The 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl game featured the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Georgia Tech was selected to participate in the Orange Bowl after an 11–2 season that culminated in a 39–34 victory in the 2009 ACC Championship Game.
In the weeks between the teams' selection and the playing of the game, media attention focused on Georgia Tech's proficient offense and Iowa's highly rated defense.
On July 14, 2011, the NCAA vacated Georgia Tech's appearance in the bowl game as a consequence for violations committed by the football program.
[nb 1] As defined by contract, the bowl matches the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against an at-large pick chosen by a special committee.
[9][10] Having lost their SEC tie-in (Alabama Crimson Tide) to the national title game, the Sugar Bowl chose the Florida Gators as the replacement.
However, early in the second quarter, quarterback Ricky Stanzi was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury, in a play that resulted in the Wildcats' first touchdown.
But redshirt freshman quarterback James Vandenberg, filling in for the injured Stanzi, threw an interception in the first overtime series.
In Tech's first road game of the year, the Yellow Jackets left Land Shark Stadium with a 17–33 loss to the Miami Hurricanes.
Down 6 with less than two minutes remaining, the Yellow Jackets gave up their run offense and had four consecutive incomplete "Hail Mary" passes.
On 4th and 10 at Georgia's 46-yard line, quarterback Josh Nesbitt's pass to a wide open Demaryius Thomas was dropped, sealing a 30-24 win for the Bulldogs.
In an exciting, high scoring game that saw no punts, the Yellow Jackets barely eked out a 39-34 victory to earn their first BCS berth.
On Iowa's second drive of the game, quarterback Ricky Stanzi drove the Hawkeyes 80 yards, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt.
Iowa scored another touchdown on the following drive, with Stanzi hitting Colin Sandeman for 21 yards, giving the Hawkeyes a 14-0 lead.
On the first drive of the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech's Anthony Allen rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to cut Iowa's lead to 17-14.
A final sack of Nesbitt by Iowa Defensive end Adrian Clayborn helped to seal the deal for the Hawkeyes, giving them their first major bowl victory in 51 years.
Clayborn and Stanzi, during the press conference at the end of the game, both announced their intention to return to Iowa for their senior years.