IOWA CITY — A day of promise turned unsettling for the Hawkeyes as Mark Gronowski, the touted South Dakota State transfer, faltered in his Iowa debut, overshadowing the team’s 34-7 victory over Albany.

Amid the excitement of his first touchdown — a determined rush from the 1-yard line that had teammates rallying around him — Gronowski was soon brought down again, this time not by defenders but by a bout of cramping.

Despite the win, the optimism surrounding Gronowski’s performance dulled, as his stat line revealed an underwhelming outing: 8-for-15 for 44 passing yards, and 11 rushes for 39 yards. This fell far short of expectations against an Albany team that had struggled the previous season.

Gronowski was candid about his disappointment, emphasizing the need to improve week by week. "Today wasn’t my best game, but the season is long," he reflected.

His initial drive was shaky, riddled with errant throws. Nervous energy seemed to plague his early attempts — notable misses included a wild pitch to Seth Anderson and an embarrassing drop on a wide-open touchdown opportunity. Head Coach Kirk Ferentz remarked that Gronowski looked like he was pressing, reacting to the pressure in Kinnick Stadium for the first time as a Hawkeye.

As the game progressed, it became clear that Gronowski's struggles had a profound impact; Iowa's offensive strategy soon shifted heavily towards reliance on their powerhouse offensive line, scaling back the passing game. In stark contrast, Iowa's rushing attack flourished, netting an impressive 310 yards.

While Gronowski's performance raises concerns, one bright spot emerged in freshman Xavier Williams, who capitalized on an injury to starting running back Kamari Moulton. Williams shone with a standout performance, recording 122 rushing yards and scoring Iowa’s first touchdown.

Meanwhile, veteran return specialist Kaden Wetjen marked his return to the field with a crucial touchdown reception, showcasing his potential to impact the offense.

On the defensive side, Iowa maintained dominance, limiting Albany to just 177 total yards and forcing multiple three-and-outs. The defense's resilience became the backbone of the victory, reassuring worried fans.

Additionally, with the recent spurt of injuries and a quarterback under pressure, Coach Ferentz found a moment to highlight his own achievement, tying for first all-time as a Big Ten head coach with 205 wins. As he looks towards a pivotal matchup against Iowa State, a focus on improvement is crucial. In Gronowski, fans hope for a resurgence and a quarterback ready to lead.

This unexpected performance from their new QB raises pressing questions for the Hawkeyes; can they regain momentum and rise to the challenge ahead?