It may have taken three weeks, but something finally clicked for QB1 Mark Gronowski and the Iowa offense.
After amassing only 127 passing yards through the first two games of the season, Gronowski and the Iowa offense needed a bounce-back performance.
What better way to get back on track than welcoming a weaker opponent to Kinnick Stadium for a night game?
The Iowa passing game exploded against UMass, tallying 234 total passing yards in the victory.
Gronowski accounted for 179 passing yards and two touchdown passes (both in the first quarter) as Iowa executed its game plan to perfection.
During the week before the UMass game, Gronowski stated that the offense wanted to take more deep shots in Saturday's game, and they delivered on that promise.
On Iowa's first offensive drive of the game, Gronowski found Sam Phillips wide open on the sideline for a 45-yard strike before throwing a dart to Sam Phillips down the middle of the field for a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Gronowski would link up with Anderson for another passing touchdown later in the first quarter as the Hawkeyes put the game out of reach early.
The offense finally showed some life, and Gronowski is adamant they built confidence in their receivers and the offense after a dominant showing.
Gronowski was brimming with confidence during his postgame media availability (posted by "The Hawkeye Report"), and he stated that starting fast was an emphasis during practice last week.
The Hawkeyes started slowly, stumbling out of the gates during their first two games, but came out hot during the win against UMass.
Gronowski also stated that it was no secret that he struggled with anxiety and overthinking during his first two games. After Saturday's performance, he showed that he has made solid improvements from Week One until now.
He said it all comes down to having confidence in himself and the receivers as they continue to grow and get better each week.
Gronowski is confident that he can "play at any level," and has to remember to have fun and know he has done this before.