Rose Bowl Live: Stanford 45, Iowa 16 (Final)

Updates from Iowa's first Rose Bowl in 25 years. (Live Chat)

Final - Stanford 45, Iowa 16

It was quick and it was clean and it was nothing personal. Iowa had a historic season, regular season anyway.

Stanford was cordial all week and said really nice things about the Hawkeyes. Then, before 94,268 fans in the Rose Bowl on Friday afternoon, the Cardinal did nasty, nasty things to the Hawkeyes.

It was over after one play, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey caught a short pass between linebacker Cole Fisher and free safety Jordan Lomax and went 75 breezy hards for a TD 11 seconds into the game.

McCaffrey, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, danced through Iowa like a deer dodging traffic on I-80. He followed up the 75-yarder with a 63-yard punt return touchdown, flashing moves that froze and planted linebacker Josey Jewell and safety Kevin Ward on their backsides. In the first half alone, the sophomore had 98 yards receiving, 87 yards rushing and the 65-yard punt return for 252 all-purpose yards.

It got worse for No. 5 Iowa (12-2). Iowa went three-and-out, and No. 6 Stanford (12-2) went 75 yards on eight plays for a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game. Iowa put together a solid drive and then quarterback C.J. Beathard threw a late out that defensive back Quenton Meeks undercut, picked and returned 66 yards for a 21-0 lead.

Then the punt return, which deserves so much more than this plain sentence. But the final scoring play of the first half was so odd, that it will get more.

Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan faked a fumble and McCaffrey hit the deck pretending to try to recover the fake fumble. Iowa's secondary reacted toward the line of scrimmage. Wide receiver Michael Rector split corners Desmond King and Greg Mabin for a 31-yard TD.

It was over and that was embarrassing. It was a fake fumble. You don't do that unless you feel like master and commander of the game.

Iowa hasn't been that in bowls lately, with Friday's result dropping Iowa 0-for-4 in its last four bowls. This was Iowa's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1991. Any hope for its first Rose Bowl victory since 1959 were blurred early by the brilliant McCaffrey and a defensive front that ate alive an Iowa offensive line that tried a different lineup and then tried several combinations during the game.

None of those combos worked. Nothing worked. The Big Ten championship loss to Michigan State was hard fought. This was a hard lesson in what Iowa's roster is or isn't against an elite.

- Marc Morehouse, The Gazette

Will layoff hurt Iowa's Beathard in Rose Bowl? - ESPN Video

1:54 4th - Stanford 45, Iowa 16

Stanford piles on, Hogan finding Rector for a 42-yard score.

Iowa fans boo the decision to pass, to which ESPN play-by-play man Brent Musberger responds, "Play football. I am so beyond that."

2:46 4th - Stanford 38, Iowa 16

It's coming too late, but Iowa has put up a fight in the second half.

C.J. Beathard tosses his second TD pass, this a 31-yarder to running back Akrum Wadley to cut the lead to 22.

JOSEY JEWELL INTERCEPTS PASS IN END ZONE

Remember in the Big Ten championship when Michigan State picked off Iowa on a deflection that landed on George Kittle's back? 

This one doesn't quite compare, but it's a welcome site for the Iowa defense after being roughed up by Stanford in the first half.

Miles Taylor deflected the pass, and linebacker Josey Jewell came down with the pick with 5:44 to go.

STAN vs. IOWA - ESPN Video

MCCAFFREY SETS ROSE BOWL RECORD

Stanford's Christian McCaffrey sets the Rose Bowl record for all-purpose yards. He's now over 360, making Thorpe Award winner Desmond King whiff on the record-setting run.

"It appears that No. 5 has broken the will of a lot of players on Iowa's D," ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer said. 

13:12 4th - Stanford 38, Iowa 9

Something to cheer about if you're a Hawkeye fan. C.J. Beathard finds Matt VandeBerg for the 36-yard Iowa touchdown.

Marshall Koehn missed the extra point.

STAN vs. IOWA - ESPN Video

That 36-yard TD reception by Matt VandeBerg is the longest of his career. January 2, 2016

That 36-yard TD reception by Matt VandeBerg is the longest of his career. #Hawkeyes

— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes)

END 3RD: STANFORD 38, IOWA 3

3:36 3rd - Stanford 38, Iowa 3

Well, the Hawkeyes won't be shut out.

Iowa finally caught a break midway through the third quarter when a Stanford fourth-down snap went over the punter's head for a turnover on downs at the Cardinal 25.

But on the next play, C.J. Beathard was sacked for the fifth time. Iowa recovered, with Beathard throwing a first-down pass to Jordan Canzeri. But Beathard was sacked again on third down, and Marshall Koehn kicked a 39-yard field goal.

11:09 3rd - Stanford 38, Iowa 0

Only a field goal for Stanford on its first drive of the second half, coming after the defense held Iowa to a 3-and-out.

McCaffrey will get the MVP, and it's not a debate, but Stanford defense has been just as dominant. OK, maybe close to as dominant.January 2, 2016

McCaffrey will get the MVP, and it's not a debate, but Stanford defense has been just as dominant. OK, maybe close to as dominant.

— marcmorehouse (@marcmorehouse)

Conrad Ukropina converts from 31 yards.

HALF: STANFORD 35, IOWA 0

STAN vs. IOWA - ESPN Video

It was all Cardinal in the first 30 minutes, and that's probably putting it lightly.

Out-gained 250-111, the Hawkeyes trail by 35 at halftime. It's the first time Iowa has been held scoreless in the first half this season.

"I really think this is a team that came in with a ton of confidence," ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer said. "Right now, looking at the scoreboard, I don't think they can believe their eyes."

Heisman runner-up Christian McCaffrey scored via reception and punt return, racking up 248 all-purpose yards on just 12 touches.

Stanford coach David Shaw called it just another game for him. "He's probably angry he didn't get another touchdown," Shaw told ESPN on his way off the field.

Quarterback Kevin Hogan scored with his feet and his arm, and the Cardinal D got in the end zone too on a first-quarter interception return.

For Iowa, this is just following the bowl-game pattern of the last few years:

Iowa deficits, last 4 bowls: 2011 Insight-OKLA 21-0 after 3Q 2014 Outback-LSU 14-0, half 2015 TaxSlayer-TENN 28-0 in 2Q 2016 Rose-STAN 35-0January 1, 2016

Iowa deficits, last 4 bowls: 2011 Insight-OKLA 21-0 after 3Q 2014 Outback-LSU 14-0, half 2015 TaxSlayer-TENN 28-0 in 2Q 2016 Rose-STAN 35-0

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo)

Tom Arnold, interviewed in the stadium, just said "We got 'em right where we want 'em." Many Iowa fans cheered.January 1, 2016

Tom Arnold, interviewed in the stadium, just said "We got 'em right where we want 'em." Many Iowa fans cheered.

— Mike Hlas (@Hlas)

8:22 2nd - Stanford 35, Iowa 0

Stanford gets tricky. QB Kevin Hogan fakes a fumble, then throws a perfect 34-yard strike to Michael Rector.

It's a rout.

K. Hogan pass,to M. Rector for 31 yds for a TD, (C. Ukropina KICK) - ESPN Video

14:12 2nd - Stanford 28, Iowa 0

Christian McCaffrey is unreal. 

In case you weren't sure, he really can do everything.

His 63-yard punt return makes it a four-score game early in the second quarter. Already up to 202 all-purpose yards.

My Heisman vote went to Christian McCaffrey. More voters should have agreed with me.January 1, 2016

My Heisman vote went to Christian McCaffrey. More voters should have agreed with me.

— Mike Hlas (@Hlas)

D. Kidd punt for 45 yds,C. McCaffrey returns for 63 yds for a TD - ESPN Video

END 1ST: STANFORD 21, IOWA 0

Deja vu for Hawkeye fans, but on a much bigger stage.

For the second straight year, the Hawkeyes trail their bowl game by 21 after one quarter.

Stanford out-gained Iowa 150-50, led by Christian McCaffrey's 75 yards receiving with a TD and 52 yards rushing on just five carries.

Iowa begins the second quarter with a 3rd and 10 at its own 20, needing a spark in the worst way.

4:07 1st - Stanford 21, Iowa 0

Iowa's offense was finally able to move the ball a bit, picking up a couple first downs.

But then, boom, pick six.

Quenton Meeks intercepts C.J. Beathard and takes it 66 yards to the house.

C. Beathard pass intercepted for a TD,Q. Meeks return for 66 yds for a TD - ESPN Video

Hard to believe, but less than 11 minutes in, this one already feels over.

Iowa fans right now: January 1, 2016

Iowa fans right now: pic.twitter.com/SEabGMojdy

— SB Nation (@SBNation)

LB BEN NIEMANN INJURED

This can't help the Hawkeye defense's chances.

Ankle for Niemann. Iffy return.January 1, 2016

Ankle for Niemann. Iffy return.

— marcmorehouse (@marcmorehouse)

9:13 1st - Stanford 14, Iowa 0

Iowa goes 3-and-out and Stanford makes it look easy.

McCaffrey tore apart the Hawkeye defense to the tune of 53 yards on four carries, then QB Kevin Hogan walked a read-option eight yards into the end zone.

STAN vs. IOWA - ESPN Video

Iowa might be in real trouble here.

It's 14-0 Stanford after that. McCaffrey has 140 total yards in less than 6 minutes and on only six touches.January 1, 2016

It's 14-0 Stanford after that. McCaffrey has 140 total yards in less than 6 minutes and on only six touches.

— marcmorehouse (@marcmorehouse)

14:49 1st - Stanford 7, Iowa 0

That didn't take long. 

We knew Heisman runner-up Christian McCaffrey was dangerous, and he shows it on the first play of the game, taking a pass from Kevin Hogan 75 yards to the house.

K. Hogan pass,to C. McCaffrey for 75 yds for a TD - ESPN Video

Iowa looked to be in a zone. McCaffrey settled between Fisher and Lomax. Everyone else overran.January 1, 2016

Iowa looked to be in a zone. McCaffrey settled between Fisher and Lomax. Everyone else overran.

— marcmorehouse (@marcmorehouse)