Indianapolis, Indiana – The Iowa Hawkeyes are gearing up for the 2025 college football season with high hopes of turning their program around. After a less than stellar 2024 season, where they posted an 8-5 overall record and a 6-3 mark in the Big Ten, Head Coach Kirk Ferentz is setting his sights on a stronger performance this year.

One of the most pressing issues for the Hawkeyes last season was their quarterback situation. The year began with Cade McNamara at the helm, but he struggled significantly, completing only 60.5% of his passes for 1,017 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. His performance was so underwhelming that he became effectively a non-factor in games.

Bringing in Brendan Sullivan as a replacement offered some hope. Though Sullivan was hampered by an injury, he managed to complete an impressive 71.7% of his throws for 475 yards and added four rushing touchdowns. With a shaky quarterback lineup last season, it was clear that improving this position would be a top priority for Coach Ferentz.

In the offseason, the Hawkeyes addressed this need through the transfer portal. They made a splash by acquiring Mark Gronowski, the former quarterback from South Dakota State. Gronowski comes in with a solid background, having thrown for 2,721 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while completing 60.9% of his passes last season. Additionally, he contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for 380 yards and ten touchdowns.

Before the season even kicks off, Gronowski has received recognition by being named to the Maxwell Award watchlist – an honor given to college football’s most outstanding player. This accolade adds to the already high expectations for him as the starting quarterback. If Gronowski performs to his potential, the Hawkeyes could surprise many in the Big Ten.

While the odds of Iowa winning the conference might be slim, improvement is on the horizon. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close watch on how the team develops this season, with hopes that they can regain their competitive edge.