Iowa Defeats Vanderbilt 34-27 in Season Opener
Iowa opened its 2025 season with a 34-27 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Hawkeyes controlled much of the contest, scoring touchdowns in the first and second quarters before pulling away in the second half.
Iowa's offense was led by running back Kamari Moulton, who rushed for 95 yards, while receiver Zach Ortwerth led the team with 7 receptions. Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia threw for 347 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown pass to Tre Richardson in the third quarter that briefly threatened Iowa's lead.
Iowa's defense produced critical plays throughout the game, with a dominant performance in the first quarter that included an interception and several high-impact defensive stops. The Hawkeyes' largest EPA play came in the third quarter when Iowa's defense pressured Vanderbilt, forcing a pivotal moment in the game.
The game exceeded the over-under of 47 points with 61 combined points scored. Iowa covered the 3-point spread, improving to 1-0 in the early season.
AI-generated recap · Aug 21, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Iowa | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 34 |
 Vanderbilt | 0 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 27 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Iowa | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 16-22 | 25-38 |
| Pass Yards | 212 | 347 |
| Rush Yards | 167 | 51 |
| Total Yards | 379 | 398 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| 3rd Down | 6-12 | 2-9 |
| Penalties | 5-53 | 10-53 |
| Possession | 32:18 | 27:42 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
(14:55) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass incomplete short left to #21 K.Wetjen thrown to Iowa28 QB hurried by #7 M.Sewell
PENALTY Iowa False Start (#70 B.Stephens) 5 yards from Iowa28 to Iowa23. NO PLAY
(14:52) #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 8 yards gain to the Iowa31 (#11 B.Longwell)
(14:12) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 44 yards gain to the Vandy25 (#8 C.Heard), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY Vandy Personal Foul (#2 R.Fontenette) 13 yards from Vandy25 to Vandy12, 1ST DOWN
(13:39) Shotgun #28 K.Moulton rush right for 8 yards gain to the Vandy04 (#7 M.Sewell; #8 C.Heard)
Kamari Moulton 4 Yd Run (Drew Stevens Kick)
(12:48) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Vandy23, for 3 yards to the Vandy22 (#2 T.Hall), out of bounds
(12:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush right for 10 yards gain to the Vandy32 (#36 J.Montgomery; #1 X.Nwankpa), 1ST DOWN
(11:19) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #6 T.Richardson caught at Vandy35, for 19 yards to the Iowa49 (#1 X.Nwankpa; #4 K.Entringer), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(10:36) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Iowa48, for 4 yards to the Iowa45 (#36 J.Montgomery)
(09:51) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Iowa46, for 3 yards to the Iowa42 (#3 J.Watson), out of bounds
(09:08) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia sacked for loss of 9 yards to the Vandy49 (#43 K.Sharar)
(08:31) #38 N.Haberer punt 38 yards to the Iowa13 #21 K.Wetjen return 4 yards to the Iowa17 (#8 C.Heard)
(08:25) Shotgun #26 X.Williams rush middle for 3 yards gain to the Iowa20 (#53 G.Seabrooks III)
(07:50) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short right to #15 R.Vander Zee caught at Iowa26, for 6 yards to the Iowa26 (#4 M.Hight)
(07:15) #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 2 yards gain to the Iowa28 (#94 B.Mann) PENALTY Vandy Offside (#96 K.Sydnor) 5 yards from Iowa26 to Iowa31, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(06:50) #4 J.Patterson rush right for 2 yards gain to the Iowa33 (#92 J.Stone)
(06:10) #28 K.Moulton rush left for 16 yards gain to the Iowa49 (#2 R.Fontenette), 1ST DOWN
(05:28) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski sacked for loss of 4 yards to the Iowa45 (#9 K.Koht)
(04:48) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short middle to #81 D.Vonnahme caught at Iowa50, for 51 yards to the Vandy04 (#8 C.Heard), 1ST DOWN
(03:59) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass incomplete short right to #26 X.Williams
(03:56) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass intercepted by #4 M.Hight at Vandy00, Touchback
(03:56) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep right to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Iowa48 broken up by #2 T.Hall
(03:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short middle to #28 S.Alexander caught at Vandy25, for 5 yards to the Vandy25 (#36 J.Montgomery; #43 K.Sharar)
(03:04) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia sacked for loss of 6 yards to the Vandy19 (#43 K.Sharar)
(02:18) #38 N.Haberer punt 59 yards to the Iowa22
(02:10) Shotgun #28 K.Moulton rush right for 1 yard gain to the Iowa23 (#10 L.Patterson; #99 J.Singh)
(01:28) #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short right to #48 Z.Ortwerth caught at Iowa24, for 7 yards to the Iowa30 (#22 B.Cowan), out of bounds
(00:47) Shotgun #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 1 yard gain to the Iowa31 (#2 R.Fontenette; #95 L.Zunk)
(14:58) #9 R.Dakin punt 51 yards to the Vandy18 fair catch by #4 M.Hight at Vandy18
(14:54) Shotgun #28 S.Alexander rush middle for 3 yards gain to the Vandy21 (#6 Z.Lutmer)
(14:12) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #5 R.Hoskins caught at Vandy30, for 11 yards to the Vandy32 (#1 X.Nwankpa; #6 Z.Lutmer), 1ST DOWN
(13:28) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia sacked for loss of 5 yards to the Vandy27 (#49 E.Hurkett)
(12:42) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short middle to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Vandy35, for 9 yards to the Vandy36 (#2 T.Hall; #4 K.Entringer) PENALTY Iowa Roughing The Passer (#57 W.Hubert) 15 yards from Vandy36 to Iowa49, 1ST DOWN
(12:12) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush middle for 2 yards gain to the Iowa47 (#57 W.Hubert; #48 M.Llewellyn)
(11:31) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Iowa48, for 9 yards to the Iowa38 (#2 T.Hall), 1ST DOWN
(10:44) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep left to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Iowa05
(10:38) Shotgun #28 S.Alexander rush middle for 3 yards gain to the Iowa35 (#44 K.Merrieweather; #90 B.Allen)
(09:54) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #6 T.Richardson caught at Iowa30, for 8 yards to the Iowa27 (#2 T.Hall), 1ST DOWN
(09:10) Shotgun #6 T.Richardson rush right for 2 yards loss to the Iowa29 (#96 B.Hawthorne), out of bounds
(08:33) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #3 T.Brown caught at Iowa28, for 6 yards to the Iowa23 (#6 Z.Lutmer; #36 J.Montgomery)
(07:57) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short left to #5 R.Hoskins thrown to Iowa23 broken up by #91 J.Pace
Brock Taylor 41 Yd Field Goal
(07:49) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short left to #28 K.Moulton caught at Iowa26, for 2 yards to the Iowa27 (#8 C.Heard)
(07:14) Shotgun #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 3 yards loss to the Iowa24 (#10 L.Patterson)
(06:37) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short left to #15 R.Vander Zee caught at Iowa37, for 13 yards to the Iowa37 (#17 M.Davis), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(05:58) #28 K.Moulton rush left for 5 yards gain to the Iowa42 (#17 M.Davis), out of bounds PENALTY Iowa Holding (#59 T.Lauck) 10 yards from Iowa37 to Iowa27. NO PLAY
(05:36) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short middle to #81 D.Vonnahme caught at Iowa45, for 20 yards to the Iowa47 (#1 D.Carter), 1ST DOWN
(04:32) Shotgun #26 X.Williams rush left for 4 yards gain to the Vandy49 (#8 C.Heard)
(03:57) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski sacked for loss of 10 yards to the Iowa41 (#22 B.Cowan), fumble by #11 M.Gronowski recovered by Iowa #11 M.Gronowski at Iowa41, End Of Play
(03:57) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass incomplete short right to #26 X.Williams thrown to Iowa40 QB hurried by #15 Z.Wood
(03:57) #9 R.Dakin punt 47 yards to the Vandy12 fair catch by #4 M.Hight at Vandy12
(03:57) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush right for 3 yards gain to the Vandy15 (#36 J.Montgomery)
(03:15) Shotgun #6 T.Richardson rush left for 2 yards gain to the Vandy17 (#3 J.Watson), out of bounds
PENALTY Vandy False Start (#22 M.Young) 5 yards from Vandy17 to Vandy12. NO PLAY
(02:07) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short left to #82 B.Coleman thrown to Vandy27, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY Iowa Pass Interference (#4 K.Entringer) 8 yards from Vandy12 to Vandy20, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(02:02) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep middle to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Vandy48 broken up by #2 T.Hall
(01:57) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Vandy26, for 12 yards to the Vandy32 (#1 X.Nwankpa; #3 J.Watson), 1ST DOWN
(01:43) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #3 T.Brown caught at Vandy35, for 5 yards to the Vandy37 (#1 X.Nwankpa)
(01:27) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #16 C.Spence caught at Vandy41, for 5 yards to the Vandy42 (#36 J.Montgomery) PENALTY Vandy Holding (#50 C.Mitchell) 10 yards from Vandy37 to Vandy27. NO PLAY
(00:59) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short left to #5 R.Hoskins thrown to Vandy28 QB hurried by #48 M.Llewellyn
(00:46) #38 N.Haberer punt 53 yards to the Iowa32, out of bounds at Iowa32 PENALTY Vandy Intentional Grounding (#38 N.Haberer)
(00:54) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia sacked for loss of 12 yards to the Vandy15 (#90 B.Allen, #49 E.Hurkett)
(00:46) #38 N.Haberer punt 17 yards to the Vandy32, out of bounds at Vandy32 PENALTY Vandy Illegal Bat (#38 N.Haberer) 5 yards from Vandy15 to Vandy10. NO PLAY
Reece Vander Zee 10 Yd pass from Mark Gronowski (Drew Stevens Kick)
(00:31) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #16 C.Spence caught at Vandy26, for 10 yards to the Vandy27 (#4 K.Entringer), 1ST DOWN
(00:29) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush left for 19 yards gain to the Vandy46 (#4 K.Entringer), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(00:18) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush left for 0 yards to the Vandy46 (#96 B.Hawthorne), out of bounds
(00:12) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #28 S.Alexander caught at Vandy46, for 6 yards to the Iowa48 (#36 J.Montgomery), out of bounds
(00:04) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep middle to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Iowa04
(15:00) #18 D.Stevens kickoff 52 yards to the Vandy13 #44 G.Fisher return 15 yards to the Vandy24 fumbled by #44 G.Fisher at Vandy24 forced by #25 K.Telander recovered by Vandy #36 J.Broxton at Vandy28, End Of Play
(14:51) Shotgun #6 T.Richardson rush right for 4 yards gain to the Vandy32 (#1 X.Nwankpa), out of bounds
(14:12) Shotgun #28 S.Alexander rush right for 1 yard gain to the Vandy33 (#48 M.Llewellyn), out of bounds
(13:27) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short middle to #6 T.Richardson caught at Vandy37, for 4 yards to the Vandy37 (#3 J.Watson)
(12:42) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush right for 1 yard gain to the Vandy38 (#1 X.Nwankpa; #43 K.Sharar) PENALTY Vandy Illegal Formation 5 yards from Vandy37 to Vandy32. NO PLAY
(12:19) #38 N.Haberer punt 47 yards to the Iowa21 #21 K.Wetjen return 21 yards to the Iowa42 (#44 G.Fisher)
(12:07) #28 K.Moulton rush right for 5 yards gain to the Iowa47 (#53 G.Seabrooks III)
(11:27) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short middle to #81 D.Vonnahme caught at Iowa50, for 6 yards to the Vandy47 (#10 L.Patterson; #11 B.Longwell), 1ST DOWN
(10:52) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short left to #7 D.Howard caught at Vandy41, for 6 yards to the Vandy41 (#3 K.Taylor)
(10:19) #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 15 yards gain to the Vandy26 (#8 C.Heard), 1ST DOWN
(09:37) #21 K.Wetjen rush right for 5 yards gain to the Vandy21 (#2 R.Fontenette), out of bounds
DJ Vonnahme 21 Yd pass from Mark Gronowski (Drew Stevens Kick)
Tre Richardson 75 Yd pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor Kick)
(08:36) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski rush right for 2 yards gain to the Iowa27 (#17 M.Davis; #10 L.Patterson)
(07:58) Shotgun #4 J.Patterson rush left for 5 yards loss to the Iowa22 (#99 J.Singh)
(07:15) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass incomplete short right to #7 D.Howard thrown to Iowa24 broken up by #22 B.Cowan
(07:08) #9 R.Dakin punt 49 yards to the Vandy29, out of bounds at Vandy29
(07:01) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep left to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Iowa32
(06:55) Shotgun #22 M.Young rush middle for 4 yards gain to the Vandy33 (#91 J.Pace)
(06:10) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #5 R.Hoskins caught at Vandy35, for 5 yards to the Vandy38, End Of Play
(05:25) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short right to #28 S.Alexander thrown to Vandy39, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(05:22) #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 2 yards gain to the Vandy36 (#22 B.Cowan; #29 M.Capers)
(04:50) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass incomplete short right to #15 R.Vander Zee thrown to Vandy33 broken up by #17 M.Davis
(04:44) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 7 yards gain to the Vandy29 (#24 N.Rinaldi; #29 M.Capers)
Drew Stevens 47 Yd Field Goal
(03:47) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush middle for 9 yards gain to the Vandy39 (#43 K.Sharar)
(03:20) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short middle to #16 C.Spence caught at Iowa45, for 21 yards to the Iowa40 (#2 T.Hall; #36 J.Montgomery), 1ST DOWN
(02:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short left to #3 T.Brown caught at Iowa36, for 4 yards to the Iowa36 (#3 J.Watson)
(02:35) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush middle for 9 yards gain to the Iowa27 (#36 J.Montgomery; #43 K.Sharar), 1ST DOWN
(02:13) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short right to #0 J.Sherrill thrown to Iowa18
(02:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush left for 11 yards gain to the Iowa16 (#1 X.Nwankpa), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(01:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short right to #0 J.Sherrill thrown to Iowa00
Joseph McVay 16 Yd pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor Kick)
(01:34) #11 M.Gronowski pass incomplete short right to #85 T.Meyer thrown to Iowa40 QB hurried by #96 K.Sydnor
(01:27) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short right to #81 D.Vonnahme caught at Iowa45, for 21 yards to the Vandy49 (#7 M.Sewell), 1ST DOWN
(01:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short left to #5 J.Gill caught at Vandy36, for 13 yards to the Vandy36 (#7 M.Sewell), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(00:24) #28 K.Moulton rush right for 32 yards gain to the Vandy04 (#3 K.Taylor), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(14:59) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 3 yards gain to the Vandy01 (#10 L.Patterson; #95 L.Zunk)
(14:10) #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 0 yards to the Vandy01 (#99 J.Singh; #94 B.Mann) PENALTY Vandy Offside (#96 K.Sydnor). NO PLAY
PENALTY Vandy Offside (#94 B.Mann). NO PLAY
Mark Gronowski 1 Yd Run (Drew Stevens Kick)
(13:28) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #28 S.Alexander caught at Vandy28, for 8 yards to the Vandy36 (#2 T.Hall)
(13:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #6 T.Richardson caught at Vandy39, for 5 yards to the Vandy41 (#2 T.Hall), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(12:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete deep left to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Iowa25, for 46 yards to the Iowa13 (#3 J.Watson), 1ST DOWN
(12:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia rush middle for 2 yards gain to the Iowa11 (#51 L.Gaffney; #95 A.Graves)
Diego Pavia 11 Yd Run (Brock Taylor Kick)
(11:18) #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 1 yard gain to the Iowa26 (#53 G.Seabrooks III; #99 J.Singh)
(10:43) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short middle to #15 R.Vander Zee caught at Iowa30, for 4 yards to the Iowa30 (#4 M.Hight)
(10:05) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short right to #5 J.Gill caught at Iowa35, for 5 yards to the Iowa35 (#4 M.Hight), 1ST DOWN
(09:26) #26 X.Williams rush left for 7 yards gain to the Iowa42 (#27 J.Lackey)
(08:38) #28 K.Moulton rush right for 2 yards gain to the Iowa44 (#15 Z.Wood)
(07:55) #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 2 yards gain to the Iowa46 (#96 K.Sydnor), 1ST DOWN
(07:15) #26 X.Williams rush left for 0 yards to the Iowa46 (#10 L.Patterson; #24 N.Rinaldi)
(06:35) Shotgun #28 K.Moulton rush middle for 3 yards gain to the Iowa49 (#22 B.Cowan)
(05:54) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short left to #81 D.Vonnahme caught at Vandy40, for 19 yards to the Vandy32 (#7 M.Sewell), 1ST DOWN
(05:08) #4 J.Patterson rush middle for 0 yards to the Vandy32 (#10 L.Patterson)
(05:03) #21 K.Wetjen rush right for 2 yards loss to the Vandy34 (#6 J.Matthews), out of bounds
(04:21) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski pass complete short middle to #81 D.Vonnahme caught at Vandy28, for 8 yards to the Vandy26 (#1 D.Carter)
Drew Stevens 44 Yd Field Goal
(04:08) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short right to #5 R.Hoskins thrown to Vandy31 PENALTY Iowa Roughing The Passer (#95 A.Graves) 15 yards from Vandy21 to Vandy36, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(04:02) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short right thrown to Vandy30 PENALTY Vandy Intentional Grounding (#2 D.Pavia)
(03:53) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short middle to #0 J.Sherrill caught at Vandy45, for 37 yards to the Iowa35 (#3 J.Watson), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(03:36) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep middle to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Iowa00 broken up by #6 Z.Lutmer
(03:30) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete deep left to #5 R.Hoskins thrown to Iowa01 QB hurried by #43 K.Sharar
(03:25) Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass complete short right to #6 T.Richardson caught at Iowa20, for 16 yards to the Iowa19 (#2 T.Hall), 1ST DOWN
(03:06) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 D.Pavia pass incomplete short right to #6 T.Richardson thrown to Iowa01
Brock Taylor 37 Yd Field Goal
(02:56) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski rush left for 9 yards gain to the Iowa44 (#10 L.Patterson)
(02:12) Shotgun #11 M.Gronowski rush middle for 0 yards to the Iowa44 (#15 Z.Wood; #24 N.Rinaldi)
(02:03) #26 X.Williams rush left for 11 yards gain to the Vandy45 (#11 B.Longwell), 1ST DOWN, PENALTY Vandy Offside declined
(01:55) Kneel down by #11 M.Gronowski at Vandy48 for loss of 3 yards
(01:16) Kneel down by #11 M.Gronowski at Vandy50 for loss of 2 yards
(00:36) Kneel down by #11 M.Gronowski at Iowa48 for loss of 2 yards