Injured tight end Addison Ostrenga plans to return to the Hawkeyes next season

The Iowa offense has been clicking over the past few games, even with a key position group making a minimal impact.

Iowa had won three straight games before heading into a bye week, with all three phases finally putting together complete games.

As starting quarterback Mark Gronowski continues to get healthy, the offense continues to improve.

Over the past three games, the Hawkeyes have averaged 34.3 points and 302.0 yards per game on offense.

Most of the offensive yards per game have come on the ground (196.0 yards per game) as the passing attack has been inconsistent all year.

Part of the inconsistencies is due to Gronowski's health, and Iowa heavily relies on the rushing attack because of its stellar offensive line.

In the past, when Iowa struggled to move the ball through the air, the program has traditionally relied on solid tight ends to make up the difference.

This season, Iowa has failed to incorporate its tight ends in the passing game, with junior Zach Ortwerth leading the group with six receptions for 65 yards.

The group as a whole has been solid in run blocking, but has not gotten involved in the passing game.

Just ahead of the bye week, the program received some good news concerning its tight end group for next season.

Starting tight end Addison Ostrenga will return to the program next season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury against Iowa State in week two.

Ostrenga was Iowa's TE1 heading into the season, and he was poised for a breakout year after sitting behind Luke Lachey and Sam LaPorta for most of his career.

Ostrenga caught only one pass for eight yards this season before his injury, but he gives the Hawkeyes another big target on the outside, as well as a solid run blocker next season.

If he can return to form next season, the Hawkeyes will have a solid one-two punch with Ostrenga and Ortwerth lining up at tight end.