2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Nissan Stadium Nashville, Tennessee
THE SERIES
• The 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Missouri will be the 14th all-time meeting between the two schools. All but one of the meetings came between 1892-1910. • This will be the second meeting in a bowl game as the Hawkeyes defeated the 14th-ranked Tigers, 27-24, in the 2010 Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. Micah Hyde had a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown with 6:19 remaining and Marcus Coker ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns in the game.
Iowa Hawkeyes Notes
HAWKEYES | 1st & 10
• Iowa accepted an invitation to the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl for the second time in three seasons. • The Hawkeyes have qualified for a bowl game in 12 straight seasons — tied for the seventh-longest streak in the FBS. • Iowa is one of five teams in FBS to have won at least eight games in each of the last nine completed seasons (Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State). The Hawkeyes have won 9+ games 10 times under head coach Kirk Ferentz. • Ferentz has 204 career victories as Iowa’s head coach — second-most in Big Ten history. With his next victory, he will tie Ohio State’s Woody Hayes (205) for the most overall wins in league history. • Ferentz has 10 career bowl game victories, which tied Joe Paterno for the most bowl wins as a member of the Big Ten Conference. • The Hawkeyes won their 700th game in program history in Week 10 against Wisconsin, becoming the 35th school to reach the milestone. • Jay Higgins and Kaleb Johnson are the 32nd and 33rd consensus All-Americans in program history. Higgins was a unanimous selection, the 15th player of all-time. • Iowa has had seven consensus All-Americans in the last five years and 12 in the last 11 years. Iowa is the only program in the nation to have a consensus All-American in six consecutive years. • Four Hawkeyes — Higgins, Johnson, Luke Elkin and Kaden Wetjen — garnered All-America distinction in 2024. • Iowa had two Walter Camp first-team All-Americans — LB Jay Higgins and RB Kaleb Johnson. The Hawkeyes have had at least one Walter Camp All-American in 11 straight seasons and multiple selections in consecutive seasons and five of six years. • Iowa had three players — LB Jay Higgins, RB Kaleb Johnson and KR/PR Kaden Wetjen — win Big Ten positional honors. The Hawkeyes were the only school to have three players recognized. • LB Nick Jackson has played in 72 career collegiate games — the most in NCAA history. • Iowa is averaging 199.8 rushing yards per game — the most for the program since 2002 (214.2). The Hawkeyes have rushed for 200+ yards in eight games (250+ in four games) this season, a program record. • The Hawkeyes led the Big Ten in rushing for just the fourth time in program history (1958, 1959, 1960, 2024) and rank 21st nationally. • RB Kaleb Johnson, who declared for the 2025 NFL Draft in December, rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 12 games — the third-most rushing yards in a season in program history. He finished with program records in single season points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). He scored at least one touchdown in every game. • Iowa is 32-0 when scoring 21+ points since 2020. Since the start of the 2015 season, Iowa is 78-4 when leading by eight points at any point in a game • TOs — The Hawkeyes have forced 24 turnovers in 12 games — 16 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries. The 24 takeaways lead the Big Ten and rank ninth nationally. Iowa’s 16 interceptions are the most in the Big Ten (ninth-most nationally) and the most for the program since 2021. The unit has at least one interception in 11 of the team’s 12 games. • Iowa’s defense is allowing 17.1 points per game in 2024. The unit has allowed fewer than 20 points per game in eight consecutive seasons — the longest streak nationally. Iowa is ninth in FBS in scoring defense and 16th in total defense (313.6). • The Hawkeyes have posted 12 straight winning seasons — the second-longest streak in the Big Ten and seventh-longest in FBS.
IOWA’S BOWL HISTORY
The Hawkeyes are making their 37th bowl game appearance and their second Music City Bowl appearance. • Iowa shut out Kentucky, 21-0, in the 2022 Music City Bowl. The Hawkeyes and Missouri were scheduled to compete in the 2020 Music City Bowl, but the game was cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within the Tigers’ program. • The Hawkeyes have won four of their last six bowl games. Iowa is 18-17-1 all-time in bowl contests.
MORE NOTABLES
• Iowa had 20 players earn All-Big Ten recognition, including five first-team All-Big Ten selections. The Hawkeyes had five AP first-team All-Big Ten selections, the most in the conference. • Sophomore Kamari Moulton recorded his first career 100-yard game, finishing with 114 yards on 12 attempts with a touchdown in Week 13 at Maryland. He had a 68-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, a career long and the second-longest rush by the team this season. • Moulton and Kaleb Johnson were the first Hawkeye duo to post 100-yard rushing outputs in the same game since 2016 when LeShun Daniels, Jr. (158) and Akrum Wadley (105) accomplished the feat against Nebraska. • The 20-degree temperature at kickoff in the regular season finale against Nebraska was the second coldest game in Kinnick Stadium history. • Junior WR Jacob Gill became the first Hawkeye to have a 100-yard receiving game since 2022 and the first Iowa wideout to achieve the feat since 2021, when he had six receptions for 138 yards in Week 11 at UCLA. • Iowa’s rushing defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards in six games, including just 24 yards in Week 3 against Troy and 43 yards in Week 9 vs. Northwestern. The unit allows 117.5 rushing yards per game, 28th-fewest in the nation, and it has allowed three touchdowns on the ground — the fewest in the nation. • Don’t beat yourself! Iowa didn’t commit a penalty in Week 3 against Troy and was flagged for only one penalty in three contests (Minnesota, Ohio State, Nebraska). Iowa leads the nation in fewest penalties (36), fewest penalties per game (3.0), fewest penalty yards (342) and second in fewest penalty yards per game (28.5). • Badger Beatdown. Iowa beat Wisconsin, 42-10, in Week 10, the team’s largest margin of victory in the series since 1968. The Hawkeyes’ 42 points are the most by Iowa in the series since 1975. • Iowa’s defense surrendered just 163 yards of total offense against Northwestern — the second game allowing 200 or fewer yards this season. The Hawkeyes did not allow an offensive touchdown in the game. • Complementary football… the Hawkeyes scored on offense, defense and special teams in the 40-14 victory over Northwestern — a first for the program since 2021 (at Nebraska). • Senior LB Jay Higgins is second in the Big Ten in tackles (13th nationally), making 118 tackles (9.8 per game). He has led the team in tackles in 11 games, including a season-high 14 tackles in Weeks 6, 7 and 8 against Ohio State, Washington and Michigan State. He also has four interceptions (tied for the most by a Power 4 LB) and two forced fumbles. • Higgins, who has 335 career tackles, has six double-digit tackle games this season and 17 in his career. • Graduate LB Nick Jackson made his 500th career tackle against Washington. He is currently second in FBS history with 547 career tackles and his 6.9 tackles per game this season is 11th in the Big Ten. • Since 2009, Iowa has had 244 interceptions — tied for the second-most in the nation. The team’s 35 interception returns for a touchdown are the fourth-most in the nation in that span. • Iowa scored 28 points in the third quarter against Northwestern — the most in a quarter since scoring 31 at Maryland in 2021. • Iowa rushed for 329 yards in Week 10 against Wisconsin — the most for the program since 2019. The Hawkeyes had four players rush for 50+ yards — a first under Ferentz. • The Hawkeyes are averaging 28.0 points and 331.5 yards of total offense in 12 games, which rank 66th and 113th nationally, respectively. • The Hawkeyes are 16-for-16 in red zone scoring opportunities (14 TDs, 2 FG) with QB Brendan Sullivan under center. • OL Gennings Dunker missed the final two games of the regular season because of injury. OL Nick DeJong started the two games in place of Dunker. The Hawkeyes started the same offensive linemen in eight of the team’s 12 games. • DB Quinn Schulte has made 39 consecutive starts (fifth-longest nationally among DBs) — one of nine active players in the secondary with 30 or more consecutive starts. • LB Kyler Fisher (58) games OL Nick DeJong (58), LB Jay Higgins (57), OL Mason Richman (54), DB Quinn Schulte (53), OL Connor Colby (52), DL Yahya Black (52) and DB Sebastian Castro (52) and DL Deontae Craig (50) have played in 50+ games as a Hawkeye, while OL Tyler Elsbury (49) are approaching the 50-game mark. Fisher and DeJong have played in 58 games — the most games played under Ferentz. • Michigan State did not punt in Week 8 against the Hawkeyes, the first by an Iowa opponent since Ohio State in 2013. • Since 2020, Iowa is 15-7 in road games and the Hawkeyes have posted a winning road record dating back to the start of the 2018 season (21-11 record). • Iowa has come-from-behind in the second half to win three games in 2024 (trailed 14-10 vs. Troy; 14-7 at Minnesota, 10-0 vs. Nebraska). • Iowa’s defense has allowed fewer than 400 yards in 37 of the last 40 games and 14 or fewer points in 25 of their last 39 games. The Hawkeyes have held 11 teams without a touchdown since the start of the 2022 season. • Iowa has played nine games decided by a single possession since the start of the 2023 season. The Hawkeyes are 6-3 in such games.
SECOND-HALF HAWKEYES
Iowa has been a second-half team during the 2024 season, averaging 19.3 points over the final 30 minutes. The Hawkeyes averaged 8.8 points in the first half in 12 games. Iowa scored 231 points in the second half; 105 in the first. • Iowa has scored twice this season on its opening offensive drive of the game. The Hawkeyes drove 62 yards over 10 plays before Drew Stevens made a 24-yard field goal in Week 9 against Northwestern; Iowa moved 41 yards over three plays for a touchdown in Week 11 at UCLA, taking advantage of a Bruin interception. • The offense scored on its first drive of the second half in five consecutive games (Washington, Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Maryland) and in seven games this season.
Missouri Tigers Notes
TIGERS, HAWKEYES RENEW RIVALRY IN TRANSPERFECT MUSIC CITY BOWL
The Missouri Tigers will put the finishing touches on the 2024 season with their 38th bowl appearance, facing the Iowa Hawkeyes in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Monday, Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. CT with ESPN and Tiger Radio Network providing live coverage.
MIZZOU IN THE MUSIC CITY BOWL
Mizzou will be competing in the Music City Bowl for the first time. The Tigers earned a berth to the 2020 Music City Bowl, but MU’s matchup with Iowa was canceled due to COVID-19.
THE COACHES
ELIAH DRINKWITZ will complete his fifth season as Mizzou’s head coach and enters the Music City Bowl with a 37-24 mark (49-25 overall). The Alma, Arkansas, native and 2023 SEC Coach of the Year has led the Tigers to bowl eligibility in each of his first five seasons in Columbia, making him the only MU head coach in program history to achieve the feat.
KIRK FERENTZ is 204-123 in his 26 seasons at Iowa and 216-144 overall in 29 years as a collegiate head coach. The 2024 Hawkeyes have been powered by one of the nation’s top defenses, led by All-Big Ten first teamer linebacker Jay Higgins. Iowa has national rankings of No. 9 in scoring defense (17.1), No. 10 in passes intercepted (16), No. 11 in first down defense (207), and No. 15 in total defense (313.6). The Hawkeyes also rank No. 20 in rushing offense and are powered by running back Kaleb Johnson, who has compiled 1,537 yards on 240 carries.
FIRST AND TEN …
• Eliah Drinkwitz notched his 37th win as Mizzou’s head coach with the Tigers’ victory over Arkansas (Nov. 30), matching Dan Devine’s program record for wins through the first five seasons of a Mizzou head coaching tenure. • With a victory over Iowa, the Tigers would not only notch their eighth 10-win season, but also conclude the year with three consecutive wins in back-to-back seasons, marking the first time achieving the feat since 1913-14. • Ranked No. 23 in the most recent Associated Press poll, the Tigers – who finished at No. 8 in the Associated Press’ 2023 rankings – are also seeking their first back-to-back Top 25 finishes since 2013-14, when they ended the year No. 5 and No. 14 in the Associated Press’ final polls, respectively. • The Tigers finished their 2024 Southeastern Conference slate with a 5-3 record, logging five conference victories for the second consecutive season – and for the third time in five years under Drinkwitz. • Of Missouri’s 20 victories over the last two years, 13 have been come-from-behind wins, including eight in which the Tigers have overcome second-half deficits. • Mizzou’s defense ranks among the nation’s best in several statistical categories, including first downs allowed (3rd), 3rd down conversion percentage defense (4th), scoring defense (20th) and total defense (22nd). • DE Johnny Walker Jr. brings the nation’s longest active sack streak into the Music City Bowl, with at least 0.5-plus sacks in six-straight contests (dating back to Oct. 19 vs. Auburn). • The Tigers lead the SEC and rank seventh nationally in average time of possession (33:08) and rank second in the league in fewest turnovers lost (9); Mizzou is tied with Oregon for the fewest giveaways (18) among all FBS teams over the last two seasons. • QB Brady Cook (8,726) ranks fourth on the Tigers’ all-time passing yardage list and enters the Music City Bowl just 73 yards behind Brad Smith for the No. 3 spot on MU’s career chart; Cook also ranks fourth in career completions (728). • Cook is set to become the first MU quarterback to start in four consecutive bowl games for the Tigers and brings a total of 26 career victories (26-13) as MU’s starting QB into the contest, which ranks as the No. 2 total in program history (behind only Chase Daniel’s 30 wins).
TIGERS AND HAWKEYES AT A GLANCE
• Mizzou and Iowa will meet for the 14th time and the first in the series since their 2010 Insight Bowl matchup in Tempe, Arizona. • MU leads the all-time series, 7-6, with 12 of those meetings coming between 1892 and 1910. • Mizzou owns a 5-2 advantage against the Hawkeyes at home but have gone just 2-3 in the series in Iowa City and 0-1 on neutral ground (2010 in Tempe). • Mizzou brings a cumulative record of 87- 133-8 against the current members of the Big Ten Conference. • The Tigers are 3-5 in bowl games against Big Ten teams. • The Tigers have yielded an average of just 4.7 points per game in their seven victories over the Hawkeyes, including shutouts on four occasions: 24-0 in 1892, 34-0 in 1895, 6-0 in 1902 and 5-0 in 1910 (MU’s most-recent win over Iowa). • The 2010 Insight Bowl was a back-and-forth battle in the second half, as Mizzou roared back from a 17-3 first-half deficit to seize the lead at 24-20 following a three-yard Blaine Gabbert-to-Michael Egnew touchdown toss late in the third period. But a fourth-quarter 72-yard pick six by Iowa’s Micah Hyde sealed the victory for the Hawkeyes over the 14th-ranked Tigers. • In that same contest, WR T.J. Moe shattered Mizzou’s bowl record for receptions with his 15 catches, eclipsing the Tigers’ record of eight receptions, previously shared by WR Thomson Omboga (2003 Independence Bowl vs. Arkansas) and TE Chase Coffman (2005 Independence Bowl vs. South Carolina). • Moe also broke the Tigers’ bowl mark for receiving yards (152) in the contest, helping the Mizzou offense set team bowl records for total plays (86) and first downs (32).
LAST TIME OUT – MIZZOU 28, ARKANSAS 21
• Missouri turned two fumbles into touchdowns – both forced by DE Johnny Walker Jr. – and RB Marcus Carroll ran for 90 yards and two touchdowns to spark a 28-21 come-from-behind victory over Arkansas in the Battle Line Rivalry on Nov. 30. • With the victory, Missouri retained the Battle Line Trophy for the eighth time in the last nine years – including three in a row – and kept Arkansas winless in Columbia (0-7). • On a cold and snowy day, Missouri won its 10th straight home game, completed its first 7-0 home season and posted its first back-to-back nine-win seasons since 2013-14. • The win was also head coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s 37th at Mizzou – equaling Dan Devine for the most victories at Missouri for a coach in their first five seasons. • The lead changed hands five times and Arkansas held a 21-20 advantage with 4:19 to play when Ja’Quinden Jackson scored on a nine-yard touchdown run – his third of the game. • But on Missouri’s next possession, QB Brady Cook capped a 75-yard drive, scoring untouched on a 30-yard quarterback draw with 1:53 remaining. WR Luther Burden III kept the drive alive with his first pass reception of the day, an 11-yarder over the middle on a 3rd-and-9, and scored the two-point conversion that gave the Tigers a 28-21 lead on a pass from Cook. • Arkansas moved into Missouri territory on its final possession, but on the game’s final two plays, S Joseph Charleston and S Sidney Williams broke up passes in the end zone to preserve the victory.
GOIN’ BOWLING
• Missouri will make its 38th bowl game appearance, and it’s fifth in as many seasons under head coach Eliah Drinkwitz (including its 2020 Music City Bowl berth that was canceled due to COVID 19). • The Tigers are 16-20 overall in bowl games, including a 3-5 mark against current members of the Big Ten Conference. • Mizzou has faced Iowa one previous time in the postseason – a 27-24 Hawkeyes victory in the 2010 Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. • MU brings a 4-2 record in Nashville – all vs. Vanderbilt – into this year’s Music City Bowl • The Tigers have gone 9-7 all-time in the state of Tennessee, including 1-2 in three previous bowl trips to the state (all at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis).
PERFECT 10
• Missouri locked up its 10th nine-win season with its victory over Arkansas on Nov. 30 in its regular-season finale. • With a victory over Iowa in the Music City Bowl, the Tigers would register back-to-back 10-win campaigns for just the third time in program history (joining the 2007-08 and 2013-14 Mizzou teams). • Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz is just the third Mizzou bench boss to guide the Tigers to a 10-win campaign, joining Dan Devine (1960) and Gary Pinkel (five times), and would be just the second to do so in multiple seasons.
PROTECTING THE ROCK
• The Tigers’ 9-3 record has been made possible by an offense that has not only controlled the time of possession in 10 of its 12 outings, but also limited turnovers to just nine giveaways to date. • Mizzou, which dominated the clock with nearly 42 minutes of possession time on Nov. 23 at Mississippi State, leads the SEC and ranks seventh nationally in time of possession, controlling the ball for an average of 33:01 through its 12 contests. • Additionally, the Tigers have turned the ball over just nine times — four fumbles and five interceptions — and enter the postseason with the ninth-lowest turnover total nationally. • MU turned in a turnover-less streak spanning more than 18 full quarters (plus two overtime periods vs. Vanderbilt) from Sept. 21 through Oct. 19. • QB Brady Cook, who set an SEC record for consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception (365) last fall, saw his 2024 string of 199-straight pass attempts without an interception (dating to Sept. 7) end on his final throw of the Tigers’ setback at South Carolina (Nov. 16). I
N THE ZONE
• Mizzou has been nearly unstoppable in the red zone, converting 43-of-47 (.915) trips inside of the opposition’s 20-yard line into points this season. • The Tigers have found the end zone on 28 of those possessions overall (59.6%). • Mizzou enters the Music City Bowl 99-of-105 (.943) in the red zone overall since the start of the 2023 season.
