The Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) put up a good fight against the No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten), but ultimately fell short.
The team stats were even across the board, with Iowa leading the way in time of possession (38:35), and Indiana leading in total offensive yards (337 to 284).
The Iowa defense was solid for most of the game, excluding the last touchdown drive by Indiana that sealed the game. Still, they were able to pressure Fernando Mendoza and force him to throw his first interception of the season.
The normally high-powered Indiana offense was averaging 54.8 points per game coming into Saturday's matchup, but the Iowa defense held them to 20.
The Iowa offense had an average performance and responded after a Mark Gronowski interception on the first drive of the game. The interception led to a touchdown for Indiana two plays later.
The Indiana defense was as advertised, forcing the Hawkeyes into multiple long third downs, and picked off Gronowski once and backup Hank Brown once.
The reason leading to Brown entering the game is concerning for Hawkeye fans as Gronowski was seen limping off the field early in the fourth quarter.
Kirk Ferentz said that Mark Gronowski felt as though “he couldn’t decelerate,” and that’s why he didn’t got back in at the end of the game.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) September 28, 2025
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz did not have a complete update on Gronowski's health, but stated that he was having trouble decelerating, which led to his decision not to return to the game.
Gronowski was shaken up on a fourth-quarter scramble, and he was seen limping off the field. After entering the blue medical tent, he returned to the sideline and tried to use the exercise bike in an attempt to return to the game.
Gronowski was ultimately unable to return to the game, and Brown could not lead a fourth-quarter comeback as the Hawkeyes fell 20-15 to Indiana.
Ferentz stated they will continue to evaluate Mark and will have more information on Sunday or Monday.