Iowa football went deep into its bag of tricks Saturday to help build a two-possession first-half lead at USC.
The Hawkeyes called a trick play at the Trojans’ 5-yard line, during which quarterback Mark Gronowski handed the ball to Kaden Wetjen, who ran left and pitched it to a reversing Reece Vander Zee to set up a throw to an open Gronowski in the end zone.
The score put Iowa up 21-7.
According to HawkCentral reporter Dargan Southard, Vander Zee is the first Hawkeye non-QB to throw a TD pass since punter Colten Rastetter vs. Penn State in 2018.
Vander Zee is also the first non-QB to attempt a pass for Iowa since 2021. It was the first TD pass by an Iowa wide receiver since Clinton Solomon vs. Minnesota in 2005.
Gronowski had five catches for 66 years across his four previous seasons at South Dakota State, including a 24-yard TD in 2020. It was his first catch with Iowa.
Mark Gronowski stats
- vs USC (first half): 7-for-10 passing, 97 yards, 1 TD, 6 carries for 13 yards and 1 TD, 1 catch for 5 yards and 1 TD
- 2025 (entering Saturday): 63.9% completion, 1,084 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INT, 88 carries for 338 yards and 12 TDs
- 2024 (South Dakota State): 206 of 338 passing for 2,721 yards with 23 touchdowns to 7 interceptions; 98 carries for 380 yards with 10 touchdowns
- 2023 (South Dakota State): 209 of 307 passing for 3,058 yards with 29 touchdowns to 5 interceptions; 93 carries for 402 yards with 8 touchdowns
- 2022 (South Dakota State): 232 of 356 passing for 2,967 yards with 26 touchdowns to 5 interceptions; 111 carries for 408 yards with 12 touchdowns
- 2021 (South Dakota State): Missed season (injury)
- 2020 (South Dakota State): 109 of 189 passing for 1,584 yards with 15 touchdowns to 3 interceptions; 83 carries for 577 yards with 7 touchdowns
