What a fitting way for Mark Gronowski to wrap up his time playing college football. The senior quarterback’s one and only season in Iowa City didn’t start out well. Gronowski missed the majority of spring practice and a large chunk of the early summer while recovering from a shoulder injury sustained prior to his arrival. It was anything but easy for a transfer entering a new program. Gronowski never wavered, though. He didn’t take long to demonstrate why Iowa pursued him so hard in the transfer portal after he was eventually given the all-clear to leave.
Gronowski had to adjust to a completely new environment in just seven months. a fresh coaching staff. a fresh offensive scheme. A fresh metropolis. new teammates. new standards. For any quarterback, especially one recovering from an injury, it’s a difficult task, but Gronowski managed it all with incredible poise. His teammates demonstrated their faith in him before he ever made a significant snap. Before the season began, Gronowski was chosen as the team captain, an uncommon distinction for a first-year transfer and a clear sign of the respect he gained in the locker room. More significantly, he gave the quarterback position a degree of consistency that the program hadn’t had in over five years.
That stability paid off when it mattered most.
Gronowski led Iowa to a bowl victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl to cap off his first and only season with the Hawkeyes. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after putting on one of his best performances of the year against a ranked opponent on a national stage. Gronowski demonstrated his entire skill set against Vanderbilt. In addition to adding 54 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, he finished the evening with 212 passing yards and two touchdowns. He looked exactly like the reliable leader Iowa had relied on throughout the season, whether he was standing tall in the pocket, extending plays with his legs, or converting in crucial situations.
Gronowski’s time in college wasn’t quite over when the Hawkeyes’ 2025 season came to an end. He chose to demonstrate his skills at the 2026 American Bowl after accepting an invitation to one last showcase opportunity after the season. The event, which is only open to seniors, is intended to honor American military personnel and veterans in addition to elite college athletes.
Elite senior players from all over the nation come together for the American Bowl, where they can compete, represent their college programs, and participate in an honorable and service-oriented event. It was a fitting next step for Gronowski, a final chance to compete before focusing on the next phase of his life. Kickoff for the 2026 American Bowl is set for Thursday, January 22, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. The NFL Network will broadcast the game live, and it will take place at Victory Field in Lakeland, Florida. Interestingly, this American Bowl is the first game in its recently established history.
Gronowski views the invitation as yet another recognition of his accomplishments in his last season. He delivered when Iowa most needed him, despite the early injury, the challenging learning curve, and the pressure of leading a Big Ten program. His influence extended beyond the numbers. He gained his teammates’ trust, stabilized the offense, and assisted in leading the Hawkeyes to a successful season that culminated in a bowl trophy. Gronowski quickly established a significant legacy in Iowa City.
His season with the Hawkeyes is a monument to perseverance, leadership, and the capacity to seize any opportunity, regardless of how swiftly it arises or how abruptly it ends, as he gets ready for one last college showcase.
