Best social media reactions to Iowa football win vs. Vanderbilt
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There were plenty of narratives entering Wednesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl.
Iowa hadn’t won a game against a ranked opponent in over four years. Vanderbilt felt they were robbed of a College Football Playoff spot and were out to prove the doubters wrong. And the age-old conference debate between the Big Ten and SEC would get another chapter added to it.
The Hawkeyes walked into Tampa and took care of business for themselves and the Big Ten with a thrilling 34-27 win in this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl. The offense was electric, answering every Vanderbilt score in the second half. And Iowa‘s defense made some huge plays in the first half, holding the Commodores to three points. It all added up to an entertaining win to end the season for Hawkeye fans.
It also made for a celebratory mood on social media afterwards. Fans, media members, and even the Hawkeyes themselves had some fun on social media after the win.
Best social media reactions to Iowa’s big win
You sure about that? 😏 pic.twitter.com/X9HeplzpPC
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) December 31, 2025
Today Vanderbilt learned what everyone in the Big Ten already knows
You never wanna play Iowa 😂😂
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) December 31, 2025
Vanderbilt was a fringe playoff team all season because they played such a hard SEC schedule, despite losing.
Iowa was doing the same thing but in the B1G and was NEVER respected.
Put them on the same field and look who was better… https://t.co/pQqsK1XAz7
— Eric Lloyd (@EricLloyd) December 31, 2025
It is very funny that Clark Lea said non-SEC teams shouldn’t be allowed to make the playoff with the same number of losses as an SEC team, then Vanderbilt lost to Iowa to drop the SEC to 1-7 in their last 8 bowl and playoff games against the Big Ten
— Ian Miller (@ianmSC) December 31, 2025
Iowa absolutely manhandled Vanderbilt in the trenches today, that Big Ten physicality showed up.
— College Football Report (@CFBReport) December 31, 2025
Iowa never trailed Vanderbilt and the highly touted Pavia.
Chalk up another SEC LOSS.
It just means more.
— Joe Hugen (@Joe_Hugen) December 31, 2025
Many people (including me at times) did not give Iowa enough credit for how good they were this season.
The Vander Zee injury and Gronowski missing spring practice took a toll on this team early on, but they improved all season and showed that their ceiling is a team that could…
— Jon “JR” Rhoades (@jrs_rankings) December 31, 2025
Iowa fans will be chasing the “Mark Gronowski high” for years to come…
Just a perfect blend of a plus-level athlete with a good enough passing repertoire to kill defenses on both fronts.
Simply the best all-around offense I’ve watched at Iowa since Brad Banks was in town 🐥🤟🏻 https://t.co/kfalB6LQLA
— Rob Donaldson (@RobDFB) January 1, 2026
Congratulation to Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes! Hell of a season!
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) December 31, 2025
I don’t get to cover the Big 10 often, so getting to cover Kirk Ferentz and that entire Iowa team for their bowl game was a true joy. You quickly come to learn the love and respect that exists within that building and the sustained success comes as a result. Great way to end it!
— Taylor Davis (@taylorbethdavis) January 1, 2026
Iowa punking an SEC team in a Tampa bowl game. A Kirk Ferentz tradition unlike any other. Big Ten now 7-1 against the SEC these last two postseasons combined.
— BiggerTen (@BiggerTen) December 31, 2025
Beyond thrilled for Coach Ferentz, his staff & @HawkeyeFootball on becoming Bowl Champs! A tremendous group with tremendous leadership in all realms! Congrats, Guys! We can’t wait to see your trophy!🙌🏼😊 Go IOWA!!!! https://t.co/Yt2CJa229G
— Jan Jensen (@goiowa) December 31, 2025
Fun win for Coach Ferentz and the boys! Great finish to the season for a special team. Appreciate our fans here in Tampa & back in Iowa…Happy New Year Hawkeye Nation 💛🖤! #TogetherWeFightForIowapic.twitter.com/BDQyDxruKN
— Beth Goetz (@bgoetz12) December 31, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Best social media reactions to Iowa football win vs. Vanderbilt
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