Ferentz’s Milestone: Iowa Outlasts Vanderbilt in ReliaQuest Bowl Thriller

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In a game that perfectly encapsulated the grit of the Kirk Ferentz era, the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes (9–4) held off a late-game surge by No. 14 Vanderbilt (10–3) to secure a 34–27 victory in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl.

The win, delivered on New Year’s Eve at Raymond James Stadium, was more than just a trophy—it was a historic milestone for the program and its legendary head coach.

Gronowski’s Historic Finale

The story of the afternoon was Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski, who capped his collegiate career with a performance for the record books. Earning MVP honors, Gronowski was the engine that powered a Hawkeye offense that has found its identity in 2025.

Passing: 16-of-22, 212 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: 54 yards, 1 TD
The Record: Gronowski’s 1-yard touchdown sneak in the fourth quarter was his 16th rushing TD of the season, setting an Iowa program record for a quarterback and tying the all-time Big Ten record (Denard Robinson).

The “Big Play” Hawkeyes

While Iowa is traditionally known for a “ground-and-pound” style, they utilized several explosive plays to build a 21–3 lead early in the third quarter:

The Flea-Flicker: Leading 14–3, Gronowski executed a perfect end-around flea-flicker, finding tight end DJ Vonnahme for a 21-yard touchdown strike.
TE Dominance: Vonnahme was the game’s breakout star, recording a career-high 146 receiving yards on seven catches, including a 51-yard bomb that set the tone early.
Ground Support: Kamari Moulton added 95 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping Iowa control the pace against a Vanderbilt defense that struggled to win the battle in the trenches.

Pavia’s Comeback Bid

Vanderbilt, coming off the most successful season in program history, did not go quietly. Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia led a furious second-half comeback, finishing with 383 total yards and three touchdowns.

The Home Run: Immediately after falling behind 21–3, Pavia hit Tre Richardson for a 75-yard touchdown—the longest bowl completion in Vanderbilt history.
The Pressure: Pavia brought the Commodores within one score twice in the fourth quarter, but the Iowa defense—led by TJ Hall and Karson Sharar (2 sacks)—made the critical stops when they mattered most.

By The Numbers: 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl

Category	Vanderbilt Commodores	Iowa Hawkeyes
Total Yards	398	379
Passing Yards	347	212
Rushing Yards	51	167
Sacks	2	4
Time of Possession	30:34	29:26

Writing the Record Books: The Ferentz Milestone

With this victory, Kirk Ferentz officially moved past Joe Paterno for the most bowl wins in Big Ten history (11). It also marked Iowa’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 2021, ending a 14-game drought and proving that the Hawkeyes remain a force on the national stage.

“Today was a really special day for our team,” Ferentz said post-game. “We’ve had some tough losses this year, but this group showed up and competed until the final whistle. This is exactly why bowl games are significant.”

What’s Next?

As Iowa heads into 2026, they face the challenge of replacing the veteran leadership of Gronowski and a core of 27 seniors. However, with the emergence of young talents like Kamari Moulton and DJ Vonnahme, the future of the Hawkeye offense looks brighter than it has in years.