Marathoning, raw oysters, Frida Kahlo – and college football.  Agreed, all seemingly unrelated…but what a FUN start to 2017!

Lazy morning, 2 ½ mile bridge run (‘cause every day’s a run day), beach & breakfast.  That was my day before noon, quick shower & a change of clothes kicked off Jan 2^nd Part 2.

Been to a few college football games – but never a Bowl game.  New Year, new adventure.  Purchased tickets late last Fall – while prices were reasonable, but still only Big Ten vs SEC…no idea which teams would finish strong & represent post-season.

Hotel check-out, hour drive to Tampa: today’s Outback Bowl played at Raymond James Stadium, NFL home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Haven’t been to a pro game YET, but this already my 6^th stadium (Denver, Indianapolis, Seattle, Baltimore & Carolina)…lotta sightseeing marathoning the USA.

Mid-80’s, high beams & humidity…winter in “the Sunshine State”. LOL>  Slathered on sun block, borrowed a pair of shades & settled into an already in-progress game (slow to leave the beach this morning 🙂 ).  Iowa vs Florida: Tough day for the Hawkeyes, playing the local University team.  Chomp, chomp, chomp – fans with outstretched arms made the gator gesture…often.

Iowa trailed from the Start, double-digit hole by half-time, lost the game by 30.  My first Bowl game – not a close one.  Colorado home by 10pm, returned to bitter wind & snow.  New Year, new adventures…but always good to be home.  LOVE LOVE my Colorado life.

the Outback Bowl

Florida smashes Iowa in Outback Bowl, 30-3

 

AP Published 5:04 p.m. ET Jan. 2, 2017 | Updated 8:16 p.m. ET Jan. 2, 2017

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Austin Appleby threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns, helping Florida end a two-game losing streak with a 30-3 rout of Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Monday.

 

Mark Thompson scored on an 85-yard pass play in the first half and Appleby, a graduate transfer who spent the past four seasons at Purdue, tossed a 6-yard TD pass to DeAndre Goolsby to break the game open late in the third quarter. Chauncey Gardner, Jr., returned the first of his two fourth-quarter interceptions 58 yards for a 24-3 lead.

 

Florida (9-4) rebounded from lopsided losses to archrival Florida State and No. 1 Alabama, scoring more points on Iowa (8-5) than the Hawkeyes allowed to Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska combined while ending the regular season on a three-game winning streak.