How Vanderbilt got to the ReliaQuest Bowl to face the Hawkeyes
For the first time since 2019, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes are headed to Tampa for the postseason. Back then, it was the Outback Bowl, and now, it’s the ReliaQuest Bowl. Their opponent with be the 14th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores (10-2), a program that has taken a major jump under head coach Clark Lea who is in his fifth season. It will be the first ever meeting between the Hawkeyes and Commodores, but Iowa is 6-8 against SEC team under Kirk Ferentz, including a win over Mississippi State in the ’19 Outback Bowl. Vanderbilt has not faced a Big Ten team since 2019, when they fell to Purdue 42-24 in a non-conference matchup. They have never faced a Big Ten team in a bowl game.
Commodores Top Stat Getters
Passing: QB Diego Pavia – 224-of-312 (71.8%), 2,924 yards, 26 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: QB Diego Pavia – 132 rushes, 661 yards, 8 TD
Receiving: TE Eli Stowers – 57 receptions, 705 yards, 4 TD
Tackles: LB Bryan Longwell – 62 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss
Sacks: DE Miles Capers – 4.5 sacks, 34 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss
Interceptions: CB Martel Hight – 3 interceptions, 31 tackles
Vanderbilt Commodores 2025-26 Schedule
| DATE | RANKING | OPPONENT | SCORE | W/L | RECORD |
| Aug 30 | – | Charleston Southern | 45-3 | W | 1-0 (0-0) |
| Sep 6 | – | at Virginia Tech | 44-20 | W | 2-0 (0-0) |
| Sep 13 | – | at South Carolina | 31-7 | W | 3-0 (1-0) |
| Sep 20 | #20 | Georgia State | 70-21 | W | 4-0 (1-0) |
| Sep 27 | #18 | Utah State | 55-35 | W | 5-0 (1-0) |
| Oct 4 | #16 | at #9 Alabama | 30-14 | L | 5-1 (1-1) |
| Oct 18 | #17 | LSU | 31-24 | W | 6-1 (2-1) |
| Oct 25 | #10 | Missouri | 17-10 | W | 7-1 (3-1) |
| Nov 1 | #9 | at #13 Texas | 34-31 | L | 7-2 (3-2) |
| Nov 8 | #16 | Auburn | 45-38 OT | W | 8-2 (4-2) |
| Nov 22 | #14 | Kentucky | 45-17 | W | 9-2 (5-2) |
| Nov 29 | #14 | at Tennessee | 45-24 | W | 10-2 (6-2) |
| Dec 31 | #14 | vs #23 Iowa (Tampa) | – | – | – |
Commodores Recent Bowl Game Results
Birmingham Bowl (2024): W vs Georgia Tech (35-27)
Texas Bowl (2018): L vs Baylor (45-38)
Independence Bowl (2016): L vs NC State (41-17)
BBVA Compass Bowl (2013): W vs Houston (41-24)
Music City Bowl (2012): W vs NC State (38-24)
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The Hawkeyes and Commodores will meet in the ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31st. Kickoff is set for 11:00am CT on ESPN.
