Clark Lea says Vanderbilt football vs Iowa is everything a fan will want
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Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea talked about the Commodores’ similarities to Iowa and how he expects that to make for a good matchup in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Lea and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz were in Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10 to sign the ReliaQuest Bowl contract at Raymond James Stadium, where the game is being held. .
No. 12 Vanderbilt (10-2) and Iowa (8-4) will meet on Dec. 31 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN) in a game that will feature the Commodores‘ high-powered offense, ranked 11th nationally (468.5 yards a game) against the Hawkeyes’ No. 8-ranked defense (270.6 yards).
“It’s a little bit of mirror images, our offense and their defense at the high end, and their offense and our defense more toward the middle of the country statistically,” said Lea, who on Dec. 10 was named SEC Coach of the Year for the second straight year. “I think that makes for a really even matchup. A tough matchup.”
Vanderbilt is eighth nationally in scoring offense (39.4 points) and Iowa is eighth in scoring defense (14.7 points).
“The signature of Iowa football is tough and physical,” Lea said. “They play together. They have a lot of pride. We like to think that we’re the same. So I think you’re going to see two teams that are going to leave it all on the field and for the 13th game of the year and a bowl game. I think as a fan, it’s everything you’re going to want to see and I’m excited to be there for it, too.”
Can Iowa stop Diego Pavia?
Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Diego Pavia is the centerpiece of the Vanderbilt offense, with 3,192 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, and 826 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Ferentz discussed the challenge his defense faces in stopping Pavia, who on Dec. 10 was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
“We’re working on that. Luckily, we’ve got about a month, so I’m not sure we have all the answers,” Ferentz said. “He’s just a great challenge. He’s a winner. I have a friend that lives down in this area who says he reminds him of Baker Mayfield. I do know that’s not good for us.”
Iowa’s defense allows an average of just 158.2 passing yards per game and 112.4 rushing yards, meaning the Hawkeyes could give Pavia trouble.
“I’ve never known Diego to shy away from a challenge,” Lea said. “He’s excited. He’s been working hard at bowl prep. We’re finishing finals (exams) this week. Diego’s been great. We’re going to enjoy the chance to compete with him one more time. I’m going to be emotional when it’s done. He’s meant so much to us and I’m just grateful for the opportunity here to finish out with him.”
It will take more than Diego Pavia for Vanderbilt to beat Iowa
While crediting Pavia for his outstanding talent and achievements, Lea said Pavia will need help from his teammates in their chase for back-to-back bowl victories for the first time since 2012 and 2013.
“This is a team of guys that have come together and worked together really hard independent of any external opinions,” Lea said. “They focused on taking care of one another and the mission for us, which is winning, they’ve invested in it. They’ve sacrificed for it.”
While expressing some displeasure that Vanderbilt did not earn a berth in the College Football Playoff, Lea said that finishing the season in a bowl game will be special.
“We set our sights on a national championship, we know we’re going to fall short of that,” he said. “But we’re not disappointed with the fact that we have one more opportunity. We celebrate that fact. We’re excited to get to spend the next couple of weeks together. We’re going to have fun when we’re here on site, we’re going to have fun when we’re in Nashville prepping and we’ll have a little time for Christmas in between, which is great.”
Iowa happy to be back at the ReliaQuest Bowl
This will mark the seventh time Iowa has played in the ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl), and Ferentz said the Hawkeyes are happy to be back.
They are 3-3 in the bowl; their most recent appearance was in the 2018 season, when they defeated Mississippi State 27-22.
“Our first year here was 2003 playing Florida and that was my first experience here,” Ferentz said. “It was just great on every front. The players had a great experience as well. You look 20-something years later now and we’re really excited to be back.”
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football’s Clark Lea says bowl opponent Iowa is mirror image
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