Mark Gronowski leads Iowa to 34-27 ReliaQuest Bowl upset over Vanderbilt

Lead

Mark Gronowski delivered a multi-phase performance as No. 23 Iowa beat No. 14 Vanderbilt 34-27 in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla., handing the Commodores their final loss of the season. Gronowski accounted for 212 passing yards with two touchdown passes and added 54 rushing yards and a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown. Vanderbilt’s Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia rallied in the second half, finishing with 347 passing yards, two passing TDs and 36 rushing yards, but Iowa’s early defensive pressure and late execution preserved the win. The victory gave Iowa a 9-4 finish and snapped a 14-game losing streak against ranked opponents dating to 2021.

Key Takeaways

• Iowa won 34-27 over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla., improving to 9-4 on the season.
• Mark Gronowski completed the game with 212 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and 54 rushing yards including a fourth-quarter rushing TD.
• Diego Pavia finished 25-for-38 for 347 yards, two passing TDs and added a 36-yard rushing day plus a rushing score.
• Iowa sacked Pavia four times in the first half and did not allow Vanderbilt’s first touchdown until late in the third quarter.
• Gronowski’s fourth-quarter rushing touchdown was his 16th of the season, tying Denard Robinson for the Big Ten single-season quarterback rushing-TD record.
• Wide receiver DJ Vonnahme, a redshirt freshman, posted 146 receiving yards and emerged as a key playmaker for Iowa.
• The result ended Iowa’s 14-game losing skid versus ranked teams and capped a season in which Kirk Ferentz became the Big Ten’s winningest coach.

Background

Iowa entered the ReliaQuest Bowl after a season of narrow margins: the Hawkeyes finished 9-4 with key one-score losses at USC (26-21), to Oregon (18-16) and at Iowa State (16-13), plus an agonizing defeat at home to Indiana. Those results left Iowa on the cusp of College Football Playoff consideration in a campaign marked by defensive steadiness and periodic offensive bursts. Kirk Ferentz’s program also celebrated his ascent to the top of the Big Ten wins list, a milestone that contextualized Iowa’s bowl appearance for alumni and the conference alike.

Vanderbilt, coached by Clark Lea, finished 10-3 and arrived in Tampa as a Top-15 team, arguing that the Commodores had been a legitimate CFP contender before the semifinal selections. Diego Pavia, the Heisman runner-up, provided the kind of late-game heroics that had defined Vanderbilt’s season: mobility, improvisation, and downfield plays. Still, questions about Pavia’s consistency as a downfield passer followed NFL scouts’ pre-draft grades that emphasized his competitive traits over prototypical arm strength.

Main Event

The game’s early script favored Iowa. Defensive pressure produced four sacks of Pavia in the first half, repeatedly disrupting Vanderbilt’s timing and forcing conservative play-calling. Iowa converted on multiple short-field situations and produced a balanced attack with Gronowski mixing designed runs and play-action passes. By halftime the Hawkeyes had established momentum and kept Vanderbilt off the scoreboard for most of the second quarter.

Pavia mounted a second-half rally, finding success on intermediate and deep throws including a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter that showcased his ability to connect on explosive plays. Vanderbilt narrowed the margin with a series of sustained drives, but the Commodores could not overcome an Iowa defense that made crucial third-down stops and limited red-zone damage early in the game.

On offense, Gronowski’s dual-threat play kept Vanderbilt’s defense conflicted; he passed for two scores and finished with a season-high tying rushing touchdown total. DJ Vonnahme’s 146 receiving yards provided Iowa a consistent intermediate target; his route quickness and separation frequently forced Vanderbilt to bracket coverage and opened running lanes. In the fourth quarter, Gronowski’s short-yardage physicality produced the go-ahead touchdown and allowed Iowa to manage the clock in the final possessions.

Analysis & Implications

For Iowa, the win reinforced an offensive trajectory that showed more consistency in Tim Lester’s second season as offensive coordinator. The Hawkeyes surpassed 30 points for the seventh time this year and the fifth time against Power Four opposition, signaling that the unit can be efficient against quality defenses. Gronowski’s blend of scrambling and designed movement diversified sequencing and created scoring opportunities without asking him to push for low-percentage deep shots.

Mark Gronowski’s individual profile now reads as a possible NFL Day-3 candidate or a realistic backup target. His 16 rushing touchdowns tie an existing Big Ten benchmark and highlight his effectiveness in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios — traits NFL teams value for a complementary quarterback. Scouts will note his mobility and competitiveness, while also weighing questions about consistent deep passing velocity and typical pro-level mechanics.

For Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt, the loss does not erase a 10-win season that elevated the program’s national standing. Pavia’s final collegiate performance reinforced the traits NFL evaluators cite — competitiveness, playmaking on the move, and downfield timing — while also exposing the occasional inaccuracy on deep throws. Most scouting reports still view him as a priority free agent with late-round draft upside, though a team might accommodate his strengths as a developmental pick.

Comparison & Data

The table above condenses the clear contrast: Pavia accumulated more passing yardage overall, but Iowa’s balanced attack and early defensive disruption changed field position and turnover-like possessions. Gronowski’s rushing contributions — including short-yardage scoring — proved decisive in game management and late-clock situations.

Reactions & Quotes

Iowa’s locker-room response centered on program momentum and the end of a long stretch without wins over ranked teams. Coaches and staff emphasized growth across the season and keyed in on how situational execution produced the bowl victory.

Ferentz framed the win as validation of sustained progress and the team’s competitive resilience.

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa head coach (paraphrase)

Vanderbilt supporters lauded Pavia’s effort and competitive spirit while acknowledging missed opportunities earlier in the season that prevented a deeper postseason case.

Clark Lea and staff praised Pavia’s toughness and the Commodores’ 10-win campaign while noting the narrow margins that separated them from CFP contention.

Clark Lea, Vanderbilt head coach (paraphrase)

Draft analysts highlighted Gronowski’s short-yardage value and Vonnahme’s breakout receiving performance as elements that will draw NFL interest in specific roles.

Scouting notes emphasized Gronowski’s Day-3 upside as a physical backup and flagged Vonnahme as a future prospect for NFL evaluators.

Draft analyst summaries (paraphrase)

Unconfirmed

• Whether Mark Gronowski will be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft remains undetermined; projections vary between Day 3 and undrafted free agent scenarios.
• Reports that a specific NFL team will draft or sign Diego Pavia are speculative and not confirmed by team announcements.
• Future NFL roles for DJ Vonnahme are prospective assessments based on this performance and have not been validated by formal scouting rankings.

Bottom Line

Iowa’s 34-27 ReliaQuest Bowl victory showcased a complementary mix of defensive disruption and dual-threat quarterback play. Mark Gronowski’s ability to affect the game with both pass and run vaulted Iowa over a top-15 Vanderbilt squad and ended a long run without wins over ranked opponents. The result validates the Hawkeyes’ season narrative: a team that was competitive with top programs and one win away from potential playoff consideration had a legitimate claim to higher recognition.

For NFL evaluators, the game clarified roles rather than resolved draft status. Gronowski’s short-yardage toughness and Vonnahme’s receiving breakout bolster their professional case, while Pavia’s competitive traits keep him on scouts’ radars despite arm-strength questions. In sum, the game will be remembered as a platform for individual prospects and as a meaningful milestone in Iowa’s season under Kirk Ferentz.

Sources

• The New York Times / The Athletic — sports reporting and game recap
• The Athletic — sports media/analysis and scouting notes