If you’re checking your phone for an Iowa Hawkeyes football score today, January 17, 2026, you won’t find a live game on the gridiron. The pads are packed away. Kinnick Stadium is quiet, likely dusted with a fresh layer of Iowa snow. But for anyone following Kirk Ferentz and this program, the "score" that matters right now isn't from today—it’s the lingering momentum from their 34-27 victory over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
That New Year's Eve win in Tampa didn't just pad the win column; it fundamentally shifted the vibe around Iowa City heading into the 2026 offseason.
The Most Recent Final: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27
Honestly, the ReliaQuest Bowl was a bit of a shock to the system for traditional Hawkeye fans. We’re used to 10-7 defensive struggles where a well-placed punt feels like a touchdown. Instead, Mark Gronowski—the transfer QB who took the reins this past season—looked comfortable airing it out.
He finished that game with 212 passing yards and two scores, which, for Iowa, feels like a 500-yard performance elsewhere.
Key Stats from the ReliaQuest Victory:
- Final Score: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27
- Standout Performer: DJ Vonnahme (7 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD)
- Rushing Attack: Kamari Moulton (95 yards, 1 TD)
- Defense: 4 sacks, led by Karson Sharar and Max Llewellyn
It’s weird to say, but Iowa actually out-dueled an SEC opponent in a game that felt... modern? They finished the 2025-26 season at 9-4. While some fans were bummed they didn't hit double digits, finishing as a top 25 team after the offensive woes of the previous few years is nothing to sneeze at.
Why Today Matters for the 2026 Season
Even though there’s no kickoff today, January 17 is actually a massive day for the roster. We just passed the January 16 transfer portal deadline. While you’re looking for a score, Kirk Ferentz and his staff have been "scoring" in the portal.
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The big news hitting the wires today involves the haul of 11 portal additions. They’ve basically been rebuilding the depth chart in real-time.
- LJ Phillips Jr. (RB): The FCS All-American is officially in. He put up nearly 2,000 yards last year. Pairing him with Kamari Moulton gives Iowa a backfield duo that actually scares people.
- Lance Ingold (EDGE): Coming over from Northern Illinois. He’s that classic 6'5", 260-pound Midwest kid that Phil Parker usually turns into an All-American.
- Xavier Styles (DB): A safety from Robert Morris with an elite PFF coverage grade. Replacing Koen Entringer (who left for the portal) was a priority, and Styles seems to be the guy.
The "Outback" Omen
There’s this weird historical trend with Iowa football that people are talking about today. Every time Iowa wins their specific bowl slot (the Outback/ReliaQuest bowl), they follow it up with a double-digit win season.
It happened in 2004 (10-2).
It happened in 2009 (11-2).
It happened in 2019 (10-3).
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So, while the Iowa Hawkeyes football score today is technically 0-0, the "score" in terms of program health is looking pretty high.
What’s Actually Happening in Iowa Athletics Today?
If you’re seeing "Iowa" and "Winner" in the headlines today, it’s probably the basketball team. Earlier today, the Iowa men’s basketball team went into Bloomington and absolutely dismantled Indiana, 74-57.
Bennett Stirtz dropped 27 points.
Tavion Banks had a career-high 26.
It’s easy to get the sports confused in the middle of a January news cycle, but the football team is strictly in "winter conditioning" mode. This is the part of the year where the 9-4 record from last season is dissected to find the four points they needed to beat Iowa State or the two points they lacked against Oregon.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. A 37-0 blowout of Wisconsin in Madison was the high point; a 16-13 loss to the Cyclones was the "hide under the covers" low point.
For the 2026 campaign, the bar is set at 10 wins. That’s the Ferentz standard when the defense returns as much talent as it’s currently projecting. With the new 12-team (and expanding) playoff landscape, a 9-4 or 10-3 Iowa team is always hovering on the edge of relevance.
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Next Steps for Hawkeye Fans:
- Keep an eye on the official 2026 Spring Game date, usually announced in late January or February.
- Monitor the NFL Draft decisions. While some have stayed, seeing guys like Tristan Wirfs and George Kittle represent the "Iowa in the NFL" brand helps recruiting today.
- Follow the February signing day to see if any late-cycle high school flips occur.
The "score" of the program isn't found on a scoreboard in January—it's found in the fact that for the first time in a long time, the Iowa offense actually looks like it has a pulse heading into spring ball.