Nashville, Tenn. – After losing to the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2022 VRBO Citrus Bowl, the Iowa Hawkeyes will seek revenge in the 2022 TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee.
The two schools will go head-to-head for just the second time ever as they were announced as participants in the Music City Bowl. As noted, the Wildcats came out on top earlier this year against the Hawkeyes 20-17 in the VRBO Citrus Bowl.
This will be the first time that the Iowa Hawkeyes will play in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. The organization was selected for the 2020 edition but the Missouri Tigers were forced to cancel the bowl with a COVID-19 outbreak within the team.
“I was really grateful to receive the call this afternoon from the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, something that they have been talking to us now for a couple of weeks,” said Gary Barta, athletic director at the University of Iowa in the team release. “Actually, we’ve been in great conversations for a few years and as most of you know, we were invited, and then that went sideways due to COVID.”
“But I know our players are excited. I was talking to a few of them yesterday about this possibility. And, first of all, I want to congratulate the players, the coaches. They have earned this opportunity. So, I’m really excited for them.”
The 2022 campaign for the Iowa Hawkeyes has featured a 7-5 record finishing third in the Big Ten West conference behind Purdue and Illinois. Wins against Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, Northwestern, Rutgers, Nevada, and South Dakota State highlighted the 2022 season. Although the organization had some significant victories in 2022, the losses hindered the Hawkeyes from making it to the Big Ten Championship game for the second season in a row. Losses included the first against in-state rival Iowa State since 2014, Illinois, and Nebraska. Iowa also lost games to the now-ranked No. 2 and No. 4 teams in the country; Michigan and Ohio State.
The TransPerfect Music City Bowl will be the 35th bowl game for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the first in the state of Tennessee. It’s the 10th straight Bowl invitation the Hawkeyes have received along with the ninth straight bowl game played. It will be the 20th Bowl game for Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.
“It is our 20th bowl now since 2001, and I think each one of them represent, I think a significant accomplishment,” said Ferentz in the press conference. “The other part about it, is each one is really something that’s appreciated by everybody in our team, our program. They are special opportunities for our team, most importantly our players, and just to have this happen is really a good thing.”
In his 20 bowl games with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Ferentz has a 9-9 record. Overall, in 35 bowl games, Iowa has earned 17 victories and will look for the 18th Bowl Victory on December 31st, 2022 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tickets for the 2022 TransPerfect Music City Bowl can be purchased by clicking here.
