hawkeyesports.com continues its video countdown to the 2006 Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 30, against the Texas Longhorns inside San Antonio's Alamodome today with a visit with defensive back Marcus Paschal.

The leader of Iowa's defensive backfield and, arguably, one of the hardest hitting Hawkeyes, Paschal is looking to experience something new - San Antonio - after four straight bowl trips to his home state of Florida.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to play the Texas Longhorns and to have the opportunity to go to Texas. It's going to be a great experience," said Paschal.

Athletes. That's the term Paschal likes to use when he talks about Iowa's opponent in San Antonio.

"We know they are talented and a very, very good team," said the senior from Largo, Fla. "We need to go out play our game, play the type of football we're capable of for 60 minutes.

"We have to be focused, have fun. You can't be tight," he added. "To have an opportunity to win, you need to be loose, to have some fun, and play hard and focused."

Paschal will enter the 2006 Alamo Bowl with a career-high 64 tackles already to his credit. His stats line also includes one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss and one interception.

To watch the video feature on Paschal or any of the previous "Countdown" videos, visit the hawkeyesports.com's Alamo Bowl Bowl Central page by clicking HERE and click on the "Marcus Paschal" in the upper right hand corner.

The video is free, but all visitors to Hawkeye All-Access, the multi-media pages of hawkeyesports.com do need to register.

Alamo Bowl Countdown
Sunday, Dec. 17 - Quarterback Drew Tate

Monday, Dec. 18 - Head Coach Kirk Ferentz

Tuesday, Dec. 19 - Offensive Lineman Marshal Yanda

Wednesday, Dec. 20 - Defensive Back Marcus Paschal