The first half of the Iowa game against Rutgers was an offensive shootout on Friday night.
After speedster Kaden Wetjen took the opening kickoff to the house for the first score of the game, the Rutgers offense could not be stopped as they put up 21 first-half points.
Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski and the Iowa offense always had an answer for a Rutgers score, as they added two more touchdowns before the end of the first half.
Gronowski rushed for a two-yard score, and in his return to the lineup, running back Kamari Moulton also notched a rushing touchdown as the Hawkeyes and Scarlet Knights were tied at 21 heading into halftime.
The Iowa defense made adjustments, including picking up its first interception of the season, and held Rutgers to only seven second-half points.
The Iowa offense kept clicking, and Gronowski added two more rushing touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
Iowa fans were worried after the first two weeks of the season, but Gronowski has improved each week and has put those fears to bed with his latest performance against Rutgers.
In the 38-28 win, Gronowski threw for 186 yards, completing 67 percent of his passes. He also added 55 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground as Iowa had 160 rushing yards as a team.
Gronowski was efficient in the passing game, hitting on a few deep shots, and moved the ball down the field with ease against the Rutgers defense.
On a night where the defense struggled, Gronowski shouldered the load by putting up 241 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in an important victory over Rutgers.
Gronowski gets an A grade for his best performance to date, and we all hope he can carry the momentum into a pivotal game against a top 25 ranked Indiana Hoosiers squad next Saturday.