Hawkeyes return to Florida in Iowa football’s bowl game against Vanderbilt

TAMPA, Fla. — Clouds have covered most of the skies in Iowa City since Iowa football wrapped up its regular season in November. There hasn’t been many days with a warm sun.

But stepping off the plane in Tampa on Christmas Day — a day with no clouds in the sky and 80 degrees — the Florida-native Hawkeyes had one thought in mind.

I’m home.

“It definitely gives me a boost of energy and just a boost of excitement being here,” Iowa running back Kamari Moulton said. “We haven't seen sun in like, over a month in Iowa. So just coming out here there’s just very good vibes.”

Moulton is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — a four hour drive away from where the ReliaQuest Bowl is this year. Freshman running back Nathan McNeil is originally from Tampa, playing high school football just 30 minutes away from Raymond James Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Rashad Godfrey grew up 30 minutes East of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers’ stadium, too, in Plant City.

But unlike Godfrey, who grew up a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, McNeil is a Carolina Panthers fan — mostly because of Cam Newton.

Though McNeil hasn’t practiced with Iowa, all three Hawkeyes were thrilled when they learned Iowa would face No. 14 Vanderbilt in their backyard. It’s a chance to wear their black and gold in an NFL stadium they grew up nearby.

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Plus of course, all the family members and friends who’ve watched them play on TV now get a chance to see them in person, too.

“I definitely have a good amount of family coming,” Moulton said. “So it should be exciting. Get everybody just together and get to enjoy the game.”

It’s Iowa and Vanderbilt’s first-ever meeting, but the Hawkeyes’ seventh all-time appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly known as the Outback Bowl).

The excitement of an SEC-Big Ten, top 25 matchup adds to the homecoming feeling, but just like any other game week, the focus is always on what Iowa needs to do to win the game.

“It's a blessing just to have an extra game,” Godfrey said. “So to come back to my hometown, I’m just happy to be in the sun, just come out with my brothers and compete here, too.”

There are seven Hawkeyes that hail from the Sunshine State, with Jarriet Buie matching McNeil as the other Tampa-native. Meanwhile on the other side of the sideline, two Vanderbilt freshman — Nikhil Jefferson and Stone Owens — are ending their season back home.

Moulton joked that he’s already tried to secure lots of tickets for all the family and friends who want to come see him play, and his dad’s helping find a few extras, too. Godfrey said his family was thrilled when the bowl game location was announced, and they were instantly “bugging me” to find a way to get their ticket.

“I was just excited,” Godfrey said. “I turned to my teammates and said we could have fun here. The weather is cold in Iowa right now, not like here at all, so I'm just excited.”

With McNeil’s unknown status, he said he’s been focusing on his own daily improvement. McNeil played in nine games this season, helping provide additional depth to Iowa’s running back room during the Hawkeyes’ stretch of injuries during the beginning of the season.

He, like his Florida-native teammates, also has a lengthy list of friends and family trying to attend the game.

“I was excited just knowing that I can play and in front of my family, like at home,” McNeil said. “Everybody gets to come to the game. It's exciting.”

Exciting. It’s the feeling the Hawkeyes had stepping off the plane and feeling that warm sun on their face.

Then there’s the joy of being home for the first time in months. Iowa is a long flight away from Tampa, but getting to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl is a chance for the Hawkeyes to show out on their home turf.

At least, the home turf those players are familiar with.

“I always enjoy the homeland,” Moulton said. “It’s a great feeling.”

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