Despite not making it to the College Football Playoffs this season, the Iowa Hawkeyes made sure the season ended on their own terms. Iowa’s program takes pride in its ability to respond with resilience, accountability, and unwavering effort in the face of missed opportunities and difficult late-season setbacks. Following Iowa’s decisive ReliaQuest Bowl victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt, which enabled the Hawkeyes to end the season with momentum and pride, senior defensive back TJ Hall perfectly encapsulated that mindset.
Following the bowl game, Hall gave a reflection on the journey and stated that the team concluded the season “the right way.” This statement soon came to define Iowa’s 2025 campaign. Before a terrible stretch dashed their hopes, the Hawkeyes had realistic hopes of making the College Football Playoffs going into the season. Iowa was behind the eight ball after consecutive losses to No. 7 Oregon and No. 19 USC. For many teams, that would have signaled the start of a quiet, disappointing finish.
That didn’t happen in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes locked in rather than checking out or planning for the upcoming offseason. The answer was prompt and forceful. Iowa finished the season with three straight victories, starting with a valiant victory over Michigan State at home. After that, the team put on a dominant road performance against rival Nebraska, which was a clear indication of their mentality.
Then came the bowl game.
Iowa put on its best performance of the year on New Year’s Eve at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, easily defeating No. 14 Vanderbilt. The victory was more than just another point in the win column; it was a declaration of the Hawkeyes’ character in the face of adversity. Hall clarified that finishing strong had been stressed throughout the season, not just during bowl preparation, according to Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register. Because it represented months of effort, development, and dedication, that focus, according to Hall, made the victory even more significant.
The moment had more significance for Hall. His last game in an Iowa uniform was the ReliaQuest Bowl, and he wasn’t by himself. The Hawkeyes’ victory over Vanderbilt was both emotional and satisfying because more than twenty seniors and graduates wore their uniforms for the final time.
Those players didn’t just finish with a victory — they left behind a standard.
In many aspects, Hall’s personal journey reflected the team’s season. Despite difficulties and inconsistent play during his early years in Iowa City, he persevered and worked hard to become Iowa’s best cornerback in 2025. By the end of the season, Hall had established himself as a dependable secondary player who was trusted to take on the best receivers on opposing teams. His ReliaQuest Bowl performance only served to further solidify that development. When evaluators watch his tape from this season and the bowl game, Hall’s confidence, physicality, and discipline should help his NFL draft stock.
More significantly, Hall’s leadership was felt outside of the statistics. His postgame remarks demonstrated a player who saw the wider picture, which is that a team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks is more important than winning titles or making the playoffs. This group perfectly embodied the mindset that Kirk Ferentz-led teams have long been known for. Now that the season is officially over, Iowa’s focus turns to what lies ahead. The transfer portal is open, the offseason has started, and roster choices will determine the Hawkeyes’ appearance in the upcoming fall. However, this team made sure its legacy was one of perseverance and determination before turning the page.
In 2025, they did not achieve all of their goals. They failed to make it to the playoffs. However, they resisted fading. Rather, they ended the season strong, united, and, in TJ Hall’s words, in the right manner.
