At a Glance
- Iowa scores a touchdown late in the first half after Vanderbilt punter’s illegal kick.
- The 5-yard penalty moved the ball to the Vandy 10.
- Reece Vander Zee’s catch of a Mark Gronowski pass gave Iowa a 14-3 lead.
- Why it matters: The play shifted momentum and set the tone for the Hawkeyes’ early advantage.
In the ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, Iowa turned a questionable punting play into a scoring opportunity, extending their lead before halftime. The controversial illegal kick by Vanderbilt’s punter Nick Haberer sparked a 5-yard penalty that gave the Hawkeyes a fresh set of downs at the Vandy 10. A touchdown pass from Mark Gronowski to Reece Vander Zee sealed a 14-3 advantage for the Hawkeyes.
Illegal Kick
On fourth down at the Vandy 15, punter Nick Haberer took the snap and began moving toward the line of scrimmage as if to wait for the coverage team to get downfield. He stepped over the 15 before sending a punt 53 yards out of bounds at the Iowa 32. Haberer was flagged for an illegal kick, and the 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul gave the Hawkeyes possession at the Vandy 10.
Key elements of the play:
- Haberer stepped over the 15 before punting.
- The punt went 53 yards out of bounds.
- The illegal kick penalty moved the ball to the Vandy 10.
Touchdown
On the next play, Reece Vander Zee caught a pass from Mark Gronowski for a touchdown, pushing the score to 14-3. The play came just after the penalty, giving Iowa a quick scoring opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- The illegal kick penalty gave Iowa a fresh set of downs at the Vandy 10.
- Reece Vander Zee’s touchdown pass from Mark Gronowski sealed a 14-3 lead.
- The play exemplified how a single penalty can swing momentum in college football.
The illegal kick and subsequent touchdown exemplified how a single penalty can swing momentum in college football.
