Iowa

Iowa Football: Report card from Week 1 win vs. UAlbany gives Hawkeyes passing grades

Published

10 months ago

August 31, 2025

Iowa Football: Report card from Week 1 win vs. UAlbany gives Hawkeyes passing grades

Yes, the Iowa Hawkeyes got the win in Week 1 with a 34-7 victory over the UAlbany Great Danes, but it’s time to peel back the onion and look at what went into the score with the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It was a game that Iowa was expected to win handily, as the final score suggests, but doesn’t tell the full story, as the Hawkeyes trailed 7-3 at one point, which caused some blood pressures to rise. Within the 60 minutes, the Hawkeyes saw swings of positives to build upon and negatives to learn from.

As Iowa moves to 1-0 on the year, let’s dig into the report card from the Week 1 showing.

Offense

Offense Grade: C+

The offense is really a tale of two different aspects. Let’s start with the bad. The passing game was abysmal, to be blunt. It was nonexistent and posed no threat. Mark Gronowski was 8/15 for 44 yards. The silver lining, if any, is that he found the endzone with a fourth-and-goal completion to Kaden Wetjen and did not have any turnovers.

On the ground, Iowa was dominant. The Hawkeyes ran the ball 53 times for 310 yards. Xavier Williams led the way, going for 122 yards on just 11 carries with a score. TJ Washington Jr added 69 yards, while Jaziun Patterson poured in 47 yards. Kamari Moulton did exit the game early and is something to monitor the rest of the week.

Defense

Defense Grade: A-

Aside from allowing UAlbany to put together one strong drive, the Iowa defense was its usual suffocating self. On the day, they held the Great Danes to 177 yards of total offense and just two yards per rush. This unit is still settling in, but this builds confidence.

What is most impressive is how the unit performed out of the halftime break. In the second half, Iowa allowed just 30 total yards of offense to UAlbany. They emphatically slammed the door shut on any upset bid.

Special Teams

Special Teams Grade: A+

This was the star unit of the night. LeVar Woods’ group showed up in midseason form and played a huge part in this game. Rhys Dakin averaged 50 yards on his two punts, with a long of 53 yards. He is a true weapon for Iowa in the field position game.

Drew Stevens was perfect on the day with four extra points and two field goals. His 55-yard field goal hit the net behind the goal posts and could have hit from 70. He is going to change games for Iowa this year with the power he has.

Coaching

Coaching Grade: B+

This game is hard to knock coaching or praise it too much. Iowa was expected to win, and while they did start slowly, the coaching staff stayed the course and trusted Iowa to eventually pull away, which they did.

What gave some confidence from this performance was Iowa’s willingness to strap up their helmets and run the ball downhill when the passing game wasn’t working. Iowa didn’t try to get too cute or be something they aren’t.

On defense, Phil Parker played his scheme and never stressed. His halftime adjustments completely shut down the Great Danes. On special teams, LeVar Woods didn’t have to do too much in-game, but his unit was arguably the most prepared one in this game.

Overall

Overall Grade: B

No one can complain too much about a 34-7 win in Week 1, but it did leave something to be desired, especially on offense with the passing attack. Should Iowa want to win games in the Big Ten, it needs more from its passing game, as defenses are going to be able to defend the run better than UAlbany.

It was a fine performance that saw Iowa use its bread and butter to win, but is a classic case of always having areas of improvement.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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Iowa

Blocked Iowa HHS director resigns but is appointed deputy director

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Blocked Iowa HHS director resigns but is appointed deputy director

Iowa’s director of Health and Human Services has resigned after the Iowa Senate blocked his confirmation in April, but he will stay in leadership as deputy director.

Larry Johnson was appointed to succeed Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia in September 2025. Johnson took over the department in October.

Johnson’s confirmation in April, however, was blocked by Iowa Senate Democrats. Johnson received the support of 28 senators, six votes short of the 34 needed.

“Hundreds of thousands of Iowans rely on the Department of Health & Human Services, but under Mr. Johnson’s leadership, those Iowans have been met with diminished care and services and a disrespectful lack of transparency and communication,” Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner said in a statement at the time of Johnson’s confirmation block. “Senate Democrats believe Iowans deserve more responsible leadership for such an important executive department.”

Under state law, 60 days after the Iowa Senate disapproves a person’s appointment, the nominee must step down. Johnson’s resignation came June 19, 58 days after his confirmation was blocked.

In a news release Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Kraig Paulsen, the director of the Iowa Department of Management, to also serve as the director of Iowa Health and Human Services.

“This is not the first time I’ve called upon Director Paulsen to help lead executive branch departments during times of transition,” Reynolds said in a statement. “His experience across state government is unmatched, and I have full confidence in his ability to ensure our state’s largest agency has the leadership team required, not only to serve Iowans most in need of assistance, but also to advance strategic initiatives such as rural health transformation, cancer research, and child welfare technology improvements.”

Paulsen named Johnson as principal deputy director of the department to “ensure efficient and effective operations,” according to the release.

“Iowa HHS requires strong and experienced leadership at every level to ensure continuity of critical services such as Medicaid, SNAP, and child protection, and Larry Johnson is exactly that leader,” Paulsen said in the release. “I look forward to working closely with Principal Deputy Director Johnson to ensure Iowa’s strong commitment to our most vulnerable citizens continues as usual.”

Weiner, in a statement issued June 19, said Reynolds “has decided to blatantly disregard and circumvent the Senate in re-establishing Larry Johnson as the de facto head” of Health and Human Services.“This is partisan politics of the worst kind,” Weiner said in the statement. “Under Larry Johnson, the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on HHS for critical services have received a diminished standard of care, a disrespectful lack of responsiveness, and a department more concerned with fealty to the governor than transparency to the public. And yet, this governor simply cannot handle a world in which she doesn’t get her way, so she has invented a title that allows Johnson to resume his work.”

Weiner said the decision to not confirm John was “not made lightly,” and “We did what was right for Iowans.”

“Our goal has been and remains to work within the bounds of the Senate for the benefit of all Iowans,” Weiner said. “Unfortunately, Gov. Reynolds would rather play politics than give Iowans the respect of a more diligent search for a qualified candidate.”

Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.

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Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for June 19, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, June 19, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 19 drawing

13-16-21-26-50, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-3 numbers from June 19 drawing

Midday: 3-2-2

Evening: 7-1-4

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from June 19 drawing

Midday: 4-2-1-0

Evening: 9-9-0-7

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 19 drawing

02-20-28-51-54, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Iowa

Reynolds orders flags lowered for funeral of Iowa Sen. Julian Garrett

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Reynolds orders flags lowered for funeral of Iowa Sen. Julian Garrett

DES Moines, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff Saturday in honor of state Sen. Julian Garrett, who died June 8 at the age of 85.

Flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 20, the day of Garrett’s funeral, on the Iowa Capitol Building and across the Capitol Complex. The order also applies to all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

Garrett served 16 years in the Iowa Legislature, first representing House District 55 from 2011 to 2013 before serving in the Iowa Senate through the 2026 legislative session.

In addition to his legislative service, Garrett was a farmer, attorney and former employee of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

“Sen. Garrett was a friend who served our state with integrity — whether as a cattle producer, a Little League coach, an attorney in the executive branch, or a legislator,” Reynolds said in a statement. “For 15 years, we worked together to unleash opportunities for the Iowans we served, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.”

Reynolds is encouraging individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government entities to lower their flags to half-staff during the same time period as a sign of respect.

Garrett represented southwest Iowa in the Legislature and was known for his work on judiciary and agriculture-related issues during his tenure at the Statehouse.

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