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Vanderbilt Commodores Head to ReliaQuest Bowl After Stellar Season

NASHVILLE, TN – The Vanderbilt Commodores are heading to the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida, on December 31st, marking their eleventh bowl appearance in program history. The No. 14 Commodores capped off a historic regular season with a 10-2 overall record and a 6-2 mark in SEC play, their best season to date.

Vanderbilt’s impressive performance included victories over four ranked opponents and a program-record 13 consecutive weeks in the AP Poll. Despite their success and a No. 14 ranking in the final College Football Playoff poll, the Commodores were not selected for the CFP, despite their SEC Conference sending five teams into the post season.

Several Commodores earned individual accolades for their contributions to the team’s success. Tight end Eli Stowers received All-American honors, as well as the Mackey and Campbell Awards. Quarterback Diego Pavia was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Vanderbilt will face the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4) in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Hawkeyes are known for their hard-nosed, defensive-minded style of play. Iowa’s defense is ranked eighth nationally, presenting a significant challenge to Vanderbilt’s high-powered offense, which ranks eighth in the FBS in scoring. Iowa’s offensive strategy relies on a strong running game.

The Hawkeyes’ ground game is spearheaded by sophomore running back Kamari Moulton, who has rushed for 783 yards this season. Iowa’s offensive line, a Joe Moore Award winner, is exceptional at creating opportunities for their running backs. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski is a dual threat, rushing for 491 yards. Iowa’s tight end DJ Vonnahme is a key target in the passing game. Iowa’s defense features multiple All-Big Ten selections.

Vanderbilt opened as a 5.5-point favorite, but the Commodores’ coaching staff anticipate a challenging game against a physical Iowa team. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST and will be broadcast nationally. The Commodores will need to establish the run and make use of short passes to open up Iowa’s defense, while Vanderbilt’s defense will have to contain the Iowa running game and dual-threat quarterback.

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