Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz capped off a record-breaking season with an upset win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
The win over No. 14 Vanderbilt was important for more than one reason, including Iowa finally getting Ferentz another Bowl win.
The Hawkeyes entered the game without a Bowl win since the Music City Bowl in 2022, and it came dramatically over a team that nearly everyone was picking to win.
Vanderbilt's high-powered offense, led by Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia, was the second-highest scoring team in the SEC this season, but Iowa overcame that challenge to earn Bowl win No. 11 for Kirk Ferentz.
With the victory, Ferentz etched his name into the record books one final time in 2025, finishing a truly historic season.
Congrats, Kirk Ferentz‼️
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 31, 2025
The Iowa legend trails only Dabo Swinney (12) nationally. pic.twitter.com/vZHfC38037
Ferentz's 11th Bowl victory pushed him into first all-time in Bowl victories in the Big Ten Conference, and moved him to second nationally behind Clemson's Dabo Sweeney (12).
Ferentz's record-breaking year started early this season with Iowa's victory over UMass in week three.
After the victory, Ferentz became the all-time wins leader in the Big Ten with 206, passing legendary former head coach Woody Hayes.
Iowa's long-time Head Coach has been very emotional at times this season, and that was on full display once again after a victory over Vanderbilt.
While this season did not go as many people expected, Ferentz would not change it for anything.
The Hawkeyes finished the 2025 season with a 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten) record, including a Bowl win, had three players selected as All-Americans, and had the Rimington Trophy and Joe Moore Award winners.
Not a bad season for Kirk Ferentz and company, and everything is looking up for next season.