Mark Gronowski started his first game last weekend with the Iowa Hawkeyes, all his eyes on Kinnick Stadium. This weekend, the intensity will only increase when he stepped onto Jack Trice's field to take over the Iowa State Hurricane in the Cy-Hawk game.
Gronowski is seen as the Hawkeye's answer to the quarterback, a position they've been in trouble for the last half of the year. His arrival brought fresh air to Iowa and hoped for offensive fire. The storyline has changed after a week 1 struggle, but he remains one of the top quarterbacks to watch this weekend.
ESPN listed Mark Gronowski as the fifth-pointer to watch in Week 2 as Iowa hopes he will be the answer to the quarterback struggle.
Mark Gronowski of Iowa: It should have been the year when Hawkeye finally had QB, which could elevate the offense beyond the traditional “strike is winning” formula. When Kirk Ferentz landed on Gronowski via the portal from South Dakota State, he seemed to be both fitting the bill in a typical Iowa mold and a hard nose pocket passer, but there was plenty of room for the rise to make the Hawkeye more dynamic. But he didn't fully illuminate it in Week 1 against FCS Albany. Gronowski completed only 8 of 8 of 15 goals, lasting 44 yards. No, he didn't need to do more to get an easy win, but the formula changed a lot in the second week in the Cy-Hawk game against Iowa State. Iowa's starting QB dates back to 2018, with a total of 41.3 QBRs, 53% completions, a touchdown and four draft picks in four games with Iowa State. – – David Hale
Gronowski has a dual threat ability to throw it to the end and stuff it in and run it in contact. This weekend, the Hawkeye will call on his skills to try to steal huge roads to defeat the Tornado.
He doesn't need to throw 300 yards. Instead, he needs to throw efficiently and intactly to keep the chain moving and show Iowa that Iowa is not a one-dimensional sprint attack.
Contact / Follow Us @hawkeyeswire On X (formerly Twitter), like our Facebook page to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7