Tag: Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) slides during a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa stages second-half comeback to top reeling Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Mark Gronowski ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night and Iowa rallied from a 21-10 third-quarter deficit to edge visiting Penn State 25-24 in Iowa City.

Gronowski’s 67-yard run set up the winning score, an 8-yard run on a jet sweep by receiver Kaden Wetjen with 3:54 remaining. The Nittany Lions’ final chance to win ended on a 4th-and-4 incompletion as a scrambling Ethan Grunkemeyer tried to hit Trebor Pena over the middle with 1:14 remaining.

Gronowski completed 10 of 16 passes for 68 yards, bringing the Hawkeyes (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten Conference) within 21-16 via a 4-yard touchdown run at the 4:19 mark of the third quarter. Drew Stevens added a 31-yard field goal to trim the deficit to two before Ryan Barker converted from 32 for Penn State with 4:56 left in the game.

Grunkemeyer, making his first start in place of the injured Drew Allar, connected on 15 of 28 passes for just 93 yards and tossed two interceptions. Kaytron Allen was most of the offense for the Nittany Lions (3-4, 0-4) with 145 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their fourth straight loss.

Playing its first game under interim coach Terry Smith after James Franklin was fired on Sunday, Penn State initiated the scoring with its first possession of the night. Allen burrowed in from the 1 on 4th down at the 8:26 mark, one play after a penalty extended the march.

Iowa answered with Stevens’ 39-yard field goal later in the first quarter, then took its first lead when Gronowski snuck in from the 1 with 1:14 left. That came two plays after Xavier Nwankpa picked off Grunkemeyer and returned it 28 yards to the 1.

The Hawkeyes got aggressive at the end of the half in a bid to extend the lead and it bit them. They had Stevens attempt a 66-yard field goal on the final play, but it was blocked by Xavier Gilliam and returned 35 yards by Elliot Washington for the go-ahead touchdown as time expired, making it 14-10 Nittany Lions at the break.

–Field Level Media

Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith talks with CB Elliot Washington II (16) during football media day at Beaver Stadium on Sunday, August 6, 2023, in State College.

Penn State launches post-James Franklin era at Iowa

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There is picking up the pieces and then there is what Penn State is trying to do this week.

Three consecutive losses not only dropped the Nittany Lions from No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 to zero votes in the poll, but the results dropped Penn State’s confidence in 12th-year coach James Franklin to zero. He was fired on Sunday, a day after the Nittany Lions’ stunning 22-21 home defeat to Northwestern.

Interim head coach Terry Smith and the players will try to make something good happen Saturday night when they travel to Iowa for a Big Ten matchup.

“We got our coach fired,” senior offensive lineman Nick Dawkins said. “We didn’t play well enough. We didn’t do our job good enough and now he doesn’t have a job anymore. For us, at least as players, it’s an overwhelming sense of guilt.”

Making the task tougher is that senior quarterback Drew Allar is out for the year due to a severe left leg injury he sustained on his team’s next-to-last snap against Northwestern. Redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who ran for no gain on the team’s last play, replaces Allar.

The Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) and their new quarterback now must face the Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-1), who just played their best game of the year, a 37-0 win at Wisconsin. Iowa permits just 13 points per game.

Almost as notable? Iowa is at least resembling an average FBS team on offense, a big step over recent years. The Hawkeyes are averaging 30.7 points per game and have scored 37 and 38 points in their two conference wins.

Despite Penn State’s recent issues, veteran Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz isn’t underestimating what the Nittany Lions could bring to the table.

“It’s going to be a big-time challenge,” he said. “It’s a really talented football team we’re playing against. They’ve got good players at every position. They had a change on Sunday, which was big news, but I’m sure Coach (Smith) will do a good job tying it together.”

The Nittany Lions own an 18-14 lead in the all-time series after winning the latest meeting 31-0 at home in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) runs the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers Sept. 27, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

QB questions swirl on both sides of Iowa-Wisconsin showdown

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Both teams will be dealing with quarterback uncertainty when the Iowa Hawkeyes head to Madison, Wis., on Saturday for the annual battle for the Heartland Trophy.

Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten), coming off a bye, lost 20-15 at home to seventh-ranked Indiana two weeks ago. Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.

Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2) lost 24-10 at No. 15 Michigan on Saturday as third-string quarterback Hunter Simmons made his first start.

The Hawkeyes have dominated the series in recent years, winning three straight and four of the last five. Iowa pounded the visiting Badgers 42-10 last season. Wisconsin leads the historic series, which dates to 1894, with a record of 49-47-2.

“There’s no doubt that what happened last year is something that’s fresh in the minds of everybody on this team and a part of this program,” said Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell on Monday.

Gronowski has completed 68 of 106 passes for an average of 127.2 yards per game with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Backup Hank Brown completed 5 of 13 passes for 48 yards against Indiana. Jeremy Hecklinski is Iowa’s third option at quarterback.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday that Gronowski was medically cleared to play and was optimistic he would be ready for Wisconsin.

“So far, so good,” Ferentz said. “It’s been encouraging. Certainly, he’s getting some good work in. A week ago, I wasn’t so optimistic, but we’ll just take it as it goes this week.”

The Hawkeyes rank fourth nationally against the run, allowing just 69.4 yards per game. Iowa is 12th in total defense, surrendering 254.2 yards per contest, while averaging 327.4 on offense.

Wisconsin starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from Maryland, suffered a sprained knee in the opening nonconference win over Miami (Ohio). Edwards tried to play in the Big Ten opener against Maryland, but came out after one series and did not play against the Wolverines.

Danny O’Neil, a sophomore transfer from San Diego State, completed 23 of 27 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in his first start, a 42-10 rout of Middle Tennessee. But he proceeded to struggle against Alabama and Maryland.

Simmons, a redshirt senior transfer from Southern Illinois, completed 18 of 29 passes for 177 yards with one interception in the loss to Michigan.

Fickell did not have an update Monday on Edwards’ status, but said Simmons would probably start again if Edwards is unavailable, with O’Neil in the mix.

Wisconsin, which scored just 34 points over its last three losses, is averaging 309.2 yards per game, while allowing 316.6. The Badgers also have been tough against the run, giving up just 75 yards per game, sixth-best in the country.

Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen leads the nation in punt returns at 31.5 yards per return with one touchdown and is second in kickoff returns at 35.5 yards and another score.

–Field Level Media

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes Sept. 27, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Fernando Mendoza’s late deep shot helps No. 11 Indiana escape Iowa

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Fernando Mendoza tossed a 49-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with 1:28 left, lifting No. 11 Indiana to a 20-15 Big Ten Conference win over Iowa in Iowa City on Saturday.

Mendoza withstood pressure on the third down play and found Sarratt open over the middle. Sarratt broke a tackle and raced into the end zone, completing a big game that saw him catch six passes on eight targets for 132 yards.

Mendoza was 13 of 23 for 233 yards and two touchdowns with an interception as the Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0) survived their first road test of the year. Roman Hemby added 86 yards on 15 rushes for Indiana, which outgained Iowa 337-284,

Starting quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 19 of 25 passes for 144 yards and an interception before leaving with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Hank Brown was 5 of 13 for 48 yards with an interception.

The Hawkeyes took a 13-10 edge on Drew Stevens’ 54-yard field goal with 12:43 left in the game but the Hoosiers tied it on Nico Radicic’s 44-yarder at the 9:47 mark. Stevens missed wide left from 42 with 2:01 remaining, setting the stage for Mendoza’s heroics.

Mendoza ran out the game’s final three seconds by sprinting 40 yards into his end zone for a safety, capping the scoring.

Indiana took a 7-0 lead just 1:27 into the game when Mendoza cashed in a 24-yard field via a 14-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper. Gronowski was intercepted on the game’s second play by Amare Ferrell.

Iowa drew within 7-3 on Stevens’ 40-yard field goal at the 6:25 mark, capping a short drive set up by Kaden Wetjen’s 17-yard return to the Hoosiers’ 45. The Hawkeyes grabbed a 10-7 edge with Gronowski’s 3-yard run 22 seconds before the half, 11 plays after they stopped the Hoosiers on a 4th-down play at their 27.

But Indiana ripped down the field with the help of a 16-yard pass from Mendoza to Sarratt, plus a roughing the passer call, setting up Radicic for a 46-yard field goal with two seconds left. That made it 10-10 at intermission.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers offensive lineman Pat Coogan (78) and Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate with Indiana Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin (28) after a touchdown during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

No. 11 Indiana has ‘more difficult challenge’ at Iowa after Illinois rout

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What does No. 11 Indiana do for an encore after playing a near-flawless game last week in a 63-10 destruction of then-No. 9 Illinois?

According to second-year coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers’ trip to face Big Ten rival Iowa Saturday will be a more difficult challenge than facing a top 10 foe.

“And the sooner our guys realize that, the better,” he said.

Some might have seen Cignetti’s assertion that Iowa will be a tougher game than Illinois as a shot fired either at the Fighting Illini, who showed practically zero fight for most of the last three quarters, or the pundits who thought they would win.

It’s also the truth, simply because it’s hard to imagine that Indiana (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), even as good as it has looked so far, is going to be 53 points better than the Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0) in Iowa City. All that crowd noise that boosted the Hoosiers to levels Illinois simply couldn’t match will be working in Iowa’s favor.

This is Indiana’s first road game of the season. Can the Fernando Mendoza-led offense function in one of the league’s louder venues? Will the Hoosiers be able to play their usual air-tight brand of football that Cignetti has established?

“It’s a tough place to play,” he said of Kinnick Stadium. “They sell out almost every Saturday. It’s loud. … Obviously, it will be a big point of emphasis this week in practice. I’m not going to tell you what we will do.”

If Mendoza keeps playing at his current level, Cignetti could give the Hawkeyes the playbook and it might not matter. Mendoza was 21 of 23 for 267 yards and five touchdowns against the Illini, making him 76 of 99 (76.8 percent, second-best among all FBS QBs) for 975 yards with an FBS-leading 14 passing touchdowns and no interceptions this season.

While Indiana is clicking in all facets, Iowa is coming off an encouraging 38-28 win at Rutgers in its conference opener on Sept. 19. Mark Gronowski ran for three touchdowns and threw for 186 yards in his best performance of the year.

The South Dakota State transfer, who led the Jackrabbits to 2022 and 2023 FCS titles, struggled to get the passing game going in the first two games. He connected on just 21 of 39 attempts for 127 yards in a blowout win over FCS foe Albany and a loss at Iowa State.

But he’s looked more like himself in the last two games, giving Hawkeye fans hope they might finally have a competent offense to go along with their usually stingy defense and solid special teams.

“I think with each week, he’s more and more comfortable running the offense and leading the team out there,” said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. “It’s been good to watch him grow confidence. We’re not surprised by that.

“He’s just a really high-quality guy. But you can’t overstate the importance of practice and repetition. I think that’s really, really important for him.”

It doesn’t hurt that the Hawkeyes are averaging 200.5 rushing yards per game, led by six touchdowns from Gronowski and an FBS-best 88.2 run-blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus.

Iowa owns a 46-28-4 lead in the all-time series, including a 34-6 win in the last meeting in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Mark Gronowski trying to play ‘free’ as Iowa takes on 3-0 Rutgers

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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.

–Field Level Media

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) looks for a pass against Iowa State during the fourth quarter in the Cy-Hawk football at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025, in Ames, Iowa

Mark Gronowski, Iowa aim to ignite offense vs. UMass

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Iowa and UMass each will try to rebound from close losses last week when they meet Saturday night in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa (1-1) dropped a 16-13 decision to then-No. 16 Iowa State on Saturday after the Cyclones made a 54-yard field goal with 1:52 to play.

UMass (0-2) is coming off a 27-26 loss to Bryant, which competes at the FCS level. It was the Bulldogs’ first victory over an FBS opponent.

The Minutemen likely will be without starting quarterback Brandon Rose, who sustained a shoulder injury against Bryant. UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said X-rays on Rose’s shoulder were negative, but he’s not sure if he will be able to practice this week.

The Minutemen also used graduate student Grant Jordan and freshman AJ Hairston at quarterback against Bryant. Jordan, who took the majority of the snaps, spent four years at Yale before transferring.

“I feel very comfortable in both,” Harasymiak said. “Both will compete this week and we’ll make a decision. Ultimately it’s what gives us the best chance to win the game.”

Iowa will be looking for more production from quarterback Mark Gronowski, a transfer from South Dakota State. Gronowski has completed 21 of 39 passes for 127 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his two games with the Hawkeyes.

“It’s a matter of him getting more comfortable, and us making him more comfortable,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Iowa will be without tight end Addison Ostrenga, who sustained an Achilles injury during the loss to Iowa State. Ferentz said Ostrenga will be out for the season.

Ferentz said his team needs to keep moving forward.

“This week is like any week,” Ferentz said. “Our goal is to win the game and then secondly, improve and grow. See what we can do to move forward as a football team.”

Both Ferentz and Harasymiak served as the head coach at the University of Maine.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones place kicker Kyle Konrardy (97) attempts a field goal against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Kyle Konrardy’s late 54-yard FG lifts No. 16 Iowa State past Iowa

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Kyle Konrardy kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:52 remaining to give No. 16 Iowa State a 16-13 victory over visiting Iowa on Saturday afternoon in the Cy-Hawk rivalry in Ames, Iowa.

It marked the second straight season that Konrardy provided the winning points. He also was good from 54 yards last season with six seconds left to give the Cyclones a 20-19 win over the Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

Konrardy kicked three field goals with the final boot ending Iowa State’s six-game home losing streak in the series.

Rocco Becht completed 18 of 27 passes for 134 and one touchdown for the Cyclones (3-0). Benjamin Brahmer caught the scoring pass.

Mark Gronowski was just 13-of-24 passing for 83 yards and one interception for the Hawkeyes (1-1). The South Dakota State transfer also had 37 yards and a score on the ground.

The Cyclones held a 238-214 edge in total offense in a contest controlled by the defenses.

Iowa State took over with 8:21 left in the game and moved 55 yards on 13 plays to set up Konrardy, who booted the ball through the uprights for the Cyclones’ first home win in the series since 2011.

The Hawkeyes had one last chance but Iowa State’s Tamatoa McDonough recorded back-to-back sacks of Gronowski to set up fourth-and-15 from the Iowa 19-yard line. Gronowski then had to scramble around on the last play before his toss for Hayden Large was incomplete with 49 seconds left.

Becht took two kneel downs to close out the victory.

Iowa trailed by 10 before putting together 16-play drives on both sides of halftime.

On the first one, the Hawkeyes traveled 85 yards and scored on Gronowski’s 2-yard keeper with 27 seconds left in the first half. It allowed Iowa to trail 13-10 at the break.

Then on their first second-half possession, the Hawkeyes moved 77 yards over nine minutes, 28 seconds, before settling for a tying 36-yard field goal by Matt Stevens.

Iowa State received first-quarter field goals of 44 and 27 yards by Konrardy for a 6-0 edge.

The Hawkeyes got on the board when Stevens kicked a 31-yard field goal with 12:53 left in the first half.

Jeremiah Cooper’s interception and 24-yard return gave the Cyclones the ball at the Iowa 18-yard line in the second quarter. Iowa State cashed in with Becht’s 2-yard touchdown throw to Brahmer to make it 13-3 with 4:50 left in the half.

–Field Level Media

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht stands for a portrait during Iowa State football media day at Jack Trice Stadium on July 25, 2025, in Ames.

No. 16 Iowa State aims to end home hex in rivalry vs. Iowa

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The home team hasn’t prevailed in the Cy-Hawk rivalry since 2018, and Iowa State hasn’t emerged victorious on its home turf in the series in 14 years.

The latter fact weighs heavy on the mind of Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht as No. 16 Iowa State hosts Iowa in the high-stakes rivalry matchup on Saturday afternoon at Ames, Iowa.

“I can’t wait for Ames, Iowa, to be electric on Saturday,” Becht told reporters Tuesday.

The Cyclones have dropped six straight at home in the series since winning a 44-41 triple-overtime shootout in 2011. Even Brock Purdy (2019, 2021) couldn’t come up with a home win over the Hawkeyes.

Becht took a shot in 2023, and the Cyclones trailed by 17 before rallying to make the margin of defeat (20-13) look better.

The Floridian knew nothing about the rivalry when he arrived at Iowa State. But he’s well-versed now after hearing about it throughout his stay.

“It means a lot to me because I know it means a lot to the program and the fans,” Becht said. “We need to do our justice to come out there in Ames, Iowa, and win a game for them. (Iowa) is a great team, and we have to play our best against them.”

Iowa State (2-0) shellacked FCS foe South Dakota 55-7 last Saturday after beating then-No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in its opener in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 23.

Becht threw three touchdown passes against South Dakota and set a school single-game completion percentage mark (95) by completing 19 of 20 passes. Seneca Wallace (22 of 24, 91.7 percent) set the old mark against Baylor in 2001.

Kyle Konrardy booted a school-record 63-yard field goal for the Cyclones on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes opened last Saturday with a 34-7 home victory over FCS foe Albany.

Xavier Williams rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts to become the first Iowa player to run for 100 yards in their debut since Shonn Greene (116 vs. Ball State in 2005).

Iowa has won seven of the last nine meetings against Iowa State, and South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski said he is eager for his first opportunity to play in the rivalry. He likes it better that it will happen in Ames.

“It’s kind of nice because it’s me and the guys who are around me,” Gronowski told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s us going to do it in enemy territory, enemy stadium, and we just get to be with each other. Not really have to worry about anything else.

“It gives you a little bit of a chip on your shoulder. You know that nobody is really cheering for you, nobody is really hoping for your success at all, so you really have to just go out there and go play. It’s you and the guys against everybody else who are there.”

Gronowski was just 8-of-15 passing for 44 yards and one touchdown in his Iowa debut. He also rushed for 39 yards and a score.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he isn’t concerned with the lack of passing prowess in Week 1.

“It wasn’t the way he wanted to play. The game didn’t turn out the way he wanted to, but he’s going to be fine,” Ferentz said of Gronowski. “He’s totally qualified and can play quarterback. Just got to relax and play and let the game come to him a little bit instead of trying to force things or get all jazzed up.”

–Field Level Media

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) warms up before playing the Albany Great Danes Aug. 30, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa rushes for 310 yards in rout of Albany

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Xavier Williams rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries to help lead Iowa to a season-opening 34-7 win over FCS opponent Albany in Iowa City on Saturday.

Making his debut for Iowa after transferring from South Dakota State, quarterback Mark Gronowski went 8 of 15 passing for 44 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 39 yards on 11 carries.

The Hawkeyes rushed for 310 yards on 53 carries, didn’t commit a turnover until the game was out of hand in the last minute and had only two penalties. Iowa also held the ball for 36:37 and held Albany to 177 yards of total offense.

Jack Shields went 13 of 26 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown, and wideout Caden Burti caught three passes for 56 yards in defeat for Albany, which only ran for 43 yards on 21 carries.

Iowa fell behind 7-3 in the second quarter, but scored 31 unanswered points to win going away.

Williams scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 7:28 left in the second quarter to give Iowa a 10-7 lead, and then the Hawkeyes took a 17-7 lead with 1:51 remaining in the second on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Gronowski to Kaden Wetjen on 4th-and-goal.

With 5:27 to go in the third quarter, Gronowski scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give Iowa a 24-7 lead. The touchdown finished off a 14-play, 60-yard drive that took 8:28 off of the clock.

Iowa kicker Drew Stevens then connected on a 55-yard field goal with 14:18 remaining in the game and Hank Brown scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:42 left to round out the scoring.

Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter following a 28-yard field goal by Stevens with 8:51 left in the first quarter, Albany took a 7-3 lead with 11:33 to go until halftime on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Shields to Lasalle Rose Jr.

–Field Level Media