Iowa
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.
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More and more, it is looking like playing on the offensive line for the Iowa Hawkeyes is becoming a one-way ticket to the NFL. Offensive line coach George Barnett is among the best in the business, and his 2026 offensive line should continue the trend of strong play for the Hawkeyes.
This past NFL Draft saw the Hawkeyes send Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker, and Beau Stephens to the next level as the latest successes. They come on the heels of Tyler Linderbaum and Tristan Wirfs, two of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
Iowa is now looking to continue the offensive line prowess as it hosts a highly touted recruit, as they prepare for more future departures to the NFL. Two starters on the offensive line this season, Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck, have each generated NFL buzz, and if history tells us anything, NFL teams like Iowa offensive linemen.
Iowa Hawkeyes Hosting Four-Star Caleb Johnson
While it may be summer for the current roster with training camp approaching, the recruiting trail doesn’t sleep for the coaching staff. Some of the latest news for Iowa’s class of 2027 is the upcoming visit that Caleb Johnson, a four-star offensive lineman, will take to Iowa City.
Johnson, a product of Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana, is coming off a string of visits to high-profile schools such as Indiana and Michigan State, with a visit to the Hawkeyes on deck.
Iowa may have a slight inside track on Johnson, as it was on Johnson’s recruiting trail earlier than some in the process, offering him back in January of 2026.
Caleb Johnson Bio
High School: Noblesville
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
Class: 2027
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 260
Recruiting Rankings: No. 2 recruit in Indiana, No. 22 offensive tackle, No. 248 recruit overall
Other Offers: Indiana, Michigan State, Missouri, Cincinnati, Auburn, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, UNC, Oklahoma State, Purdue, UCLA, and others
Analysis: At just 260 pounds, Iowa would be able to mold Johnson in the weight room and developmental program, which is one of the best in the country. In his tape from high school, Johnson is seen playing snaps at center, guard, and tackle, which offers versatility from the jump.
Iowa Football 2027 Recruiting Class
The Iowa Hawkeyes currently sit with the No. 29 overall 2027 recruiting class as things stand right now. The Hawkeyes have landed 10 commits for the 2027 class, two of them being offensive linemen.
Reilly Newman from West Chester Ohio, a three-star recruit, and Nate Brenneman from Rock Valley, Iowa, another three-star recruit have given their commitments to the Hawkeyes.
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With the I-Cubs trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Scott Kingery singled home a run and another came home on a sacrifice fly from
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek spent Saturday campaigning across Eastern Iowa as part of his “Pushing for Change” get-out-the-vote tour.
Turek, a state representative and two-time Paralympic gold medalist, held canvass launches and door-knocking events in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and North Liberty as he works to build support ahead of Iowa’s upcoming primary election.
The candidate is seeking Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat and says his campaign is centered on issues affecting families across the state. Among his top priorities are affordability, housing, health care access, immigration reform, and support for working families.
“I think it’s important for people to hear directly from their candidates,” Turrek said. “Tuesday is election day, so trying to get all over the state and talk to people directly about this generational chance that we’ve got to change this state and change this country.”
Turek is one of two Democratic candidates who will appear on the June primary ballot.
“There’s nothing like a direct interaction with voters, face-to-face on their stairs,” Turek said.
Voters interested in learning more about Turek and his campaign can watch Iowa’s News Now’s full Beyond the Podium interview on the Iowa’s News Now YouTube channel.
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