Iowa defensive lineman Aaron Graves and Iowa defensive lineman Max Llewellyn celebrate after winning a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan)
The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores, 34-27, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida Wednesday afternoon, taking home the ReliaQuest Trophy to close out the 2025 season. After a 14-game losing streak against ranked teams, dating back to 2021, Iowa has finally won one.
Iowa tight end DJ Vonnahme led the receivers with 146 yards, seven receptions, and a touchdown. Running back Kamari Moulton had one touchdown, making it his fifth of the season and tenth of his career. Moulton finished the game with 14 carries, totaling 95 yards.
As a senior, Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski ended his collegiate career on a high note, accumulating over 200 passing yards and two touchdowns. When asked about what he’d remember about Iowa when looking back at his career in the program, he said that as a kid, he always looked up to the university. “It was just a great opportunity to get a chance to play here, play for the Big Ten, the best conference in the country,” he said.
With the conclusion of the 2025 season, Iowa ended with a 9-4 record, while Vanderbilt ended 10-3.
Iowa defensive back Zach Lutmer waits for the snap during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa running back Kamari Moulton runs the ball during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz accepts the ReliaQuest Bowl Trophy from Jim McVay after winning a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches the field during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s mom, Antoinette Padilla, yells out during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa defensive back TJ Hall tackles Vanderbilt wide receiver Junior Sherrill during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa defensive back TJ Hall takes down Vanderbilt wide receiver Tre Richardson during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Vanderbilt wide receiver Kayleb Barnett gets airborne during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Vanderbilt defensive lineman Zaylin Wood celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Hawkeye fans cheer during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa running back Kamari Moulton celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa running back Kamari Moulton poses for a photo after a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commordores 34-27. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski looks back at the field after winning a football game between Iowa and No. 14 Vanderbilt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. The Hawkeyes defeated the Commodores 34-27. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)
