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Iowa

Hawkeyes fly past UMass

On3 imageby: Tom Kakert9 hours agoHawkeyeReport
Kaden Wetjen(2)
Kaden Wetjen scored twice in Iowa's win over UMass. (Photo: Dennis Scheidt)

Win #206 for Kirk Ferentz was probably one of the easier one’s that he has had in his 27 years leading the Hawkeye program.

Iowa scored early and often on their way to a convincing xx-xx over UMass on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium. With the victory, Kirk Ferentz has become the winningest head coach in Big Ten history with 206 victories. Iowa now moves to 2-1 on the season with a date at Rutgers coming up on Friday evening.

After starting slow in the first two games of the season, Iowa’s offense took the ball and came out firing. On the second play from scrimmage, Mark Gronowski found a wide open Sam Phillips for a 45 yard gain. Then he hit Seth Anderson for a 20 yard strike and a 7-0 lead.

Following a quick three and out, the Hawkeye offense got going once again. This time it was a mix of run and pass with the end result being the second touchdown of the game for Seth Anderson, this time on a three yard pass reception. Iowa missed the point after for a 13-0 lead.

It was another three and out and another touchdown for the Hawkeyes on the following series. This time it was again a mix of run and pass that resulted in Kaden Wetjen running on a jet sweep for a 20 yard score and a 20-0 lead for the Hawkeyes in the first quarter.

A Rhys Dakin punt was blocked in the early stages of the second period that set up the only scoring drive for UMass. But Iowa answered right back with Drew Stevens, who had an up and down day, hitting on a 54 yard field goal to make the score 23-7.

Just before halftime the Hawkeyes added to their scoring column. Gronowski worked the passing game in the two minute drill and hit Jacob Gill for a key 15 yard pass play. Eventually the Iowa quarterback ran it into the end zone from 13 yards out to make it 30-7 at the break.

Gronowski finished his day completing 16-24 passes for 179 yards and a pair of scores. He also rushed the ball 6 times for a net of 12 yards and the one score.

In the third quarter, Iowa’s special teams made a massive contribution. Kaden Wetjen, who was close to breaking a punt for a score a couple of times in the first half, fielded a punt at the five yard line and the next thing you know, he was off to the races on a 95 yard score and a 37-7 Iowa lead.

The 95 yard returned tied for the longest in school history and was a Kinnick Stadium record for a punt return.

Iowa tacked on one more score in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Hank Brown connected with KJ Parker for a two yard score to reach the final score in the game.  

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