Sep 19, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) passes the ball through the first half as Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Karson Sharar (43) defends at SHI Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photographs Quarterback Mark Gronowski rushed for 3 touchdowns and Kaden Wetjen returned the opening kickoff for a rating to steer Iowa to a 38-28 victory over Rutgers within the Huge Ten opener for each groups on Friday evening at Piscataway, N.J.
Jaxon Rexroth notched Iowa’s first interception of the season within the fourth quarter and Kamari Moulton had a dashing rating for the Hawkeyes (3-1). Wetjen totaled 167 return yards (124 kickoff, 43 punt) and Gronowski handed for 186 yards and rushed for 55 because the Hawkeyes improved to 5-0 all-time towards the Scarlet Knights.
Athan Kaliakmanis handed for 330 yards and one interception and rushed for 2 touchdowns for Rutgers (3-1). Antwan Raymond additionally ran for 2 scores whereas Ian Robust caught eight passes for 151 yards.
The rating was tied within the third quarter when Rutgers’ Jai Patel had a 29-yard field-goal try blocked by Ethan Hurkett. Jordan Thompson recovered on the Iowa 23-yard line with 3:36 left within the third quarter.
The Hawkeyes cashed in with Drew Stevens’ 26-yard area aim for a 24-21 lead with 14:02 left within the contest.
The Scarlet Knights answered with a drive that started with Kaliakmanis connecting with Robust on performs of 10, 26 and 12 yards. Raymond completed it from 1 yard out to provide Rutgers a 28-24 benefit with 9:44 left.
Iowa regained the lead with an 80-yard drive that included Gronowski’s 42-yard go to Dayton Howard. Two performs later, Gronowski scored from the two to provide the Hawkeyes a 31-28 benefit.
On Rutgers’ subsequent drive, Iowa’s Max Llewellyn pressured Kaliakmanis right into a floating throw, and Rexroth made a diving interception on the Rutgers 35 with 4:18 left.
Gronowski tacked on a 1-yard rating to provide the Hawkeyes a 10-point lead with 2:14 to go.
Wetjen fielded the opening kickoff about 3 yards deep ultimately zone and headed to the appropriate. There was a giant lane alongside the sideline, and Wetjen sped by way of it for what was formally a 100-yard landing return. It was his second profession kickoff return rating and fourth total return TD.
Rutgers knotted the rating on Raymond’s 5-yard run with 12:39 remaining within the opening quarter. Over 6 1/2 minutes later, Kaliakmanis scored on a 4-yard keeper to provide the Scarlet Knights a 14-7 lead.
Moulton scored on a 6-yard run with 2:24 left within the opening quarter.
Kaliakmanis snuck in from the 1 as Rutgers took a 21-14 lead with 12:12 left within the half. Iowa tied it on Gronowski’s 2-yard keeper with eight minutes to play within the half.
Patel clanked a 37-yard field-goal try off the appropriate upright with 2:40 left till halftime, ending his school-record streak of 18 consecutive made area targets.
–Area Degree Media
