After losing four straight conference games, the team rebounded to finish sixth place in the Big Ten standings.
USC was selected for the Rose Bowl by virtue of more non-conference victories than Washington.
Kicker Brion Hurley added a 49-yard field goal, to make it 10–0 after one quarter of play.
Washington finally got on the board after quarterback Shane Fortney threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerome Pathon to make it 24–6.
Iowa's Michael Burger scored on a pair of touchdown runs to increase the lead to 38–6.