A strange penalty near the end of the first half gave Iowa football a huge advantage against Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday.
Perhaps hesitant to kick to All-American Hawkeye returner Kaden Wetjen, or scanning the defense for a potential running lane, Vanderbilt’s punter mistakenly went past the line of scrimmage before punting.
An illegal kick penalty was called and gave Iowa the ball at the 10-yard line with 41 seconds remaining. The Hawkeyes took full advantage with a terrific throw-and-catch to the end zone by Mark Gronowski to Reece Vander Zee.
The strange play became a significant swing in a first half that Iowa was controlling but not leading by much.
The Hawkeyes entered the halftime locker room up 14-3 after allowing just 118 yards.
