Under the Florida sun at Berkeley Prep High School, Iowa football continued its bowl prep with a focused, businesslike energy on December 27. With the ReliaQuest Bowl on deck, the Hawkeyes took the field in Tampa looking sharp, dialed in, and ready to fine-tune the details ahead of their matchup against Vanderbilt.
Let’s start with the quarterbacks. Mark Gronowski, the South Dakota State transfer stepping into the starting role, was front and center during warmups, getting his reps in and working through timing drills with the first-team offense. There’s a sense of growing chemistry between Gronowski and his receivers - something that’s been building over the past few weeks and could be key against a Vanderbilt defense that’s struggled to contain explosive plays.
Nearby, freshman quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski was also active, getting in solid work during throwing drills. While he’s not expected to see the field in the bowl game, his presence and development are worth keeping an eye on. The coaching staff clearly values his arm talent and poise - traits that could make him a name to watch down the road.
On the defensive side, Kelvin Bell had his unit moving with purpose. The D-line, led by Brian Allen and Max Llewellyn, was deep into drill work, repping technique and footwork with intensity. Bell’s group has been a strength for Iowa all season, and the energy they brought to practice shows they’re not taking their foot off the gas.
Koen Entringer and Deshaun Lee were among the defensive backs getting loose, showing the kind of focus you’d expect from a secondary that’s prided itself on discipline and ball-hawking ability. Iowa’s defense has been the backbone of this team, and they looked every bit the part during Thursday’s session.
Special teams got their time in the spotlight as well. Rhys Dakin handled punting duties under the watchful eye of head coach Kirk Ferentz, while kicker Drew Stevens went through his pre-practice routine. Both specialists have played critical roles this season, and in what could be a low-scoring, field-position-heavy bowl game, their execution will be vital.
Offensive line coach George Barnett kept a close eye on the trenches, where his unit has quietly improved throughout the season. The first-team offense worked through run fits and pass protection, building cohesion that will be tested against a physical Vanderbilt front.
Scout-team reps rounded out the practice, with Iowa’s backups simulating Vanderbilt’s schemes to help the starters sharpen their reads and reactions. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t show up in box scores but often makes the difference on game day.
This was a no-nonsense, high-intensity practice - the kind that reflects a team not just happy to be in a bowl game, but determined to finish the season on a high note. Iowa’s preparation is clearly in full swing, and with just a few days left until kickoff, the Hawkeyes look like a group ready to handle business in Tampa.