Proof the Orange Bowl loves the Hawkeyes

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz was greeted by Orange Bowl football committee member Larry Gautier like a long-lost relative Saturday afternoon after the Hawkeyes' 12-0 win over Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium.

Gautier likes Ferentz and the Hawkeyes. Seven seasons ago, he was the bowl's team host of the Hawkeyes, handling transportation, meals, you name it for the team. He made it clear that the mass quantities of Iowa fans to Miami-Fort Lauderdale for that year's game made a lasting impression.

Will the Orange Bowl pick Iowa for its game if it gets the chance. Gautier has been to too many of these dances to say that. But he sure wouldn't rule it out, saying the Hawkeye fans' turnout for the Jan. 2, 2003 Orange Bowl is "very important, very important. There's a positive track record."