Iowa 34 UAlbany 7 Iowa Hawkeyes use explosive run game to take care of business against FCS opponent UAlbany Great Danes

2025 Iowa Hawkeye Football is officially here

Under beautiful late summer blue skies, the Iowa Hawkeyes opened their 2025 season fittingly during rush hour. As the 5 o'clock pm sun dropped, new quarterback Mark Gronowski had the jitters as soon as he and his team mates swarmed into Kinnick Stadium. Fans will have to wait another week or so before they see signs of improvement in the passing game. But, all the questions of the running game seemed to get answered as "the Stable" of running backs more than helped to ease the minds of those worried about losing Kaleb Johnson to the NFL. Gronowski himself was a big piece of that rushing attack to keep drives alive as he accounted for 39 of the Hawkeyes whopping 310 yards of ground gain.

Mark Gronowski begins his Iowa Hawkeye single season career

Mark Gronowski completes his first pass as a Hawkeye to TE Addison Ostrenga on the opening drive.

RB Kamari Moulton picks up a first down before sustaining an injury

But the day belonged to redshirt freshman Xavier Williams who toted the rock 11 times for 122 yards and a touchdown.

In the 2nd quarter, Gronowski connected with Kaden Wetjen on a 4th and 2 play to give the Hawkeyes a 17-7 lead.

QB Mark Gronowksi steamrolls into the end zone in the 3rd quarter after a 15 play, 60-yard drive to give the Hawkeyes a 24-7 lead.

2025-26 University of Iowa Golden Girl Carissa Wolfe

Iowa defensive coordinator shares a laugh with former All-American and honorary captain Brandon Scherff

Senior LB Karson Sharar finally gets his shot and made the most of his first start with 4 tackles

DE Max Llewellyn

Perhaps my favorite performance of the game belongs to LB Preston Reis. While he hasn't cracked the two-deeps on defense, he's asserted himself as the special teams hustle man.

Preston Reis was credited for a blocked punt

Preston Reis makes another big special teams tackle and loses his helmet

RB Terrell Washington, Jr gained 69 yards on 15 carries

Mark Gronowski left the game in the 3rd quarter after cramping

Transfer QB Hank Brown (via Auburn) got some solid reps after Gronowski was relieved from cramping

Hawkeyes go on top 34-7 after Hank Brown sneaks it in from the 1 late in the 4th quarter.

Sam Philips shows his skills during a 4th quarter punt return

RB Jaziun Patterson saw some action in the 4th quarter

Freshman RB Nathan McNeil saw his first action as a Hawkeye late in the 4th quarter

K Drew Stevens booted two field goals of 28 and 55 yards

Head coach Kirk Ferentz is now tied with Woody Hayes for most wins as a Big Ten coach

The Hawkeyes begin the season at 1-0 and will travel to Ames next week to play rival Iowa State who is 2-0 and in the AP Top 25. The game will be televised as Fox's Big Noon Kickoff tilt.

CREATED BY

Dennis Scheidt

Credits:

All photos and text by Dennis Scheidt for HawkeyeReport.com of the On3 Sports Network