Hawkeye, Commodore Players Recognized with "Make It Possible" Awards
 By Joey Johnston
 Vanderbilt cornerback Mustafa Dannett and Iowa tight end Hayden Large were selected Tuesday as winners of the ReliaQuest Bowl's "Make It Possible'' awards, which are given annually to a member of each participating squad as voted on by their teammates.
When ReliaQuest founder and chief executive officer Brian Murphy agreed to the multi-year sponsorship deal with the bowl in 2022, he wanted to honor players who exemplified the values of his company, a Tampa-based cybersecurity firm.
"It's part of our mindset as a company,'' Murphy said. "It doesn't matter how complicated the challenge is, you've got to find a way to make it happen. We're here to do hard things. Businesses have to run. Our customers have to be satisfied. We tell our people all the time to do the simple things and listen to the customers.''
Dannett, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior, is known for his high-energy, team-first approach. Large, a 6-4, 250-pound graduate student, is part of a long-standing legacy of excellent tight ends in Iowa's program. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference and had eight catches for 52 yards.
"It means a lot to be here,'' Dannett said. "This (award) isn't just for me, but it represents everyone in our program.''
Murphy said Tuesday's award winners exemplify that standard. At ReliaQuest, that usually means the company's mantra — A.E.E. (Attitude, Energy and Effort).
"Who brings those qualities, day-in and day-out?'' Murphy said. "Who stands for doing whatever it takes?''
Best athletes? Maybe. Best teammates? Definitely. These players are considered the problem-solvers, the connectors, the ones who often selflessly work behind the scenes to help their teams become winning organizations.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz participated in a joint news conference Tuesday — some 24 hours before kickoff — and it provided more reminders that the 40th anniversary edition of the RealiaQuest Bowl was expected to be a contrast in styles.
For the SEC's Vanderbilt Commodores (10-2), it's an offensive showcase orchestrated by elite quarterback Diego Pavia, the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Vanderbilt has achieved 10 victories for the first time in program history and win No. 11 would only enhance what has become a storybook season.
For the Big Ten's Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4), it's a grinding, defense-oriented style that makes for an interesting matchup. This season developed into a what-could-have-been scenario for Iowa, which led in the fourth quarter during each of its four defeats. Now it's a bigger question: Can Iowa's traditionally tough defense (ranked eighth nationally, allowing 270.6 yards per game) stop the Pavia-led Commodores?
"My sense is both teams are excited to be here,'' Ferentz said. "You're looking at two teams that have earned their way here to Tampa. When you watch Vanderbilt play, it's hard to see a game where they're not playing hard. You don't luck into a 10-win season. They have a great quarterback — you want to be aggressive, but also very careful because it's like walking on ice — but they also have a lot more than the quarterback. It's a team effort.''
"We know we have a really tough opponent to face,'' Lea said. "We have such respect for the Iowa program. They have set a great standard for so many years, especially with that defense. We need to be at our best and we expect to be at our best.''
Regardless of the outcome on New Year's Eve, both the Commodores and Hawkeyes acknowledged they've had a spectacular time in the Tampa Bay area.
"We're grateful for the ReliaQuest Bowl and the bowl staff,'' Lea said. "I fought to be in this game. We wanted to experience this. This week has been so meaningful and everyone has been so helpful. This is the final climb for our team this season and we're excited to play for one last time. I think both teams with a spirit and an identity. That's why it should be a really great game. This is what college football is about. If I wasn't coaching it, I'd be watching it.''
"Our first trip to the Tampa bowl was after the 2003 season and a lot has changed since then,'' Ferentz said. "But one thing hasn't changed and that's the experience you get at the ReliaQuest Bowl. It's first class and top-notch. Every opportunity a team has to compete is special. We get to stay in a really nice city and get treated really well. They really know how to run a bowl game here. We're thrilled to be here.''
