Mark Gronowski gets an A grade for his performance against USC

The Hawkeyes are heading back to Iowa after another disappointing 26-21 loss to USC over the weekend.

Iowa traveled to USC with an upset on its mind as it attempted to knock off No. 17 USC in Los Angeles.

The game could not have started better for the Hawkeyes as they scored a touchdown on a Mark Gronowski touchdown pass to Dayton Howard.

After a great start to the game, it got better from there in the first half for the Hawkeyes. The defense forced a punt and a turnover on downs on USC's only two drives of the first quarter.

Gronowski added another touchdown on the ground, and Iowa took a commanding 14-0 lead after one quarter.

USC responded with a quick touchdown to start the second quarter, but the Hawkeyes put together another long drive, including a play of the game candidate.

Iowa wide receiver and former high school quarterback Reece Vander Zee took a reverse and threw a dot to Gronowski in the end zone as the Hawkeyes could do no wrong in the first half.

After his touchdown catch, Gronowski became the first Iowa quarterback in 31 years to catch a touchdown pass, and is one of only five Big Ten quarterbacks since 2000 to throw a touchdown pass, rush for a touchdown, and catch a touchdown pass.

It all came unraveled in the second half for the Hawkeyes, as they punted twice, had an interception, and turned the ball over on downs on their only four drives.

Gronowski did a little bit of everything for the Hawkeyes' offense, finishing with 132 passing yards and a touchdown, 32 rushing yards and a touchdown, and five receiving yards and a touchdown in a losing effort.

Final grade: A