Getting transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski ready for Big Ten play was an emphasis last week for Iowa.
The Hawkeyes have received modest passing contributions from their new signal caller and would cherish a breakout game when they visit unbeaten Rutgers on Friday night in Piscataway, N.J., in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
Gronowski, formerly a highly acclaimed FCS quarterback for South Dakota State, passed for 44 and 83 yards, respectively, over his first two Iowa games. The production was better last week when he had 179 yards, two passing scores and one rushing TD in a 47-7 rout of UMass.
“I felt a lot more confident going into the game, allowing myself to play free, and understanding that at the end of the day it is just a game,” Gronowski said Tuesday. “I’ve got to go be myself, and I’ve done it before. I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said that leading rusher Xavier Williams (186 yards, one TD) will miss the Rutgers game and that running back Kamari Moulton (missed last two games) will return.
Iowa (2-1) features a strong returner as Kaden Wetjen racked up 216 yards (182 punt, 34 kickoff) against UMass. Wetjen’s 95-yard punt return score tied the school and Big Ten records, while the 182 punt return yards rank fourth in Big Ten history.
Saturday’s victory was the 206th of Ferentz’s career, allowing him to surpass the longstanding conference record of former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes.
Rutgers (3-0) is looking to win its first four games for the second straight season.
Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano said Iowa is one of the toughest teams on the club’s 2025 slate. He also noted Ferentz’s milestone win over the weekend.
“When you play his teams, you know they’re tough, they’re disciplined and they’re well-coached,” Schiano said. “They’re never going to lose the game. You have to defeat them and that’s quite a challenge.”
The Scarlet Knights are averaging 46.3 points per game against a soft slate — Ohio, Miami (Ohio) and FCS Norfolk State.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 820 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. Antwan Raymond is the leader on the ground with 248 rushing yards and five scores.
Top receiver Ian Strong (16 catches, 216 yards, two touchdowns in two games) missed last Saturday’s 60-10 rout of Norfolk State and Schiano is unsure if he can return this week.
Iowa has won all four meetings. The most recent was a 22-0 win in 2023 at Iowa City.
