The long hiatus between the end of the regular season and the start of bocce matches around New Year’s Eve feels like another training camp for the teams. Given that many teams have around three weeks to prepare to face their opponents, there is more than enough time for storylines to bubble up around the matches.
For the Iowa Hawkeyes and Vanderbilt Commodoreswho will meet at the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve at 11 a.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., storylines abound.
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The Hawkeyes, always known for their tough and stingy defense, can test their game against Vanderbilt quarterback and Heisman finalist Diego Pavia, who will force Iowa to defend the run and pass this year. This match is headlining ESPN’s favorite storylines for the ReliaQuest Bowl.
ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 14 Vanderbilt against No. 23 Iowa (December 31)
Vandy-Iowa means that the last chapter of the Diego Pavia The story will unfold against a physical and often confusing Iowa defense and a generally underrated Hawkeyes team. This should also be a maximum effort game on both sides. -Bill Connelly, ESPN
Diego Pavia has lit up the air this year, throwing for 3,192 passing yards and 27 touchdowns while posting a solid 71.2% completion percentage. He also ran for 826 yards rushing and found the end zone nine more times with his legs.
Iowa’s defense is ready, though. The Hawkeyes ranked among the top 10 defensive scorers once again this year, ranking 9th, allowing just 15.2 points per game. Iowa has been particularly stingy against the run, giving up a measly 3.5 yards per carry over the course of the season. Through the air, the Hawkeyes once again had a strong secondary, as opposing teams completed just 56.9% of their passes for 158 yards per game.
Contact us/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
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This article was originally published on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa Football vs. Vanderbilt ReliaQuest Bowl Carries Main Storyline
