Iowa Hawkeyes football coach Kirk Ferentz (left) and Vanderbilt Commodores coach Clark Lea at the ReliaQuest Bowl contract signing on Dec. 10, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of ReliaQuest Bowl
Vanderbilt and Iowa face off for the first time ever for this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl on the day of New Year’s Eve.
Vanderbilt brings a historic 10-win season with an offense led by Heisman finalist Diego Pavia. Iowa’s famous defense is ready for the team’s seventh bowl in Tampa after a slightly disappointing 8-4 season.
But the Hawkeyes’ secret ingredient this year is in their offense: Mark Gronowski. The South Dakota State transfer set a program record of 15 rushing TDs by a quarterback this season, and became the team’s first member ever to rush for, throw, and catch a touchdown in the same game (vs. USC).
Either way, Tampa Bay wins. The bowl’s economic impact has reached an estimated $1.2 billion since it started as the Hall of Fame Bowl 40 years ago, Tampa Bay Business and Wealth recently reported. It was the Outback Bowl from 1995 to 2022 before the Tampa-based cybersecurity firm cut the check.
Teams will be in town five days early for events, including a beach day and parade.
Tickets start at $95 for ReliaQuest Bowl 2025, happening Wednesday, Dec. 31 in Tampa.
This article appears in Dec. 18 – 24, 2025.
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