Iowa Player Quotes

TE DJ Vonnahme

Did he have any indication that he was going to have such a big offensive game today
"I knew that there was a lot of opportunity for me to get a lot of catches just based on Vanderbilt's defense and how they kind of dropped to a spot that didn't really match. But, yeah, I kind of just prepared that, just assumed that every single route I was going to get the ball. Mark (QB Mark Gronowski) got it to the right spot too, yeah."

On his 51-yard catch
"Oh, yeah. I stayed on my feet somehow. Oh, man. Looking back on it, if I just turned to the right, I could have had an easy touchdown. I just didn't see that guy. But, yeah, no, it was a great ball from Mark, and it led me to the right spot to where I could drop step and keep my balance, you know."

On whether they knew they would be successful on the third and long situations
"Yeah, we knew that most of the time their third down's middle of the field was open, either that or they were going to run some sort of cover three, so I just have to either keep up the seam or just cut it across. So, yeah, it was definitely important to keep playing back."

On how the connection built with QB Mark Gronowski has progressed throughout the season
"With him not being at spring ball, I mean, it was definitely hard to really build any connection. But after, I think, week four, I really started to understand where he wants me and how fast I really need to be to get to the spot. I was coming off the ball a little slow to start the year, but as the season progressed, yeah, I felt like the connection really grew."


RB Kamari Moulton

On getting a win against a ranked opponent
"It felt great. We've been grinding for this all December. We wanted to end the season with a win. So to be able to end the season with a win with all the seniors and just everybody, it's a great feeling and a very wholesome feeling, really."

On what has meant the most this season
"Relationships, like you said, but also our relentlessness. We never shied away from competition and just knowing that we're always in a fight and that we're always going to fight back. Just knowing that we had that dog in us to where we're going to be there and we're going to put in the work where we need to. So just having that feeling and ending in this way is just a very, very good feeling."

On scoring a touchdown in the ReliaQuest Bowl in front of friends and family
"It felt great because I was right in front of them, so I tried to hit a little dance with them and just show that I appreciate them being here. So it was a great feeling all around."

On what it means to get a win in the ReliaQuest Bowl
"You know, it's a great accomplishment. This is my first bowl game win being at Iowa, so being able to win and just end the season on a high note is a very good feeling."

On the Iowa offensive line
"I always said I feel like they're the best O-line in the nation. So just being able to do what I need to to broadcast how good they are, that's what I'm most glad for. DJ's really emerging as one of the best tight ends in the country, it seems, at this point."

On DJ Vonnahme
"I mean, since the start of the year, he's always been a hard worker. So for him to be able to show in these past few games, it's just something that I've always seen in practice. So I'm happy for him, and he's got a great future ahead of him."


LB Karson Sharar

On what a win in the ReliaQuest Bowl means
"Yeah, I was just, I was really excited for this opportunity, you know, coming in and playing an SEC team. They're a really good team, another great team. So, just looking forward to that opportunity and coming in here, we executed and followed the game plan and I'm really proud of our guys."

On the game plan against quarterback Diego Pavia
"Yeah, you know, our game plan coming in was trying to limit what he can do because, you know, he can really do whatever he wants. He's really talented. So, just being able to contain him, having eyes on him at all times, just making sure we limit what he does. And then just also just playing coverage on the receivers. You know, they got other talented guys too. They can get in the ball too. So, just overall as a defense, just maintaining and not letting them get big plays was a big thing. Just keep fighting throughout the game and I think we did that and came out on top."


OL Logan Jones

On the offense, putting up so many points this season and how much pride he takes in the offensive line having a direct impact on wins
"Yeah, it's been awesome. We've brought in the right guys, and there were so many pieces to this team that everybody was just doing their job, and we kind of harp on that. To be a part of an offense that actually was able to contribute, in years past we weren't doing as much, so to actually be able to help and truly be offense, defense, special teams, it's awesome, man. When you can rely on each other and trust each other, trust the defense when they go out there, trust the special teams, it's just a completely different dynamic. To be able to go out there and score, it's awesome. It's a lot more fun when you get to score a lot of points and guys are making plays. So, yeah, it was really fun this year."