in 2008, ferentz and the hawkeyes started out strong with victories over his old team, maine, florida international, and rival iowa state, but close losses to pitt, northwestern, and michigan state left iowa with a 3–3 record. iowa then went on to win five of their next six games, including a 24–23 upset of #3 ranked and undefeated penn state. after finishing the regular season at 8–4, iowa accepted an invitation to the outback bowl where they defeated the south carolina gamecocks, 31–10.