No. 23 Iowa football’s defense preparing for No. 14 Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia in ReliaQuest Bowl

TAMPA — How do you stop the Heisman runner-up?

That question has been plaguing the minds of Iowa football’s defense and defensive coordinator Phil Parker since the Hawkeyes learned their opponent on Selection Sunday Dec. 7.

The answer is a two-tiered issue. First, limiting Vanderbilt’s graduate quarterback Diego Pavia means Iowa’s defense has to make him uncomfortable. Whether that means the Hawkeyes have to force him to panic, even more bluntly, make a tackle, getting him off the field is key.

Then there’s the other half, maintaining consistent offense. That part won’t be as much of Parker’s prerogative, unless the defense forces a handful of turnovers.

“It doesn't seem like anybody has good answers for (Pavia),” Parker said. “He's a tough kid, and throws the ball, touching it all the time ... It's going to be a challenge for us.”

There’s one new wrinkle that might positively benefit Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl, however. Commodores head coach Clark Lea confirmed Sunday afternoon that Vanderbilt star tight end Eli Stowers has officially opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Stowers had initially been reported to opt out of the game prior to the teams arriving in Tampa, Florida, but Lea confirmed the news following Vanderbilt’s practice.

“I said this from the get-go, his health is our health, his success is our success and we support him and his decision not to play,” Lea said. “I'm also very happy that he's been around and been with us and will be with us on Wednesday, and so he remains an important part of this team, but obviously for where he's projected in the draft, and for all that that can mean for him and also for this program, I support him all the way.”

Stowers was Vanderbilt’s leading receiver this year, recording 769 receiving yards off 62 catches for four touchdowns.

But even without the newly crowned Mackey Award winner for best tight end in college football, Iowa’s defense still has to navigate a crafty Pavia.

Parker said if the defensive line, which will be littered with its starters — including cornerback TJ Hall, who wasn’t listed in Iowa’s depth chart initially — can contain Pavia, it could help get the defense off the field faster.

He’s a quarterback unlike any Iowa’s seen this season, but it’s the challenge that Iowa is relishing in the opportunity to play for its final game of the year.

“We all have to do our jobs and make sure that we can corral him,” Parker said. “It's going to have to take good pursuit, good awareness, good leverage. We're looking forward to it. I think our guys were preparing pretty well the last two weeks.”

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