Iowa shuts out Kentucky in Music City Bowl

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Iowa defense accounted for two touchdowns to help lead the Hawkeyes to a shutout victory over the Kentucky Wildcats 21-0 in the Music City Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Joe Labas, who made his first career start due to Spencer Petras being out with an injury, threw for 139 yards and a touchdown, as Iowa avenged last season's loss to the Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl. This also marked the first ever shutout in Music City Bowl history.

Kentucky (7-6) entered the game without the services of quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez as both opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. The absence of the duo was notable as the were responsible more the majority of the Wildcats offensive success.

Iowa's defense highlighted a rather sloppy game by both offenses, who combined for 391 total yards.

The Hawkeyes (8-5) scored all their points in the second quarter to seize control, scoring twice 11 seconds apart early in the quarter.

Labas hit Sam LaPorta on a short pass that the tight end pushed through defenders on his way to a 27-yard gain. Then Labas found Luke Lachey for another short pass, and the tight end ran 15 yards for the touchdown and a 7-0 Iowa lead with 12:08 left before halftime.

After a kickoff out of bounds, Kentucky got the ball at their own 35 on their ensuing possession. But freshman quarterback Destin Wade, who was also making his first start, was picked off by Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa who returned the ball 52 yards for a 14-0 Iowa lead.

The Hawkeyes rounded out the scoring for the game when Bowl MVP Cooper DeJean picked off Wade on third-and-10 from Kentucky's own 7 and strutted his way 14 yards for a 21-0 lead.

The Hawkeyes finished the season off winning five of their last six games and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz finished off his 24th season by matching the late Joe Paterno for the most bowl victories among Big Ten coaches with ten.

Iowa 0 21 0 0 = 21

Kentucky 0 0 0 0 = 0

Second Quarter IOWA-Luke Lachey 15 pass from Joe Labas (Drew Stevens kick), 12:08. IOWA-Xavier Nwankpa 52 yard interception return (Drew Stevens kick), 11:57. IOWA-Cooper DeJean 14 yard interception return (Drew Stevens kick), 1:36.