Slow starts during important games have doomed the Iowa Hawkeyes in each of their three losses this season.
The offense was virtually non-existent outside of one drive during the 16-13 loss to Iowa State in Week Two.
Another slow start plagued the squad in the 20-15 loss against Indiana as quarterback Mark Gronowski threw an interception on his first pass attempt.
During Iowa's loss to No. 9 Oregon on Saturday, their first three offensive drives ended in punts, one resulting in a safety.
Iowa scored only once in five offensive drives in the first half, punting on the four other drives.
Gronowski acknowledged he was not happy about how he started the game, and the heartbreaking loss "really sucks."
During his postgame media availability (posted by "247Sports"), Gronowski was very blunt about how he felt about the loss to Oregon.
Gronowski was proud of the way everyone competed after a slow start to the game, and stated that after the game, the coaches expressed confidence in the squad moving forward.
Gronowski was also very appreciative of all the fans who stuck around to cheer for them in the rainy and cold weather, and made the atmosphere awesome.
He also stated it really sucks and was a heartbreaking loss, but they still have an opportunity to end the season on a high note.
Iowa has three games left this season, including a trip to Southern California to take on USC and a rivalry game against Nebraska to finish the season.