Mark Gronowski hopes to be the quarterback Iowa fans have been waiting for. Gronowski joined the Iowa program after leading South Dakota State to a pair of FCS national titles and was named the national player-of-the-year in 2023. He inherits an Iowa offense that led the Big Ten in rushing in conference play but finished next to last in passing in 2024.

Gronowski says being year number two under offensive coordinator Tim Lester is a plus.

Gronowski missed spring drills after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. He fells like he and the passing game are making progress in fall camp.

Gronowski says he has been enjoying fall camp.

During the last four seasons the Hawkeyes have averaged nine wins and played in the Big Ten championship game twice. That stretch has also featured a string of injuries and subpar play at quarterback and Iowa has never finished higher than 12th in passing offense in the conference.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who says good offensive line play and good quarterback play are two of the keys to success.

Ferentz says Gronowski is making progress after missing spring drills.

Quality quarterback play will be a must for a Hawkeye team that hosts three teams that appeared in the college football playoffs last season and among their road games are trips to USC, Wisconsin and Iowa State. They open at home August 30th against the University of Albany.