As my family and I were getting ready for the pizza to arrive, my dad asked me one, perfectly-timed question:
“Do you think they’ll kick away from him?”
He was referring to Kaden Wetjen, who Rutgers should have kicked away from. They didn’t. After blasting 104 yards through the heart of Piscataway, Wetjen’s kickoff return touchdown to open the Blackout game at SHI Stadium was the first of MANY dominoes to fall.
FIRST HALF
Hardly any Hawkeye fan can process what was put on offensive display tonight. It looked like your friend, who’s only ever used Madden’s “coach suggestions,” secretly obtained a new brain and playbook all at the same time. It was fun to watch.
What wasn’t so fun was watching Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis find gaps in Iowa’s defense on seemingly every single drive. In the first half alone, Kaliakmanis was 14 of 19 with 184 air yards. He added another 37 on the ground, tacking on two rushing touchdowns. Iowa’s defense couldn’t keep up, finding no pressure and drawing more yellow laundry than the man in the yellow hat on a lazy weekend.
Iowa’s offense, however, responded. Kind of. After an abysmal attempt at catching the football on the first drive, Mark Gronowski and Tim Lester finally clicked. There were numerous plays that showed flashes of an NFL mind, specifically on a 2nd and 1 in the 2nd quarter. Lester drew up a beautiful tunnel screen pass to tight end DJ Vonnahme, (LINK HERE) resulting in 21 yard gain that gashed Rutgers.
Jaz Patterson was solid once again for the Hawks, totaling 37 yards on 6 carries. Kamari Moulton, who has been out since week 1, also helped, adding a touchdown from six yards out.
A missed field goal from the trusty Rutgers leg of Jai Patel kept the game knotted at 21 apiece, and gave Iowa one final sliver of hope.
Just seconds before halftime, for some reason, Rutgers decided to punt the ball to Wetjen in the field of play. Iowa’s magic man slipped a couple tacklers and got pulled down at the 14 yard line.
The over/under was set before the game at 46.5. By halftime? 42.
SECOND HALF
Contrary to the fireworks of the first half, the third quarter felt like both teams forgot to plug in their controllers. A blocked Rutgers field goal and a suddenly mobile Mark Gronowski were the only signs of life. Fans had time to Google “nearest pizza by the slice” before the real action returned.
The fourth quarter in Piscataway delivered plenty of drama. After a 26 yard field goal from Drew Stevens, Rutgers quickly mounted a drive. Kaliakmanis connected with NFL prospect Ian Strong on multiple passes, including a 26-yard strike that pushed the Scarlet Knights deep into Iowa territory. From there, running back Antwan Raymond carried the load, punching in a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:44 to play.
Cue Gronowski. After a short kickoff return and an early sack, the Hawkeyes were gifted new life when a Rutgers holding penalty extended the drive. Gronowski then found Dayton Howard streaking down the sideline for a 42-yard completion, setting Iowa up inside the 15. On second and goal, the quarterback kept it himself, barreling in from two yards out to swing the game back in Iowa’s favor, 31-28, with 5:39 remaining.
For the first time since 2014, Iowa came into this game with no interceptions through the last four games.
Tonight, they’d had enough of that narrative.
On a crucial 3rd and 8 for Rutgers, Max Llewellyn punched through the Rutgers offensive line. He got just enough of Kaliakmanis’ wrist on an attempted pass, forcing a lollipop into the air. Jaxon Rexroth found the ball, snagged it, and celebrated with his teammates after the interception.
And, like he did all game, Gronowski commanded his Hawks back down the field, and added a third rushing touchdown to his stat sheet. 38-28. The dagger.
Rutgers attempted, but failed, to save their undefeated season. Phil Parker won’t be too happy come their next film session, but his coveted defense gave him a sigh of relief in the end.
With a gray headband and smudged eye black, Gronowski took a victorious kneel to end the game. His final statsheet: 12-18, 186 passing yards. 13 carries for 55 yards, and three touchdowns.
Way back in 1968, Iowa quarterback Larry Lawrence had four straight games with a rushing touchdown. Since then? Nobody. But tonight, Mark did it. If you didn’t believe, you should. The time is nowski.
Iowa will be back at Kinnick Stadium next weekend to take on Curt Cignetti and his 19th-ranked Hoosiers from Indiana. If tonight was a sign of things to come on offense, fans can expect more excitement than just a fun commercial.
This wasn’t Heaven. Nor was it Iowa. This was Piscataway, where the Iowa Hawkeyes scored 38 points. Yes, 38 points. In a Big 10 conference game.