Hawkeyes Turn on the Offense Late, Beat Vanderbilt 34–27 in ReliaQuest Bowl

I’ll be honest right from the jump — this game kind of annoyed me.

Not because Iowa lost (they didn’t), but because the Hawkeyes suddenly rolled out an offensive performance that made you sit there wondering where in the world was this all season? Still, style points don’t matter in bowl season. Wins do, and Iowa closed the year with a 34–27 win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, giving Kirk Ferentz his 11th career bowl victory.

And it didn’t take long for Iowa to show they came ready.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

Iowa opened the game on fire, marching 72 yards in just five plays. The drive was saved on a huge moment: on 3rd-and-7, Mark Gronowski broke free from what looked like a sure sack and took off for a 44-yard run, pushing Iowa deep into Vanderbilt territory. A personal foul tacked on extra yards, placing the Hawkeyes at the Commodores’ 12-yard line.

Kamari Moulton handled the rest — an 8-yard run followed by a physical 4-yard touchdown plunge to give Iowa a 7–0 lead just over two minutes into the game.

Vanderbilt tried to answer, stringing together a few solid completions, but Iowa linebacker Karson Sharar shut it down with a sack of Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia, forcing a punt.

Missed Chances, Then a Gift

Iowa’s offense stayed aggressive, driving 79 yards on seven plays on its next possession, but a tipped ball on a pass to Xavier Williams turned into an interception, stopping the Hawkeyes just short of another score.

Vanderbilt couldn’t capitalize. Sharar recorded another sack on Pavia, and the Commodores punted after a three-and-out that actually lost a yard.

After both teams traded sluggish possessions, Vanderbilt finally got on the board with a 13-play, 59-yard drive, settling for a field goal to make it 7–3.

Late in the half, the game took a strange turn.

Vanderbilt’s punter, Brock Haberer, attempted a fake rugby-style punt, hesitating before kicking it away — but he was past the line of scrimmage, drawing a costly penalty. Iowa suddenly had the ball at Vanderbilt’s 10-yard line with 43 seconds left.

One play was all it took.

Gronowski lofted a pass to Reece Vander Zee, who made an outstanding catch, tapping both feet in the end zone while pulling the ball in behind the defender’s back. Just like that, Iowa led 14–3 heading into halftime.

Hawkeyes Pull Away… Then Hang On

Vanderbilt received the second-half kickoff but stalled after an illegal formation penalty wiped out a 4th-and-1 attempt, forcing another punt.

Iowa made them pay.

A 6-play, 58-yard drive ended with a flea flicker touchdown to tight end DJ Vonnahme, who was Gronowski’s go-to target all afternoon. The score pushed Iowa’s lead to 21–3, and at that point it felt like the Hawkeyes were in full control.

But Vanderbilt wasn’t done.

One play — a 75-yard strike to Tre Richardson — got the Commodores back in it at 21–10, and they continued to attack that matchup throughout the game.

After Iowa failed to capitalize on a short field and settled for a 47-yard Drew Stevens field goal, Vanderbilt took advantage, driving 70 yards in just over two minutes to cut the lead to 24–17.

That response woke Iowa up.

Iowa Closes the Door

The Hawkeyes answered with one of their best drives of the night — 70 yards in six plays. Big chunks came from a 21-yard grab by Vonnahme and a 32-yard run by Moulton, before Gronowski finished it himself with a 1-yard QB sneak to make it 31–17.

Vanderbilt responded again, scoring quickly to pull within seven at 31–24, but Iowa stayed composed.

A long, clock-chewing 13-play drive burned over seven minutes and ended with another Stevens field goal, extending the lead to 34–24. Vanderbilt opted for a quick field goal on its next possession bringing them within 7 34-27 — an interesting but understandable choice — but Iowa picked up enough first downs afterward to kneel out the win.

Final Thoughts

Mark Gronowski earned ReliaQuest Bowl MVP honors, finishing 16-of-22 for 212 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception that truly wasn’t his fault. He added 54 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

DJ Vonnahme was outstanding, hauling in 7 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown, while Kamari Moulton powered the run game.

Diego Pavia played well through the air (347 yards, two touchdowns), but Iowa’s defense did an excellent job containing his legs, limiting Vanderbilt to just 51 rushing yards. Iowa, meanwhile, rushed for 167 yards.

Karson Sharar set the tone defensively with two sacks, helping keep Vanderbilt uncomfortable all night.

Was it frustrating to finally see this kind of offense show up in a bowl game? Absolutely.But a bowl win is a bowl win — and Iowa ends the season on a high note, hoisting another trophy under Kirk Ferentz.

On to the offseason.