Three days remain until Iowa’s ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with No. 14 Vanderbilt, and the Hawkeyes are arriving in Tampa with a renewed sense of purpose and passion before kickoff on Wednesday. Iowa traded holiday downtime for preparation when they arrived in Florida on Christmas Day, and the team started practicing right away.
The location is well known. The Hawkeyes are making their seventh trip to Raymond James Stadium and their first since the ReliaQuest Bowl replaced the Outback Bowl. Iowa understands what it takes to compete on this stage, and even though the name has changed, the atmosphere and stakes are still the same.
But returning to Tampa was not at all simple. The regular season for Iowa was difficult, with close margins and fierce competition. The Hawkeyes finished with an overall record of 8-4 and a Big Ten record of 6-3. All four of their defeats came at the hands of ranked opponents by a mere 15 points. That statistic, in many respects, sums up the season. Seldom was Iowa outmatched. Rather, they battled through one-possession games and demonstrated week after week that they could compete with some of the top teams in the country.
Tom Moore, a former quarterback for Iowa, stopped by to speak to the team. His remarks struck a deep chord with both coaches and players. Moore, who played for the Hawkeyes from 1958 to 1960, spoke not only as a former student but also as someone whose life has been influenced by football in general and Iowa in particular. In a locker room full of players getting ready for one last test together, he told the team that they make alumni proud with the way they compete and conduct themselves.
Moore offered an insightful and humorous personal reflection. He claimed that attending the University of Iowa was the best choice he had ever made, aside from getting married. It was a straightforward statement, but it had significance, particularly for a group of young men negotiating the demands and unpredictabilities of contemporary college football.
He has a strong bond with the program. Moore stayed in Iowa City as a graduate assistant from 1961 to 1962 after his playing career ended before starting a more than 60-year coaching career. He has worked with many organizations as an assistant coach or consultant in the NFL since 1977, establishing himself as one of the most reputable offensive minds in the league. His attendance at Iowa’s Tampa practice felt almost inevitable because he has been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff since 2019.
The timing was ideal for the Hawkeyes. It can be emotionally challenging during bowl season. Excitement, exhaustion, and the knowledge that this game marks the conclusion of a protracted journey are all being balanced by players. It was reassuring to hear from someone like Moore, who has experienced every aspect of the game and still speaks of Iowa with sincere pride. The presence of alumni during bowl preparation has a potent effect. By reminding players that the jersey they wear carries decades of history and shared experiences, it bridges generations. Moore’s message had nothing to do with strategy or plan. It was about working hard, feeling proud of themselves, and enjoying the chance that was in front of them.
These themes are prevalent as Iowa gets ready to play a strong Vanderbilt team. The Hawkeyes are aware that in order to win, they must play physical, clean football. Iowa’s confidence stems from a season that demonstrated how close they are to making an impact in games like these, but Vanderbilt’s ranking and explosive potential demand respect. The game on Wednesday isn’t just another bowl game. It’s an opportunity to honor the legacy of those who came before, reward a fan base that persevered through every turn, and cap off a hard-fought season. The Hawkeyes will be inspired and well-prepared on the field if they can emulate Tom Moore’s pride and wisdom.
