Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa football team secured a decisive 41-3 victory over Minnesota on Saturday at Duke Slater Field in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes demonstrated strength across offense, defense, and special teams, outgaining the Gophers 274 to 133 in total yards.

Quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 12 of 19 passes for 135 yards, threw one touchdown pass, and rushed for another score. Jeremy Hecklinski also contributed with a rushing touchdown and completed his only pass attempt for six yards. Kamari Moulton led the running game with 75 yards on 15 carries. Kaden Wetjen topped the receivers with 49 yards and returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown.

On defense, Iowa recorded three takeaways. Zach Lutmer had an interception returned for a touchdown, while TJ Hall and Cam Buffington each added interceptions. Xavier Nwankpa led the team with six tackles. Aaron Graves registered two sacks; Max Llewellyn and Ethan Hurkett each had one.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz commented on the performance: "It was a complete team performance. All three phases really did a great job, especially in that first half playing off each other and doing a great job.

Our players did a great job focusing all week and then certainly carried it out to the game this afternoon. Good to get that strong start. They started out really strong on offense first three drives. I think at one point we were like 19-3, so I've been told, in terms of plays. Nothing wrong with that, certainly. Just the way everything fed off of each other was really pleasing.

I want to congratulate Kaden, too. I understand he's tied with Tim Dwight for return touchdowns, which is saying a lot. That's a great accomplishment. The last week we had Drew Stevens move ahead of Nate Kaeding, and now to tie Tim Dwight, those are two outstanding historical performers in our program. So really a good deal.

There's still things we have plenty to work on right now and things that need to be looked at a little bit closer. Overall looking back the last three weeks certainly with game competition, and I'd include the bye week, I think our team has really grown. They've improved. Their work ethic and attitude has just been outstanding, and it's good to see them get rewarded with their performances out on the field, not only today, but the last three weeks. Just really pleased with the guys, really proud of them.

We'll take this bye week here, hopefully use it smartly. We have a big stretch coming up. November football is so important in college. We'll have something to point to. We'll take tomorrow and enjoy it a little bit and get back to work on Monday."

The Hawkeyes established control early by scoring touchdowns through offensive drives as well as defensive plays such as Lutmer’s interception return for a score in the first quarter.

This win marks Iowa’s best start in Big Ten play since 2015 at four wins and one loss through five games; they are now bowl eligible for the 24th time in 25 seasons. The team has also won eleven of its last twelve meetings against Minnesota.

Individually, Gronowski matched Wilburn Hollis’ record for most rushing touchdowns by an Iowa quarterback in program history (11) and set a new Big Ten mark for consecutive games (eight) with at least one rushing touchdown by a quarterback.

Kaden Wetjen’s punt return touchdown ties him with Tim Dwight for most combined return touchdowns (five) in school history; he is also among national leaders this season for multiple punt return scores.

Iowa’s defense extended its streak of consecutive seasons with an interception returned for touchdown (“pick six”) to eighteen years—second-longest nationally—and limited Minnesota to just 134 total yards (including only twenty-four rushing). The Hawkeyes forced three turnovers resulting in fourteen points.

Looking ahead, Iowa will be idle next week before returning home to face Oregon on November 8 at Kinnick Stadium.