The Hawkeyes ended the 2025 season with a 34–27 win[1] over the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores in the ReliaQuest Bowl to finish with a 9–4 record (6–3 Big Ten). During the regular season, Iowa lost 4 games by a total of 15 points to opponents all ranked in the top 20.
After a sluggish first 20 minutes of play, the Hawkeyes running game came alive and the defense settled in. The 34–7 victory tied Kirk Ferentz with Woody Hayes in overall wins as a Big Ten coach (205).[9]
Albany Great Danes (FCS) (0–0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) – Game summary
This was Iowa's last game before the conference schedule and their first-ever meeting with UMass. The victory moved Kirk Ferentz into first place in overall wins as a Big Ten football coach. The Hawkeyes came out inspired, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions. Kaden Wetjen returned a punt 95 yards at the beginning of the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Minutemen in a 47–7 rout.[12]Kaden Wetjen earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.[13]
UMass Minutemen (0–2) at Iowa Hawkeyes (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Minutemen
0
7
0
0
7
Hawkeyes
20
10
10
7
47
at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa
Date: September 13
Game time: 6:40 p.m.
Game weather: 93°F (34°C), Sunny, Wind SW 6mph (9.7km/h)
The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play under the lights on a Friday night in Piscataway. The teams raced out to a 21-point tie in the first 22 minutes. The game pace slowed and Iowa pulled away in the fourth quarter and also blocked a crucial field goal. Kirk Ferentz maintained his unblemished record when facing the Scarlet Knights (5–0).[14]Kaden Wetjen earned Big Ten Special Teams recognition for the second consecutive week.[15]
Iowa Hawkeyes (2–1) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3–0) – Game summary
Indiana, boasting the #3 scoring offense (54.8) and #5 scoring defense (8.3) in the country, defeated Iowa for the first time since 2012. The Hawkeyes faltered in the fourth quarter and Indiana took advantage with a 49-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 remaining. Iowa had won nine of the last ten games in this series.[16]
No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers (4–0) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 11 Hoosiers
7
3
0
10
20
Hawkeyes
3
7
0
5
15
at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa
Date: September 27
Game time: 2:35 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 85°F (29°C) • Wind: SW at 10 miles per hour (16km/h)
Iowa won four consecutive games in this series for the first time in two decades (2002–2005), and blanked Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium for the first time in 96 years. The Hawkeyes capitalized on three Badger turnovers in the first half. Iowa was able to run at will as this was the most lopsided win for the Hawkeyes since 1968 against the Badgers. The Hawkeyes have outscored Wisconsin 79–10 in the last two matchups.[17]
Iowa Hawkeyes (3–2) at Wisconsin Badgers (2–3) – Game summary
The Hawkeyes battled an emotional Penn State team who was playing their first game just days after the firing of head coach James Franklin. Both teams had success running the football, but Iowa popped a few more big plays and outlasted the Nittany Lions. The Hawkeyes' third win in the last four games in the series sent Penn State to 0–4 in Big Ten play.[18] Senior defensive back Xavier Nwankpa earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Penn State.[19]
Penn State Nittany Lions (3–3) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Nittany Lions
7
7
7
3
24
Hawkeyes
3
7
6
9
25
at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa
Date: October 18
Game time: 6:08 p.m.
Game weather: 70°F (21°C), Cloudy, Wind NW 9mph (14km/h)
Game attendance: 69,250
Referee: Francisco Villar
TV announcers(Peacock): Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (analyst), and Caroline Pineda (sideline)
Minnesota has not won consecutive games at Kinnick Stadium in nearly 45 years (1981). Iowa dominated the first half, scoring in all three phases of the game. This was the most lopsided game in the series since 2008 as the Gophers never had momentum. The victory once again brought the Hawkeyes to bowl eligibility.[20]
Minnesota Golden Gophers (5–2) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (5–2) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Golden Gophers
0
0
3
0
3
Hawkeyes
17
14
3
7
41
at Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa
Date: October 25
Game time: 2:40 p.m.
Game weather: 55°F (13°C), Cloudy, Wind SE 10mph (16km/h)
Fox Big Noon Kickoff was on hand for this top 20 showdown. These teams had only played each other three times prior and this was their first meeting in over 30 years. Rain was a factor as both teams struggled passing. Iowa took their first lead of the game at 16–15 with 1:51 remaining. But, in their first visit to Iowa City since 1989, Oregon prevailed with a field goal, 18–16.[21][22]
No. 9 Oregon Ducks (7–1) vs No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes (6–2) – Game summary
Playing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 1976, the Hawkeyes took control early before stalling out down the stretch. For the second consecutive week rain was a factor but Iowa drove the ball effectively in the first half, leading 21–10 at intermission. USC outscored Iowa 16–0 in the second half to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Senior Mark Gronowski became the first Hawkeye to have rushing, receiving, and passing touchdowns in the same game in over 30 years. This was the first meeting of the schools since the 2019 Holiday Bowl. Iowa's last win at the Coliseum remains 1961, and The Trojans have an 8–3 advantage in the overall series.[23][24]
No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes (6–3) at No. 17 USC Trojans (7–2) – Game summary
With a first quarter 62-yard punt return for a touchdown, Kaden Wetjen broke a Tim Dwight return touchdown record from almost three decades prior. The Hawkeyes offense stalled for most of the first three quarters, but woke up in the fourth. Senior Drew Stevens kicked a 44-yard field goal in his final home game for the nail-biting win. Michigan State has only won at Kinnick Stadium twice in the last 30 years (2011, 2013).[25] Wetjen was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for a third time.[26]
Michigan State Spartans (3–7) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (6–4) – Game summary
The Hawkeyes have won 10 of the last 11 in this trophy series. The Cornhuskers were also out for revenge as they gave away the last two match-ups on last-minute turnovers. This marked the 15th Heroes Game with Iowa holding an 11–4 advantage as well as earning their seventh consecutive victory in Lincoln. After a back-and-forth first half, the Hawkeyes shut out the Cornhuskers in the second to get the most lopsided win in the series since 2017. Mark Gronowski also broke the Iowa single-season quarterback rushing record (491).[27]
Iowa Hawkeyes (7–4) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (7–4) – Game summary
The first-ever meeting of the two schools, the victory gave Kirk Ferentz the record for most bowl game wins as a Big Ten coach (11). Iowa started fast scoring a touchdown on a two-minute opening drive and benefitted from an illegal punt by Vandy right before halftime. The Commodores rallied in the second half behind Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia, but Mark Gronowski threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to earn his 58th victory as a college quarterback. Drew Stevens capped his Hawkeye career with two field goals, providing some margin while adding to his school record for made field goals.[1]
2025 ReliaQuest Bowl No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes (8–4) vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores (10–2) – Game summary
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
