday is freshman Aaron Williams, who the coaches have chosen to be Nebraska’s nickel back against the Bruins.

When asked how Williams was adjusting to his new role, Banker said “I hope it’s real well. He’s a football player. He’s done well for us this year as a true freshman.”

Following the Huskers’ practice on Monday morning, Nebraska head coach Mike Riley, UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. and selected players from both teams took part in a Foster Farms Bowl press conference. The Huskers practiced again on Wednesday morning before practicing for a third time on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, Nebraska did a walk-through practice at Stanford.

Mora is in his fourth season at the helm for UCLA, as the seniors seek to go out with a bowl win. Mora lost to Riley's Oregon State team, during his debut Pac 12 game in 2012.

The 2015 Foster Farms Bowl is set for an 8:15 p.m. CST kickoff on Saturday on ESPN. The Huskers are 5-7 in Riley's debut season, while the Bruins head into the match-up with an 8-4 record on the regular season.

Nebraska is 0-2 against UCLA, during a head to head meetings
during the regular season in 2012 and 2013.

OUR PICK: UCLA over UNL ... in the Foster Farms Bowl ...

Michigan State, Iowa and eight other Big Ten teams heading to Bowl Games in 2015-16

Michigan State represents the Big Ten in the Cotton Bowl, as one part of the
National CFP semi-finals. Iowa and Ohio State are headed to College Football
Playoff  bowls, as well, with dates in the Rose and Fiesta, respectively. 

IOWA CITY, IA -- Following its 16-13 win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, Michigan State has reached the College Football Playoff, while the Hawkeyes are headed to its first Rose Bowl Game in 25 years. Eight other Big Ten teams are headed to bowl games, including two 5-7 programs, due to open bowl slots in 2015-16.

In the final 27 seconds in Indianapolis, Michigan State knocked off Iowa,
16-13, to move into the Top 4 for the College Football Playoffs.

The Spartans (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten) were named the third seed in the four-team playoff and will play second-seeded and SEC Champion Alabama (12-1, 7-1 SEC) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Thursday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (time 7 p.m. CST; TV: ESPN).

No. 1 seed Clemson (13-0) will face No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1) in the Capital One Orange Bowl, also on Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. CST.

The 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is set for Jan. 11 in Glendale, Arizona, at University of Phoenix Stadium. Ohio State won last year's National Championship in North Dallas, over Oregon 42-20 to finish 14-1.

The 2015 Iowa team captains heading out for the coin toss during the Big Ten
Championship Game with Michigan State on Saturday night in Indianapolis.

The University of Iowa has accepted an invitation to participate in the 102nd Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California. The Rose Bowl is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. (CST), on Friday, Jan. 1. The game will be televised by ESPN from the Rose Bowl (89,105). Fifth-ranked Iowa meet, Pac-12 champion and sixth-ranked Stanford (11-2).

For the first time, Iowa and Stanford will meet in a football game, as each
accepted bowl bids the Rose Bowl Game, a tradition between the Big Ten
vs. the Pac 12. The Hawkeyes haven't been in Pasadena in 25 years, while
the Cardinal are playing in its third Rose Bowl in four years.

The Hawkeyes are making their sixth appearance in the Rose Bowl, but their first appearance in Pasadena since 1991. The Hawkeyes are 2-3 in past Rose Bowl contests with their last victory coming in 1959 against California. Iowa has posted a 14-13-1 record in 28 previous bowl appearances.

Iowa won the Big Ten Conference West Division with a record of 12-1, including 8-0 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes' only loss came against No. 3 Michigan State (16-13) in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Stanford is lead by Heisman Trophy finalist senior AP offensive performer  #5
running back Christian McCaffery for the Cardinal coach David Shaw. 

This will be the first ever meeting between Iowa and Stanford. The Hawkeyes are 28-36-1 all-time against current teams in the Pac-12.

Iowa ranks third among Big Ten teams in bowl appearances and is bowl eligible for the 13th time under coach head Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has posted a 6-5 bowl record under Ferentz, including wins in four of seven January bowl games. Since the 2001 season, no Big Ten team has won more bowl games, or has a higher winning percentage in bowl games, than Iowa.

The Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC lead the Power 5 conferences will bowl bids,
as the 2015-16 bowl season kicks off on Saturday, December 19th. The Big Ten
will get started after Christmas, on the 26th, when the Pinstripe Bowl is played.

Bowl matchups for the 2015-16 Bowl season.

Big Ten Matches Conference Record with 10 Bowl Teams

For the second straight year and just the third time in conference history, 10 Big Ten schools were selected for bowl competition on Sunday, including three teams earning berths in College Football Playoff bowls. The Big Ten’s total of 10 bowl teams equals the conference record for most bowl berths in a season, matching the 10 postseason teams following the 2011 and 2014 campaigns.

The Michigan State Spartans won its second Big Ten Championship game in
three seasons, with a 16-13 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Spartans have
played in three of the first five Big Ten Championship Games.

Big Ten Champion Michigan State earned a berth in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Iowa and Ohio State also will take part in College Football Playoff bowls, with the Hawkeyes heading to the Rose Bowl Game and the Buckeyes earning a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. In addition, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin collected bids as part of the largest and most diverse postseason lineup in conference history.

Two Big Ten centers are among the three finalists for the Remington Trophy,
as Iowa senior C #63 Austin Blythe and MSU senior C #66 Jack Allen were named.

Iowa returns to the Rose Bowl Game for the first time since a match-up with Washington to conclude the 1990 season. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 5 by the College Football Playoff selection committee and will face No. 6 Stanford on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. This will mark the sixth appearance for the Hawkeyes in Pasadena and 68th by a Big Ten squad. The Hawkeyes will be taking part in postseason play for the 29th time.

#8 Notre Dame (10-2) against #7 Ohio State (11-1) in the Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State will be back in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time since the 2008 season. The Buckeyes (11-1) were ranked No. 7 and will take on No. 8 Notre Dame (10-2) at Noon p.m. CST on Jan. 1 in Glendale, Ariz., a rematch of the 2006 Fiesta Bowl won by the Buckeyes. This will mark the seventh appearance for Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl and the ninth appearance by a Big Ten team. The Buckeyes will make their 46th official postseason appearance.

Rematch of the 2007 season, as Michigan and Florida square off in Orlando.
Michigan won the last game, 41-35, over the Gators. It was Michigan coach
Lloyd Carr's final game. This game matches teams with new head coaches.

No. 14 Michigan (9-3) will take part in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Noon CST on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla., against No. 19 Florida (10-3). The game will mark the Wolverines’ 44th bowl trip overall and fifth appearance in the Citrus Bowl, the Big Ten’s second-oldest current bowl partner behind only the Rose Bowl Game. Michigan last played in the Citrus Bowl at the conclusion of the 2007 season and defeated the Gators, 41-35. Big Ten teams have played in 25 Citrus Bowls, including each of the last 23 seasons.

#23 Tennessee (8-4) vs. Northwestern (10-2) in the Outback Bowl. The Volunteers
won the TaxSlayer Bowl last season over Iowa. The Wildcats are bowling for
the first time in three seasons, coming off back to back 5-7 seasons, under Pat
Fitzgerald, in his 10th season.

No. 13 Northwestern (10-2) will play in the Outback Bowl for the second time in school history and the first time since the 2009 season. The Wildcats will face No. 23 Tennessee (8-4) at 11 am CST on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla. Northwestern will be taking part in a bowl game for the 12th time in program history. The Outback Bowl is the Big Ten’s third-oldest current bowl partner and has been affiliated with the conference since the 1993 season. Big Ten schools have played in 26 Outback Bowls, including each of the last 22 seasons.

#25 USC (8-5) vs. Wisconsin (9-3) will meet in the Holiday Bowl.

Wisconsin (9-3) earned an invitation from the Holiday Bowl to face No. 25 Southern California (8-5) at 9:30 p.m. CST on Dec. 30 in San Diego, Calif. The Badgers are taking part in postseason play for a school-record 14th straight season and are making their 27th bowl appearance. Wisconsin will make its first trip to the Holiday Bowl, which will mark the 11th appearance by a Big Ten team.

Penn State (7-5) vs. Georgia (9-3) meet in the TaxSlayer Bowl.

Penn State will take part in the in the TaxSlayer Bowl at Noon ET on Jan. 2 against Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla. The Nittany Lions will be making their 46th appearance in postseason play and fifth in the TaxSlayer Bowl, with the most recent visit taking place at the conclusion of the 1976 season in what was then known as the Gator Bowl.

Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6) in the Pinstripe Bowl to kickoff the 2015-168
bowl season for the Big Ten Conference on December 26th. It is the first
bowl game, since 2007.

Indiana (6-6) will make the Big Ten’s second appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 26 against Duke (7-5) at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y. The Hoosiers are making their first postseason trip since the 2007 season and 10th overall. Penn State was victorious in the conference’s first Pinstripe Bowl appearance last season.

Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4) as the programs meet for the third time in
four seasons, but this one is in a bowl game, as two meet in the Foster Farms
Bowl. Mike Riley was 6-2 in bowl games for Oregon State, so it will be interesting.

Nebraska (5-7) will face UCLA (8-4) in the Foster Farms Bowl, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. CST on Dec. 26 in Santa Clara, Calif. Nebraska will make its first appearance in the Foster Farms Bowl, its 52nd bowl appearance overall and will play in a ninth straight postseason game. The contest will mark the fourth time that a current Big Ten team will play in the Foster Farms Bowl, including a 2007 appearance by Maryland in what was then called the Emerald Bowl.

Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7) in the Quick Lane Bowl,
as the MAC meets the Big Ten in Detroit.

Minnesota (5-7) earned a berth to face Central Michigan (7-5) in the second annual Quick Lane Bowl at 4 p.m. CST on Dec. 28 in Detroit, Mich. The Gophers will be making their 18th postseason appearance and fourth straight bowl trip. Rutgers earned a victory over North Carolina in the inaugural Quick Lane Bowl last season.

Four Big Ten programs will be home for the Holidays, not reaching bowl games

Illinois named Bill Cubit its coach, after carrying the interim tag most of the
2015 season. Cubit, who was a former head coach in the MAC, was given
a two year contract to lead the Fighting Illini. Illinois bowled in 2014.

• Illinois (5-7) didn't get selected for one of the remaining bowl slots. The Fighting Illini open the 2016 season with Murray State on Saturday, September 3rd.

Purdue hired Darrell Hazell in December 2012 and over three seasons, the
Boilermakers are 1-11, 3-9 and 2-10. There is plenty of work here with only
two Big Ten wins over the past three seasons. Purdue bowled in 2012.

• Purdue (2-10) - The Boilermakers only B1G win was 55-45 against Nebraska in 2015.

Maryland hired Michigan DC D.J. Durkin its newest coach, after firing
Randy Edsall ahead of its bye week. The Terrapins saw its two straight bowl
streak end in 2015. Durkin was a DC previously at Florida, as well.

• Maryland (3-9) - The Terrapins elected to hire a defensive coach, after suggesting they may go with an offensive minded coach, after the firing of Randy Edsall. They have suggested a spread offense will be employed under new coach D.J. Durkin.

After a 4-8 season and plenty of off the field issues, including a three game
suspension of coach Kyle Flood, Rutgers fired Flood and replaced him with
an Iowa native, Drake graduate, Chirs Ash. Ash was a DC at Wisconsin and
Ohio State, most recently. Rutgers last bowled in 2014.

• Rutgers (4-8) - The Scarlet Knights have named Iowa native and Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash its new head coach.

Iowa fans interested in purchasing tickets to the Rose Bowl Game are encouraged to make their request through the UI Athletics Ticket Office. By doing so, fans of the Hawkeyes will help the UI Athletics Department meet its obligation to the bowl game by selling the full allotment of tickets it assumes responsibility for as a participant.

Ticket prices range from $150-$185 with Iowa's ticket allocation located in sections 11-18. A benefit of purchasing bowl game tickets through the UI Athletics Ticket Office is a seat location inside the Rose Bowl among Hawkeye fans.

The UI Athletics Ticket Office will limit orders for game tickets to eight for Kinnick Gold & Kinnick Society; six for Champion Hawks; four for Golden & Silver Hawks; and two for remaining I-Club members, and season ticket holders. UI student season ticket holders may order one ticket and request to be seated with up to eight other students. Fans who are not I-Club or season ticket holders may go online and request to be placed on a waiting list.

The UI Athletics Ticket Office will assign seat location based on ticket orders received by the priority deadline of 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 10. The UI Athletics Ticket Office will continue to accept orders for tickets beyond the priority deadline as long as it has ticket inventory available. The UI Athletics Ticket Office will notify fans of their order status by Monday, Dec. 14, at noon CT.

As always, the UI Association will offer an official tour for friends of the UI and fans of the Hawkeyes looking for a turn-key travel solution.

For more information on the Rose Bowl Game visit: www,tournamentofroses.com.

#5 Michigan State defeats #4 Iowa to clinch a birth in the College Football Playoff in the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game

It was a hard hitting game on both sides, but Michigan State senior WR #16
Aaron Burbridge took over the game on a final 22 play, 82-yard, 9:09 drive.

Indianapolis, IN -- Iowa (12-1, 8-0) fell to Michigan State (12-1, 7-1), 16-13, Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium at the 2015 Big Ten Championship game in the closing seconds of the game. The loss was Iowa's first this season and snapped a 12-game win streak. when Michigan State RB L.J. Scott scored on a third down play of a goal line stand, with 27 seconds remaining.

Iowa redshirt DE freshman #40 Parker Hesse pressuring MSU senior QB #18
Connor Cook in another tight, low scoring ball game between the schools.

The game set a Big Ten Championship game attendance record of 66,985. The Hawkeyes-Spartans game was the fifth Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Spartans played in three of the first five games, winning two of three games.

MSU freshman RB #3 LJ Scott dives in for a touchdown during final half minute of
the fourth quarter of the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the
Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil. Scott was a huge part of the final drive for the Spartans.

Michigan State scored a one-yard rushing touchdown with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It capped a 22 play, 82-yard, 9:09 drive. The final drive was similar to the final drive of the 2009 Iowa-Michigan State game, where the Hawkeyes scored on a final fourth down play to win in East Lansing, 15-13. The length of the drive Saturday was one of the most defining drives in Big Ten history. Both games were extreme defensive games, with each team getting touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Iowa senior WR #4 Tevaun Smith provided the Hawkeyes with a touchdown
reception on the opening play of the fourth quarter on a 85 yard bomb from
C.J. Beathard. It was the longest play of the season for the Hawkeyes' offense.

Iowa trailed in the fourth quarter for the first time this season, 9-6, but regained the lead 11 seconds into the fourth quarter on an 85-yard touchdown pass from junior QB C.J. Beathard to senior WR Tevaun Smith.

Iowa junior QB C.J. Beathard has lead Iowa to a 13-1 mark, as a starting QB,
dating back to one start in the B1G season opener, last year.

Iowa led 6-3 at the half. It was the lowest points scored by either team in the first half this season. The Hawkeyes have led at half in 12 of 13 games (Iowa State).

The Hawkeyes ran just 16 plays in the second half. Michigan State ran 52 plays. 

MSU sophomore DT #4 Malik McDowell signals possession during the first quarter
against  the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas
Oil Stadium. After a reception by Iowa TE Henry Krieger Coble, the Hawkeyes fumbled.

Michigan State scored a field goal on its opening possession. It marked the first time Iowa trailed at any point in the game since Nov. 7 at Indiana. It was only the third time this season Iowa allowed points on its opponent's opening possession (three field goals). Iowa fumbled the football on its first series against Michigan State.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
	3	0	6	7	16
	3	3	0	7	13

Stat Comparisons
First Downs	20	13
Rushing Attempts-Yards	46-174	24-52
Passing Yards	191	216
Passing (Comp.-Att.-Int.)	16-33-1	18-27-1
Total Offense	79-365	51-268
Punts-Avg.	4-40.8	5-35.6
Fumbles-Lost	0-0	3-2
Penalties-Yds	8-80	5-45
Time of Possession	36:38	23:22
3rd-Down Conversions	10-of-20	3-of-12
4th-Down Conversions	1-of-1	0-of-0

Iowa Statistical Leaders
Passing	Comp.	Att.	Yds.	TD
C.J. Beathard	18	26	216	1
Rushing	Carries	Yds.	Avg.	TD
Derrick Mitchell, Jr.	4	14	6.0	0
Receiving	Rec.	Yds.	Avg.	TD
Tevaun Smith	5	110	22.0	1
Defense	Solo-Assists	TOTAL	Sacks	Int.
Jordan Lomax	7-3	10	0	0

Michigan State Statistical Leaders
Passing	Comp.	Att.	Yds.	TD
Connor Cook	16	32	191	0
Rushing	Carries	Yds.	Avg.	TD
L.J. Scott	22	73	3.3	1
Receiving	Rec.	Yds.	Avg.	TD
Aaron Burbridge	5	61	12.2	0
Defense	Solo-Assists	TOTAL	Sacks	INT.
Drew Harris	4-5	9	0	0

Both teams scored three points in the first quarter, both off turnovers. The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 71-23 in the first quarter.

Michigan State senior QB #18 Connor Cook was challenged by the hard hitting
Hawkeyes and solid defensive play in the secondary. However, after one huge
successful reception for a first down, he leaned on the running game at the end.

Michigan State intercepted Iowa in the end zone in the second quarter. It was Iowa's first interception in 155 pass attempts.

The win by Michigan State was the first back to back wins over Iowa, since 1977 and 1978, in the final two years of coach Bob Commings, Jr. at Iowa. Michigan State beat Iowa in 2013 in Iowa City, 26-14. As mentioned, the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday resembled the 2009 game in many aspects, but the Spartans were the victors this go around.

Hawkeye Individual Highlights

The Iowa offense found themselves on the sidelines for most of the 2nd half.

Hawkeye QB C.J. Beathard lost for the first time in 14 career starts. He was the only quarterback in school history to win his first 13 career starts.

QB C.J. Beathard's 85-yard touchdown pass to WR Tevaun Smith was Iowa's longest play from scrimmage this season. The touchdown came on Iowa's second play of the drive, the first play of the fourth quarter. It is Iowa's eighth touchdown drive of two plays or fewer this season.

Iowa senior WR #4 Tevaun Smith found the early going very challenging against the Spartans.

WR Tevaun Smith caught five passes for 110 yards. It is he is second 100-yard receiving game of the season (North Texas, 115). Smith has 1,483 career receiving yards, 19th all-time.

Iowa sophomore MLB #43 Josey Jewell tackling MSU junior TE #11 Jamal
Lyles in the first quarter. Jewell's interception lead to Iowa's early FG.

Sophomore MLB Josey Jewell recorded an interception on Michigan State's second possession. It was his third interception of the season, and Iowa's 18th. Iowa kicked a field goal following the interception.

Senior punter #16 Dillon Kidd, holding senior PK #1 Marshall
Koehn on one of his first half field goals against MSU.

Senior PK Marshall Koehn scored seven points today to move into a tie for 13th place (David Hudson) on Iowa's all-time scoring list (166 points). Koehn kicked field goals of 24, 43 yards. He is 8-of-10 on field goal attempts 40-yards or longer.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz fell to 7-7 against MSU over his 17 seasons, with the loss.

Iowa redshirt freshman LB Aaron Mends and sophomore LB Bo Bower were credited with a second quarter sack that forced Michigan State to attempt a 52-yard field goal (missed wide left). It was Mends' first career sack.

Iowa junior WR #89 Matt VandeBerg was held in check on Saturday against
Michigan State. He did go over the 60+ reception mark though for the season.

Iowa junior WR Matt VandeBerg had two receptions for 14 yards. He has 61 receptions for 639 yards this season, both career highs. He is the 41st player in program history with 600 yards receiving in a single season. Of those 41, only nine had 60 or more receptions.

Michigan State elected to defer against Iowa

Mark Dantonio is now 4-4 against Iowa, in his ninth season at Michigan State.

Michigan State won the toss and deferred to the second half. Iowa received the opening kickoff for the 10th time this season. In 17 seasons as Iowa's head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff in 172-of-213 games (104-68). Iowa has started the game on defense in 41-of-213 games under Ferentz (23-18).