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3d ago

Iowa Hosts UMass in Final Tune-Up With Passing Game Under the Microscope

Forecasts point to a lopsided result, with Iowa still seeking answers in the air.

Quarterback Mark Gronowski #11 of the Iowa Hawkeyes throws the ball in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 6, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 16-13 over the Iowa Hawkeyes.
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Overview

  • Iowa enters at 1-1 after a 16-13 loss to then-No. 16 Iowa State, while UMass is 0-2 following a 27-26 defeat to FCS Bryant, the Bulldogs’ first win over an FBS team.
  • Transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski has completed 21 of 39 passes for 127 yards with one touchdown and one interception through two games as scrutiny of Iowa’s passing attack intensifies.
  • The Hawkeyes will be without tight end Addison Ostrenga for the season after an Achilles injury sustained against Iowa State.
  • UMass is managing key injuries, with starting quarterback Brandon Rose nursing a shoulder issue and backup Grant Jordan coming off a 205-yard outing against Bryant, and receiver T.Y. Harding unavailable per team reports.
  • Oddsmakers list Iowa around a 34.5-point favorite with a total in the low 40s, national predictions overwhelmingly pick a comfortable Hawkeye win, and kickoff at Kinnick is 6:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network in the programs’ first-ever meeting.