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Three Hawkeyes became Super Bowl Champions on Sunday, while another claimed his second ring.
New England defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in what may have been a snoozer to watch at home, but it was surely thrilling for former Hawkeyes Adrian Clayborn, James Ferentz, Cole Croston, and Riley McCarron
Clayborn helped fuel a relentless Patriots pass rush, which turned out to be one of the game’s deciding factors. He accounted for one of New England’s 12 hits on Rams quarterback Jared Goff, who was sacked four times, completed only 50 percent of his passes, and was limited to a passer rating of 57.9. He was pressured on 38 percent of his dropbacks, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Clayborn was surely happy to find himself on the winning side of history after the events of two years ago. He wasn’t able to play due to being on injured reserve, but had to watch as his Atlanta Falcons squandered a 28-3 lead in an eventual 31-28 loss to Tom Brady in the Patriots, which SB Nation’s Natalie Weiner asked Clayborn about earlier in the week.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz also shared a moment with Clayborn after the game (scroll to the second image below).
Ferentz’s own son, James, was a healthy inactive after suiting up most of the season as a backup left guard and playing in two games. He became a two-time Super Bowl champion nonetheless, winning the title three years ago with Denver’s 24-10 victory over Carolina in Super bowl 50.
I think just him and Adam Vinatieri. Three HOFs and James Ferentz!
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) February 4, 2019
Fellow offensive lineman Croston, a member of New England’s practice squad, and McCarron, a wide receiver on injured reserve, also got their hands on the Lombardi trophy.
Congratulations @Cole_Croston on the Super Bowl Championship! @sblpride @SBLWarriorFB pic.twitter.com/0AaM4sXbRB
— Pioneer Bank (@pioneerbanks) February 4, 2019
Congratulations to former player Riley McCarron on being a Super Bowl champion! pic.twitter.com/TOfYE8gbDS
— Nick Maneman (@CoachManeman) February 4, 2019
Hawkeyes have now accounted for 24 Super Bowl rings with this Patriots victory, with Ferentz being the only two-time winner.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) February 4, 2019
Austin Blythe struggled at times with the Rams’ offensive line under siege by Clayborn and company. Blythe had a strong season overall, however, which Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register recounted last week.
In other news, we found out Blythe really hates snakes.
Austin Blythe and Brian Allen chime in... sort of pic.twitter.com/HlPIrQxkOy
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 2, 2019