Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the ball during a Vanderbilt football practice at Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday Dec 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan)
TAMPA – Ahead of the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, the Iowa Hawkeyes and No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores held practices at different high schools in Tampa, Florida on Saturday.
Iowa football held a practice at the Berkeley Preparatory School, and after, players and coaches spoke with members of the media. When asked about the opposing team’s Heismen Trophy runner-up, Diego Pavia, quarterback Mark Gronowski said, “It’s always fun seeing another great quarterback on the other side of the Bowl.” In other news, their special teams coordinator, LeVar Woods, is hoping for a win to cap off his time with the Hawkeyes. “It’s definitely sentimental a little bit… I love the people of Iowa.” Woods said.
Vanderbilt football held their practice at Tampa Jesuit High School, and hosted media availability with running back MK Young, defensive lineman Khordae Sydnor, and cornerback Martel Hight. Young shared that this was Team Five’s last climb, and that Team Six will not be the same. “We want to take all that in and all the memories, because so much of this only comes around so often.”
The ReliaQuest Bowl will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Raymond James Stadium 11 a.m. CST.
Players face off against each other in a drill during an Iowa football practice at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa offensive lineman Aaron Graves speaks to the media during an Iowa football practice at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Players practice during a Vanderbilt football practice at Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday Dec 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Running back Makhilyn Young speaks to press after a Vanderbilt football practice at Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday Dec 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Vanderbilt running back Dominic Rezac and linebacker Prince Kollie run drills during a Vanderbilt football practice at Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday Dec 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Vanderbilt players chase after the ball during a Vanderbilt football practice at Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday Dec 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa players run drills during an Iowa football practice at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa offensive lineman Trevor Lauck runs a drill with a teammate during an Iowa football practice at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa head coach Ben McCollum yells out during an Iowa football practice at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski speaks to the media during an Iowa football practice at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Running back Makhilyn Youngs helmet and cleats are seen as he speaks to the press during a Vanderbilt football practice at Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday Dec 27, 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores will face off in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Raymond James Stadium. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)
