Kinnick Diaries: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Tennessee Volunteers Cheez-It Citrus Bowl live blog
The Iowa Hawkeyes seek an 11th win on the season today as they battle the Tennessee Volunteers in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Iowa enters after capturing the Big Ten West title despite a series of injuries to key offensive players in quarterback Cade McNamara and tight ends Luke Lachey and Erick All.
Led by another sensational defense and group of specialists, Iowa overcame its offensive deficiencies en route to a 10-win regular season. Now, can the Hawkeyes find enough timely offense to upend the Vols?
For Tennessee, it wasn’t quite the same magical season as 2022 when the Vols burst onto the scene with 11 wins and an Orange Bowl thumping of Clemson. But, with its five-star freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava making his first career start versus the Hawkeyes, there’s plenty of motivation for Tennessee to play well in this bowl game and to jumpstart its hopes for 2024.
Can Iowa thwart those hopes for Tennessee and instead build its own momentum for 2024?
Follow along with us as we update in real time what’s happening from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., between the Hawkeyes and Volunteers.
Don’t forget to refresh the page to keep in touch with all of our updates.
One last time in 2023*
One Final Flight.
Let's ride, Hawks.@CitrusBowl x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/tBKWLJ7jw9
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 1, 2024
Officially Nico Iamaleava time on Rocky Top
Nico Iamaleava in full uniform pic.twitter.com/eNznamR7XJ
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 1, 2024
Time for centerstage
Stage is set.@CitrusBowl x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/fz1kf3bevT
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 1, 2024
Tory Taylor breaks the punt record
With his first punt of the game — a 62-yarder that kept on rolling and rolling — Iowa punter Tory Taylor has now set the NCAA record for punt yardage in a season. The broadcast completely neglected to mention it.
HIS-TORY 🤩@HawkeyeFootball Tory Taylor sets the FBS record for the most punt yards in a single season 👏 pic.twitter.com/KmCAnefsYs
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 1, 2024
Joe Evans forces a punt
“Mr. Iowa Football” as described on the broadcast, Joe Evans reaches the quarterback again for a sack to force a Tennessee punt! The former walk-on is playing his last career game for the Hawkeyes.
JOE ‼️‼️@joe_evans7 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/JWGspDLSfC
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 1, 2024
Deacon Hill Interception
Welp. Iowa drives down the field, the offense looks good, then Deacon Hill is interception after forcing a pass in the red zone. Truly an abysmal play by the quarterback.
Deacon Hill had all day, threw into double coverage and was intercepted in the end zone.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) January 1, 2024
Both teams traded punts
Just yawned and BOOM, both teams traded punts. Somehow the officials allowed Tennessee’s player to keep the return going… after pretty much laying on the ground… not sure how that even happens.
Call is overturned. Runner was down, obviously.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) January 1, 2024
Tennessee takes the lead
End of the first quarter, this game is all tied up at 0.
Tennessee takes the lead right away in the second quarter. 19-yard scamper by Nico Iamaleava. 7-0 Vols.
SCORE: Tennessee 7, #Hawkeyes 0
19-yard rushing TD on the keeper by Nico Iamaleava. Was a seven-play, 73-yard drive. All but six of those yards came on the ground.
14:54 left in 2Q.
— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) January 1, 2024
Tennessee goes up by 14
Another touchdown for quarterback Iamaleava. Iowa’s future OC should be taking notes on what a mobile quarterback can do. Tennessee drove down the field, yet again, just running the ball.
A mobile quarterback … Iowa's future OC should be taking notes.
Tennessee 14, Iowa 0, 8:12 2nd.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) January 1, 2024
Big stop for Iowa's defense
Jay Higgins provides the Iowa defense with a stop that they desperately needed after surrendering 14 point in the second quarter. Iowa’s offense needs to get SOMETHING going with a little under four minutes left in the first half.
Jay Higgins comes up with the third-down sack to stop the Tennessee momentum.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 1, 2024
Update, they did nothing.
Iowa down 14-0 at halftime
Not a good half for Iowa football, down 14 going into the break. The offense is as non-existent as it was last game.
Second Half Update
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Deadlocked in the second half here, Iowa still unable to figure anything out on offense. Deacon Hill will continue at quarterback and I’m honestly not sure why.
Marco Lainez still has the headset on. Deacon Hill will continue.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) January 1, 2024
An update on Iowa's horrendous offense
What a way to go out for Brian Ferentz. Iowa has five first downs, 89 total yards, and zero points as we close in on the end of the third quarter.
The Deacon Hill Special
There it is! Deacon Hill fumbles near the Iowa end zone to surely give Tennessee another touchdown. That completes the Iowa football bingo card!
Iamaleava scores his third rushing touchdown of the game to put the Vols up 21-0.
15 turnovers on the year but this is the guy you give all the keys and unending trust
— Black Heart Gold Pain (@BHGP) January 1, 2024
Deacon Hill completes the trifecta!
THERE IT IS! Deacon Hill throws a pick-six! He gets his touchdown pass, albeit to the wrong end zone! 28-0 Iowa, and hopefully everybody involved with the management of this team is embarrassed.
OH NO DEACON AGAIN!! VOLS PICK 6!!
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) January 1, 2024
Marco Lainez enters the game
It only took 19 turnovers from Deacon Hill to give another quarterback a shot…
Marco showing life!
WHY COULDN’T HE HAVE PLAYED ALL GAME?! WE HAVE A MOBILE QB NOW AND IT’S OPENING STUFF UP BECAUSE DUH! COME ON JERSEY LEGEND! GIVE US A TOUCHDOWN!!
HE JUST CONVERTED A 4TH AND 15 LMFAO
— Black Heart Gold Pain (@BHGP) January 1, 2024
Update: He did not unfortunately.
35-0 Iowa
Turns out this team is just bad. Simply a bad team.
