The 2009 season proved to be one of the greatest in Iowa football history. The opener pitted the Hawkeyes against in-state FCS foe Northern Iowa. Trailing by one point in the final seconds of the game, UNI opted for a field goal but the attempt was blocked, seemingly clinching the game for Iowa. However, officials ruled that since the attempt occurred on third down and was recovered by Northern Iowa behind the line of scrimmage, the Panthers retained possession with one more down to play. Amazingly, a second field goal attempt was also blocked by the Hawkeyes, giving them the 17–16 win. Iowa would go on to a school record 9–0 start to the season but fell to Northwestern after quarterback Ricky Stanzi left the game with a leg injury. The Hawkeyes lost the next week to Ohio State University in overtime but finished the season with the second straight shutout of Minnesota. Receiving their second invitation to play in the Orange Bowl, Iowa's stout defense led the Hawkeyes to a 24–14 victory over the ACC Champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, giving Iowa its first BCS-level bowl victory since the 1950s.