Iowa Fans Already Getting That Déjà Vu Feeling

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 11:04 AM ET

Iowa’s passing offense has been a national disaster for the last few seasons. That shouldn’t be breaking news for anyone who pays attention to college football. But despite the inadequacies of the passing game, the Hawkeyes have still miraculously been able to piece together winning season after winning season behind a strong running game and dominant defense.

The 2025 season was supposed to be different after Iowa added FCS All-American quarterback Mark Gronowski during the off-season. He wasn’t brought to Iowa City to shatter passing records, but the hope was that he would be able to establish a balanced offensive attack. However, if his performance during the season opener is a sign of things to come, then not much has changed for the Hawkeyes.

Playing against FCS Albany, a team that finished 4-8 last season and currently has an interim head coach, Gronowski completed 8 of 15 passes for 44 yards and one touchdown. He did add a rushing touchdown and 39 yards on 11 carries, while also dealing with cramps throughout the game. This was not the performance anyone in Iowa City was hoping for, including Gronowski, who discussed his performance after the game.

What adds gasoline to the fire is that this wasn’t Gronowski’s first game against Albany. Leading South Dakota State against the Great Danes in the National Semifinals in 2023, he completed 15 of 19 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 50 yards on five carries. And that was against a better Albany team.

Obviously, this was only the first game and there is plenty of time for improvement, but for now this is déjà vu for Iowa. Will they have to rely on their defense and running game yet again, or will the passing game quickly establish an identity. If it can establish a passing game, it will have to happen quickly. The level of competition increases exponentially with a trip to rival Iowa State coming up this Saturday. The Cyclones are already 2-0, which included a no-nonsense 55-7 victory over FCS South Dakota yesterday, which happened to be ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll.

Iowa fans spent most of the off-season telling everyone that this season would be different. Yet, for at least one game it was more of the same. Will it continue to be?

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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