College football scores today delivered stunning upsets and record-breaking performances on the final day of 2025. The **23rd-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes** shocked the college football world with a 34-27 victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, capturing their first win over a top-25 opponent in more than four years. Meanwhile, the Duke Blue Devils outlasted Arizona State in a high-scoring Sun Bowl shootout, 42-39, in one of the most dramatic finishes of bowl season.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Iowa defeated Vanderbilt 34-27 in the ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
- Mark Gronowski earned game MVP honors with 266 total yards and 3 touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing) for the Hawkeyes
- Duke’s Darian Mensah led the Blue Devils’ comeback with 4 touchdown passes in the Sun Bowl final, despite Duke trailing late in the fourth quarter
- Arizona State and Duke combined for 52 first-half points, the highest-scoring first half in Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl history
Iowa Stuns Vanderbilt with Clutch ReliaQuest Bowl Upset
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The 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes came into the game as underdogs against No.14 Vanderbilt, but Iowa’s disciplined team play and Gronowski’s dual-threat performance proved too much for the Commodores. Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia put together a strong second-half comeback attempt, completing 347 passing yards, but the Iowa defense bent without breaking in crucial moments.
Kamari Moulton led the Hawkeyes ground attack with 95 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 14 carries, providing the offensive balance that frustrated Vanderbilt’s pass rush. The win improved Iowa to 9-4 on the season while Vanderbilt dropped to 10-3 despite showing remarkable resilience. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz‘s squad demonstrated why they earned their bowl invitation by controlling the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter when the game mattered most.
Gronowski’s MVP Performance Leads Iowa Past Ranked Opponent
| Statistic | Iowa | Vanderbilt |
| Final Score | 34 | 27 |
| Passing Yards | 212 (Gronowski) | 347 (Pavia) |
| Rushing Yards | 95 (Moulton) | TBA |
| Total Touchdowns | 4 | 3 |
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Mark Gronowski’s exceptional range as Iowa’s quarterback proved the decisive factor in the ReliaQuest Bowl victory. Beyond his 212 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, the junior signal-caller added 1 rushing touchdown to account for 3 total TDs. This dual-threat capability gave Vanderbilt’s defense constant headaches, particularly in the critical fourth quarter when Iowa needed to control the clock and dictate terms.
“Whether it was being left out of the College Football Playoff or the game script, this team showed incredible resilience and execution when it mattered most.”
— Vanderbilt Football Staff, Game Analysis
Duke’s Historic Shootout Victory Over Arizona State in Sun Bowl
The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl delivered the most breathtaking offensive display of the bowl season as Duke and Arizona State combined for a historic offensive showcase. Both teams’ high-powered offenses kept the crowd on edge throughout a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lead changes and stunning late-game drama.
The offensive explosion set a new record for the Sun Bowl’s storied history. Duke led Arizona State 28-24 at halftime, but the Sun Devils refused to quit, with Jeff Sims and the Arizona State offense continuing to pressure the Blue Devils’ secondary. However, Duke’s Darian Mensah ultimately prevailed in the fourth-quarter fireworks, connect with receivers for critical completions that preserved the Blue Devils’ 42-39 victory.
Darian Mensah Delivers Four-Touchdown Performance in Sun Bowl Victory
Darian Mensah, the ACC’s prolific passer who finished the regular season with 3,646 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes, capped his outstanding 2025 campaign with a dynamic bowl performance. The Duke quarterback threw 4 touchdown passes in the high-scoring affair, showcasing why he earned ACC Championship Game MVP honors earlier this postseason.
Que’Sean Brown emerged as a crucial target for Mensah down the stretch, including a catch that helped set up the go-ahead score in the final moments. Mensah’s playmaking ability and decision-making under pressure demonstrated why the Duke community voted to bring him back for the 2026 season, signaling the Blue Devils’ future remains bright. His performance marked the fitting conclusion to an unprecedented ACC championship season for the historic program.
What This Means for Both Programs Moving Forward?
Iowa’s upset victory proves the Hawkeyes can compete with ranked opponents and provides Kirk Ferentz’s program with major momentum heading into the 2026 season. The win over Vanderbilt, despite being a ranked squad that had significant tournament aspirations, establishes Iowa as a team that can execute in high-pressure situations. With Gronowski returning and critical defensive pieces in place, the Hawkeyes have legitimate reasons for optimism about next season.
For Duke, the Sun Bowl victory caps an improbable run to an ACC championship and demonstrates the program’s competitive upside. Though the Blue Devils missed the College Football Playoff, Mensah’s return next season suggests Duke basketball won’t be the only sport drawing significant championship hype on campus. Arizona State showed resilience in the loss but missed opportunities, particularly their 1-for-4 fourth-down conversion rate, that proved costly in the tight contest.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.