After wrapping up their 2025 regular season with a dominant 40-16 win over Nebraska, Iowa football has re-entered the College Football Playoff rankings, landing at No. 23. It’s a fitting reward for a team that quietly put together a strong 8-4 campaign, marked by resilience, timely playmaking, and a defense that, while occasionally leaky, found its footing when it mattered most.
Let’s start with that Nebraska game-because it was a tale of two halves. In the first, Iowa’s run defense looked vulnerable, giving up chunk plays and struggling to get off the field.
But whatever adjustments were made at halftime worked like a charm. The Hawkeyes pitched a shutout in the second half, completely flipping the script and setting the tone for a statement win.
Offensively, this was one of Iowa’s most complete performances of the year. Quarterback Mark Gronowski showed off his dual-threat ability, rushing for two scores and adding another through the air. His composure and decision-making have been steady all season, but this game felt like a culmination-a confident, efficient performance that showcased his growth in the system.
Running back Kamari Moulton added two touchdowns of his own, giving Iowa a balanced attack that kept Nebraska guessing. And let’s not overlook the special teams impact-Karson Sharar’s forced fumble on punt coverage led to a safety, contributing two more points and swinging momentum firmly in Iowa’s favor. It was the kind of all-phase effort that coaches dream about.
Zooming out, Iowa’s four losses this season came by a combined 15 points-and every one of those defeats came against ranked opponents. That’s not just a stat; it’s a statement.
This team has been in every game, even against the best, and they’ve proven they can hang with top-tier competition. And when it comes to rivalry games, the Hawkeyes didn’t just win-they dominated.
They dismantled Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska in Big Ten trophy games by a combined score of 118-19. That’s not just winning hardware-that’s asserting regional supremacy.
Now, with a top-25 ranking in hand and momentum on their side, Iowa awaits its bowl game destination, which will be announced on December 7. Wherever they land, this is a team that’s battle-tested, confident, and playing some of its best football at the right time.