A 35-0 shut-out at the hands of the Volunteers was a bitter pill for the Hawkeyes to swallow. And not everyone seemed to be a fan of Tennessee’s aggressive approach, especially as they approached the finishing line.
Among these was ESPN analyst Brock Osweiler, a former NFL quarterback, whose disappointment in the Volunteers’ strategy did not go unnoticed. “I don’t love this move here by the Vols right now. They had an opportunity to run out the clock, I get it, you got some backups in there. They’ve worked hard, they’ve earned reps. But there is also a sportsmanship element to this game well within hand, 35-0,” Osweiler said.
The Hawkeyes not only failed to produce a fightback but were unable to put even a single point on the board. As the clock dwindled down and the implausible became the reality, ESPN analyst Brock Osweiler took a stand and not one in favor of Tennessee.
Condemning Tennessee’s aggressive strategy that persisted despite a comfortable lead, he was publicly pleading for mercy on Iowa’s behalf, a sentiment echoed by play-by-play commentator Dave Flemming.
Football may not have as many unwritten rules as baseball, but many felt that the Volunteers’ call to action in the final minute against a clearly beaten opponent violated a code of conduct. Osweiler’s comments underscored this sentiment, suggesting that there are boundaries not to be crossed, even amidst the heat of competition.
For Tennessee fans, the situation was viewed through a different lens. Some believed that the Vols’ players deserved to seize their moment in the Bowl game and should not be criticized for their professional ambition. In the midst of the somewhat unpleasant episode, the lighter side of events was in the form of the game’s Cheez-It mascot, who seemed to have had a better day than anyone associated with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The controversial Citrus Bowl added another chapter onto the discussions of sportsmanship and competitiveness in sports. While everyone has their viewpoints, the unanimous agreement leans towards a more compassionate approach to maintaining the integrity and spirit of the sport.
