Kaeding Kicks In for Iowa

Nate Kaeding was looking for someone to hug.

He might have found someone if he had run toward his team’s sideline after kicking the winning field goal with 44 seconds left in Iowa’s 19-16 victory over Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday.

As Kaeding watched the 47-yard kick sail inside the right upright, holder David Bradley grabbed him by the shoulder pads and threw him down in celebration, a takedown worthy of Iowa’s powerhouse wrestling team.

Kaeding got up and ran by himself toward the end zone where the Iowa fans were cheering wildly.

“A lot of people always ask me why I’m so emotional when I kick a field goal,” said Kaeding, who also had field goals of 36, 31 and 46 yards. The winner tied his season long.

“I only play five or six times a game and I practice for 50 to 60 hours. Sure I’m going to be a little bit emotional. I’ve got a heartbeat. I’ve got to go out there and celebrate what I do.”

Aaron Greving rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown for Iowa (7-5), which won its first bowl game since 1997. He was selected most valuable player.

“I can finally say it: I think we’ve turned the corner,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “There is a world of difference between six and seven wins. It was great to win a close game on national television.”

Texas Tech (7-5) missed winning eight games for the fourth time since 1976. Kliff Kingsbury led the Red Raiders by completing 29 of 49 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown, but had three passes intercepted. One of the interceptions set up an Iowa field goal in the third quarter.

“I thought we squandered the first half,” Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach said. “At times we had the mentality of waiting for good things to happen. You’ve got to go out and make things happen.”

Greving, who replaced injured starter Ladell Betts in the first quarter, put Iowa ahead, 10-0, on a one-yard touchdown run. Betts rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season, but had been bothered by a hamstring injury.

Greving, whose previous high this season was 77 yards, had 82 by halftime.