Vanderbilt Football Prepares for ReliaQuest Bowl Showdown Against Iowa

Vanderbilt University’s football team is gearing up for a significant matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. Although the Commodores missed out on the College Football Playoff, they remain focused on finishing the season strong. Head coach Clark Lea expressed his enthusiasm during a press conference, stating, “We’re so excited to have this opportunity to close out a special season.”

The Iowa Hawkeyes, a consistent force in the Big Ten, present a formidable challenge. The team has achieved at least six wins in all but one season since 2001, with their last bowl game absence occurring in 2012. They hold a 5-7 record in bowl games, having won five of their last eight. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has been leading the program since 1999, emphasizing a culture of sustained success.

Vanderbilt’s appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl marks a first for the program. Lea acknowledged Iowa’s legacy, stating, “This group earned the right to go play against a really strong Iowa team. Iowa has long set the standard for what sustained success looks like.” The Commodores are riding high after finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record, the first time in the program’s history they have achieved ten or more wins. They secured their place with a three-game winning streak, defeating Auburn, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Lea praised his players’ efforts, highlighting that they ended November as one of the hottest teams in college football. As they prepare for the bowl game, he looks forward to competing against Ferentz and appreciates the opportunity to face a respected opponent. “I’m looking forward to being able to compete against his team and spend a little time with him in the process,” Lea said.

In addition to the football program, Vanderbilt’s women’s track and field team recently showcased their talent at the Winter Commodore Challenge, marking the start of their 2025-2026 season. Athletes recorded ten performances that rank in the program’s all-time top ten. Cross country and track and field director Althea Thomas noted, “We wanted to have this meet in December because our athletes have been training so well. This meet was a dress rehearsal.”

Among the standout performances, Cali Bryant secured first place with a mark of 1.74 meters, tying for sixth in program history. Freshman Janie Ford, in her collegiate debut, cleared 1.66 meters for sixth place. Additionally, four athletes advanced to the finals in the 60-meter hurdles, with personal best times achieved by Santana Spearman, Devyn Parham, and Taylor McKinnon, who finished second to fourth.

Thomas emphasized the importance of the meet as they transition into finals and prepare for the indoor season starting in January. “We had ten top ten marks in December, so that’s just a testament of what’s to come,” she said.

As Vanderbilt football prepares for their historic bowl appearance, they embody the potential for growth and success, while the women’s track and field team sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.