The Iowa Hawkeyes finally broke through against a rated foe, Wednesday afternoon.

Gary Dolphin on the Hawkeye Network. The 23rd ranked Hawkeyes built a 21-3 advantage midway through the third quarter them held off a furious rally by 14th ranked Vanderbilt for a 34-27 win at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa. The Hawkeyes snapped a 15-game losing skid to ranked opponents.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 54 yards and a score in being named the game’s most valuable player.

Iowa loses 27 seniors from this year’s team, including three members of a standout offensive line.

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea says the Commodores made too many mistakes and the Hawkeyes made them pay.

The Commodores finish 10-3. It was the school’s first 10-win season.

Gronowski was the key as the Hawkeyes finish 9-4. It is the sixth time they have won nine or more games in the last 10 full seasons.

Iowa outgained Vanderbilt 167-51 on the ground and the offense answered every time the Commodores got to within a score.

Vandy star quarterback Diego Pavia was 25-of-38 for 347 yards and two touchdowns. He was also sacked five times by the Hawkeyes and senior linebacker Karson Sharar had two of them.