A man in full

TEMPE, Ariz., -- Tears streamed down Norm Parker's cheeks as he wheeled off the field Tuesday night.

If Iowa's 69-year-old defensive coordinator never made it to the Insight Bowl, everyone would've understood.

In September, he lost his right foot due to diabetic complications. He spent half of October in the hospital rehabbing and getting used to a prosthetic. He wheeled around practices here in a golf cart, his players gathering around whenever he had something to say.

Everyone would've understood if he would've sat this one out. But here he was, tears down his cheek and, probably, a little chewing tabacco on his chin.

"What a great guy he is, what a great contribution he's made over the 12 years," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in the postgame. "Everybody talks tough year for our team. Tough year for him."

Tough game he called against Missouri and strong-armed quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Yes, Gabbert put it astronomical numbers. He completed 41 of 57 for 434 yards, all Missouri bowl records. He threw one TD and was intercepted twice, including Iowa cornerback Micah Hyde's interception and 72-yard return for the winning points in the fourth quarter.

Iowa allowed a ton of yards, but not a ton of points. That's how Parker has called it for his 12 seasons as Iowa's defensive coordinator.

He pressed a million buttons in this game, too.

Iowa ran nickel and dime packages. It changed from its regular 4-3 to a 3-4 on a few third downs. Freshman Anthony Hitchens was in on dime defense. He was a true freshman seeing his first snaps on defense.

Junior Jordan Bernstine came off pretty much a month off because of a knee injury and was an extra defensive back. After senior free safety Brett Greenwood left with a neck injury in the second half, true freshman Tanner Miller replaced him.

Iowa also stunted on several snaps to pressure Gabbert. On Hyde's interception, defensive end Adrian Clayborn was closing in.

The Hawkeyes rolled a ton of coverages, playing more man-to-man Tuesday night than maybe they have all season.

Oh, and the defense got the winning points on cornerback Micah Hyde's 72-yard interception return for a TD in the fourth quarter.

"He has kept a positive attitude," Ferentz said. "He's done everything in his power to be with us and fortunately this month played out where he is a lot more involved.

"It was great to have him back with us, back in the headphones and back involved. Just great to have him back in the office."

Ferentz also pointed out the contributions of Iowa's other defensive staff members -- linebackers coach Darrell Wilson, defensive backs coach Phil Parker and defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski.

Norm Parker held a pregame meeting with the defensive players. There was some emotion.

"Norm was really emotional before the game and it was so great to have him," said linebacker Jeff Tarpinian, who returned to full health and missing a ton of playing time with a neck/shoulder stinger. "In the pregame speech, you could just tell how much he cares.

"We do truly care about him and everything he has to say. It meant a lot to us to see his motivation in that speech."

Tarpinian thinks Parker will be back next season. Parker said earlier this week he plans to be back.

"I don't think he's going anywhere," Tarpinian said. "He loves it. He loves Hawkeye defense. He loves being here. I know the type of guy he is and he'll be staying around."

Of course, his health has to cooperate.

"We're hardly out of the woods yet, but we'll take it a day at a time, a week at a time," Ferentz said. ". . . You are better with your great player with you, and Norm is certainly one of our bell-cow guys."