Iowa Holds Off Vanderbilt in 34-27 ReliaQuest Bowl Victory.

TAMPA, Fla. — Quarterback Mark Gronowski led Iowa to a 34-27 victory over No. 13 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for another. Gronowski completed 16 of 22 passes for 212 yards, connecting with Reece Vander Zee on a 10-yard touchdown and DJ Vonnahme on a 21-yard score. Iowa jumped to an early 21-3 lead in the third quarter. Vanderbilt (10-3) rallied behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia, who threw a 75-yard touchdown to Tre Richardson and a 16-yard pass to Joseph McVay, bringing the Commodores within 24-17. Both teams traded scores in the fourth quarter: Gronowski added a 1-yard rushing touchdown for Iowa, followed by an 11-yard touchdown run by Pavia. Iowa extended its lead with a 44-yard field goal by Drew Stevens after a seven-minute, 13-play drive. Vanderbilt responded with a 37-yard field goal from Brock Taylor, but Iowa sealed the win as Xavier Williams converted an 11-yard third-and-1 run with 1:55 remaining. Pavia finished with 347 passing yards. Richardson had six receptions for 127 yards, while Junior Sherrill caught eight passes for 123 yards. Iowa’s Vonnahme led with seven catches for 146 yards, and Kamari Moulton ran for 95 yards and a touchdown. Gronowski also added 54 rushing yards.

The Takeaway

For Iowa, the victory marked a 4-3 record in the ReliaQuest Bowl (previously known as the Outback Bowl) under coach Kirk Ferentz and the 11th season of nine or more wins during his tenure. Despite the loss, Vanderbilt set a school record with 10 wins and secured a six-year contract extension for coach Clark Lea in November.

Up Next

Iowa will host Northern Illinois on September 5, while TCU opens its season against Austin Peay on the same date.