Mark Gronowski breaks yet another Iowa record by decisively defeating Nebraska. For Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski, this season has been one big highlight reel, full of hard runs, gritty finishes, and constant rewriting of the program’s record book. Additionally, on Friday against Nebraska, the graduate transfer added yet another noteworthy accomplishment to a year already full of them.
Before the rivalry game, Gronowski had already established himself as Iowa’s most productive rushing quarterback in terms of touchdowns for a single season. He didn’t have to do anything more to keep that distinction. But this fall, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound dual-threat did more than just sit records he chased down another. Gronowski added two more rushing touchdowns to his season total of 15 during Iowa’s victory over the Huskers, giving the Hawkeyes another taste of the tough running style that has caused so much trouble for opponents. The media would have taken notice of just those touchdowns. The most notable accomplishment, though, happened subtly, almost imperceptibly, during a few prearranged runs and scrambles that showcased his characteristic blend of strength and patience.
Gronowski had run 13 times for 64 yards by the time the final whistle blew. He broke the Iowa program record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single year with those 64 yards, bringing his total to 491 for the season. By completing this, he overtook Wilburn Hollis (477 yards in 1960), Ed Podolak (450 yards in 1966), and Ken Ploen’s long-standing record of 487 yards from 1956. Gronowski is currently the only person at the top of that list, which reads like a who’s who in Hawkeye history.
By the time the final whistle blew, Gronowski had run 13 times for 64 yards. With those 64 yards, he surpassed the Iowa program record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single year, bringing his season total to 491. By doing this, he surpassed Ed Podolak (450 yards in 1966), Wilburn Hollis (477 yards in 1960), and Ken Ploen’s long-standing record of 487 yards from 1956. That list reads like a who’s who of Hawkeye history, with only Gronowski at the top right now.
The fact that he has produced consistently throughout the season adds to the accomplishment. In 11 of Iowa’s 12 games, Gronowski has scored a rushing touchdown; this consistency demonstrates both his longevity and his value to the offense. He only failed to reach the end zone on the ground once, last week against Michigan State. He’s been automatic otherwise.
Gronowski has been more than just a fix for an Iowa offense that sorely needed a boost this season he has been an identity. His legs are now the team’s main engine, giving the Hawkeyes a dimension they haven’t had in a long time. Iowa has capitalized on this advantage, frequently allowing him to lead them through crucial moments as defenses have been forced to account for him on every snap.
His 15 rushing touchdowns tied him for the fifth-most in a single season by any Iowa player, regardless of position, placing him in exceptional company in the program’s overall history. Gronowski now sits right next to Sedrick Shaw (1995) and Marcus Coker (2011), who both scored 15 in their best seasons. The only player still far ahead on the leaderboard is Kaleb Johnson, who just last year broke the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season with 21.
Furthermore, the story is not yet complete. There is still one game left for Iowa, a bowl match that might provide Gronowski with even more opportunity to move up the list. It wouldn’t be shocking if he increased his total given how he has performed all year. The stakes will only increase his significance to the Hawkeyes’ offense because he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
The way Gronowski has changed people’s perceptions of Iowa football is what makes his season so beautiful. Iowa, which is known for its tough defense, methodical offense, and bruising running backs, rarely has quarterbacks who score a lot of points on the ground. However, Gronowski is a graduate transfer who enters a legendary program and instantly changes its offensive makeup. He has changed the Hawkeyes’ appearance, making them a more dynamic and adaptable threat that is difficult for opponents to anticipate.
Even though the numbers are impressive, it’s more than that. It’s the way he’s collected them: dragging defenders for extra yards when Iowa most needed them, lowering his shoulder at the goal line, and avoiding sacks that should have been losses. He has become a fan favorite and a key player in Iowa’s unexpectedly strong season as a result of those moments.
Gronowski’s last chapter as a Hawkeye has not yet been written because the postseason is still to come. However, Friday’s performance guaranteed that his name will stay in the annals of history and probably in the recollections of Iowa supporters for years to come regardless of what comes next. One thing is certain as Iowa gets ready to go to the bowl: Gronowski will be prepared to deliver a big play if the Hawkeyes need it, as he has done all season.
