Overview
- Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski accounted for three touchdowns, throwing two and rushing for another, to secure the ReliaQuest Bowl win.
- A first-half miscue proved costly for Vanderbilt when punter Nick Haberer kicked beyond the line of scrimmage, setting up Iowa with first-and-goal before halftime.
- Diego Pavia completed 25 of 38 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns and added an 11-yard scoring run as Vanderbilt’s rally fell short.
- After the game Pavia said, “I’m going to the league,” and evaluators currently project him as a late-round pick or priority free agent with a Senior Bowl audition ahead.
- Pavia remains a plaintiff challenging NCAA rules that count junior college seasons toward eligibility after a 2024 injunction let him play, as Vanderbilt closes a program-record 10-win season highlighted by coach Clark Lea’s public endorsement of his QB to NFL teams.