Mark Gronowski had all of the eyes inside Kinnick Stadium on him last weekend when he started his first game for the Iowa Hawkeyes. This weekend, the intensity will only heighten when he steps onto the field at Jack Trice to take on the Iowa State Cyclones in the Cy-Hawk game.
Gronowski has been viewed as the answer for the Hawkeyes at quarterback, a position they have been in flux with for the last half-decade. His arrival brought fresh air to Iowa and hope for offensive firepower. That storyline shifted after a bit of a struggle in Week 1, but he remains one of the top quarterbacks to watch this weekend.
ESPN has put Mark Gronowski among its five quarterbacks to watch in Week 2, as Iowa hopes he can become the answer to their quarterback struggles.
Iowa‘s Mark Gronowski: This was supposed to be the year the Hawkeyes finally had a QB who could elevate the offense beyond the traditional “punting is winning” formula. When Kirk Ferentz landed Gronowski via the portal from South Dakota State, he seemed to fit the bill as both a hard-nosed pocket passer in the typical Iowa mold, but also one with sufficient upside to actually make the Hawkeyes a tad more dynamic. But in Week 1 against FCS Albany, he didn’t exactly light it up. Gronowski finished just 8-of-15 passing for 44 yards. No, he didn’t need to do more than that to secure an easy win, but the formula changes a good deal in Week 2 for the Cy-Hawk game against Iowa State. Dating to 2018, Iowa’s starting QBs have combined for a 41.3 Total QBR, 53% completions, one touchdown and four picks in six games vs. Iowa State. — David Hale
Mark Gronowski has the dual-threat ability to throw it downfield as well as tuck it and run it amid contact. This weekend, the Hawkeyes will call on both of his skillsets to try and steal a gigantic road win over the Cyclones.
He doesn’t need to throw for 300 yards; rather, he needs to be efficient and complete throws to keep the chains moving and show Iowa State that Iowa is not a one-dimensional rushing attack.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN labels Iowa QB Mark Gronowski a top quarterback to watch
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