Gronowksi leads Iowa holds off Vanderbilt 34-27 in comeback bid to win the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, past winners list, history
Kirk Ferentz is back in the win column in bowl games.
The Iowa football coach improved to 11-11 as the Hawkeyes' head coach in bowl games, with Iowa earning a 34-27 win over Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year's Eve in Tampa, Florida.
The Hawkeyes (9-4) held a 21-3 halftime lead and then held on in the second half to knock off the Commodores (10-3).
Mark Gronowski finished 16-of-22 passing for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while also adding 10 rushes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Kamari Moulton had 14 rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown in the win for the Hawkeyes, while tight end DJ Vonnahme had seven catches for 146 yards and a score.
Pavia finished 25-of-38 passing for 347 yards and two touchdowns and also added a rushing score. He, however, struggled in the first half with accuracy and was sacked four times.
Vanderbilt falls to 5-5-1 all-time in bowl games. The Commodores were playing in consecutive bowl games for only the second time in program history.
The ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly Hall of Fame/Outback Bowl since 1986) is a premier SEC-Big Ten tie-in at Tampa's pirate-themed Raymond James Stadium, known for high-energy atmospheres and military tributes via the "Salute to Service" initiative.
Sponsored by cybersecurity firm ReliaQuest, it includes fan events like the ReliaQuest Bowl Parade and "Make It Possible" awards for unsung heroes.
Iowa vs Vanderbilt score
TEAMS 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q F
Iowa 7 7 10 10 34
Vanderbilt 0 3 14 10 27
When is the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, Date.
The 40th edition of the Annual ReliaQuest Bowl will be played on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Where is the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl being played, location.
The 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl game that is scheduled to be played on Wednesday December 31st, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
What time does the ReliaQuest Bowl game starts.?
Iowa Hawkeyes Will Face Vanderbilt Commodores. Bowl Game that will kick-off at 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT)
Who will plays in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl game.?
The 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl features the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) against the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores (10-2, 6-2 SEC) in a Big Ten vs. SEC matchup. Iowa, victims of four close losses (including to Oregon and Indiana), enters their 12th straight bowl and seventh ReliaQuest appearance (3-3 all-time). Vanderbilt is enjoying its best season ever, with a historic 10 wins and a fringe playoff case; QB Diego Pavia could play his final college game, potentially capping an 11-win year.
How can I watch the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl game? What channel will it be on?
The 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl game will be national televised on ESPN.
How can I stream the ReliaQuest Bowl game or watch it without cable?
The game will be streamed live on the ESPN Sports website and the ESPN Sports App. OR Try FuboTV for free for Live streaming.
Fubo TV and Sling TV both offers to watch the event without cable. Because they are two of the most popular streaming services that offer ESPN without cable. Both services also offer a free trial and don’t require contracts. This means you can try each service out and if you’re not happy, you can cancel the service at any time.
Where Can I gets the Tickets of 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl.
Tickets for the game are available through official vendors like Ticketmaster. Travel packages, including game tickets and hotel accommodations, can also be arranged through partners like Sports Traveler or the official Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics website. For more information, you can visit the official ReliaQuest Bowl website.
2025 ReliaQuest Bowl game, Top Players
Iowa: QB Mark Gronowski – Dual-threat leader with 3,200+ pass yds, 22 TDs; sparked late-season wins, including 40-16 over Nebraska.
Iowa: LB Jay Higgins – All-Big Ten tackler; 110 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 INTs; anchors No. 8 scoring defense with turnover creation (18 team INTs).
Iowa: RB Kaleb Johnson – Big Ten rushing leader (1,200+ yds, 15 TDs); explosive power back vital for ground control vs. Vandy's 103.3 rush ypg allowed.
Vanderbilt: QB Diego Pavia – Heisman finalist/Johnny Unitas winner; 3,500+ pass yds, 28 TDs, 800 rush yds/10 TDs; transformed Vandy's offense (39.8 ppg).
Vanderbilt: RB Sedrick Alexander – SEC rushing standout; 1,000+ yds, 12 TDs (115 yds/3 TDs vs. Tennessee); versatile scorer in balanced attack.
Vanderbilt: TE Eli Stowers – Go-to target with 900+ rec yds, 8 TDs; big-play threat expected to play despite transfer buzz.
ReliaQuest Bowl 2025 Odds: Lines, Predictions, Picks, Point Spread, Totals, Prediction.
BetMGM:
Vanderbilt -4 (-110) | Iowa +4 (-110) | O/U 49.5 (-110) | Moneyline: Vanderbilt -176 / Iowa +150
Vanderbilt -4 (-110) | Iowa +4 (-110) | O/U 49.5 (-110) | Moneyline: Vanderbilt -176 / Iowa +150
FanDuel:
Vanderbilt -4 (-110) | Moneyline: Vanderbilt -170 / Iowa +142 | O/U 49.5
Vanderbilt -4 (-110) | Moneyline: Vanderbilt -170 / Iowa +142 | O/U 49.5
DraftKings:
Vanderbilt -4 (-110) | Moneyline: Vanderbilt -175 / Iowa +145 | O/U 49.5
Vanderbilt -4 (-110) | Moneyline: Vanderbilt -175 / Iowa +145 | O/U 49.5
Who won the ReliaQuest Bowl 2024?
The Michigan Wolverines won the ReliaQuest Bowl played on December 31, 2024, defeating the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide with a final score of 19–13
ReliaQuest Bowl History, List of Past winners, All-time results, champions, 1986-2025.
The ReliaQuest Bowl began in 1986 as the Hall of Fame Bowl (later the Outback Bowl, 1995-2022) and the matchup currently features schools from the Big Ten and the SEC. This game takes place at Raymond James Stadium from Tampa, Florida.
The SEC has gone 16-13 while the Big Ten owns an 13-17 record in the 32-year history of the bowl.
The SEC did it again in 2022 with a 24-10 win by Arkansas over Penn State, winning for the fifth time in the past seven ReliaQuest Bowls.
Year -- Matchup
2025 — Michingan 19, Alabama 13
2024 — LSU 35, WISCONSIN 31
2023 — Mississippi State 19, Illinois Fighting Illini 10
2022 — Arkansas 24, Penn State 10
2021 — Ole Miss 26, Indiana 20
2020 — Minnesota 31, Auburn 24
2019 — Iowa 27, Mississippi State 22
2018 — South Carolina 26, Michigan 19
2017 — Florida 30, Iowa 3
2016 — Tennessee 45, Northwestern 6
2015 — Wisconsin 34, Auburn 31 (OT)
2014 — LSU 21 Iowa 14
2013 — South Carolina 33 Michigan 28
2012 — Michigan State 33 Georgia 30 (3OT)
2011 — Florida 37 Penn State 24
2010 — Auburn 38 Northwestern 35 (OT)
2009 — Iowa 31 South Carolina 10
2008 — Tennessee 21 Wisconsin 17
2007 — Penn State 20 Tennessee 10
2006 — Florida 31 Iowa 24
2005 — Georgia 24 Wisconsin 21
2004 — Iowa 37 Florida 17
2003 — Michigan 38 Florida 30
2002 — South Carolina 31 Ohio State 28
2001 — South Carolina 24 Ohio State 7
2000 — Georgia 28 Purdue 25 (OT)
1999 — Penn State 26 Kentucky 14
1998 — Georgia 33 Wisconsin 6
1997 — Alabama 17 Michigan 14
1996 — Penn State 43 Auburn 14
1995 — Wisconsin 34 Duke 20
1994 — Michigan 42 NC State 7
1993 — Tennessee 38 Boston College 23
1992 — Syracuse 24 Ohio State 17
1991 — Clemson 30 Illinois 0
1990 — Auburn 31 Ohio State 14 - -
1989 — Syracuse 23 LSU 10 - -
1988 — Michigan 28 Alabama 24 - -
1986 — Boston College 27 Georgia 24
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