Iowa’s 16-13 Cy-Hawk win over Iowa State did more than keep the rivalry game in the Hawkeyes’ column. It also gave the program a recruiting jolt, and the biggest news came from one of the many prospects watching under the lights.
On Sunday, Indianapolis native Chase Grove announced he is committed to Iowa, turning a tense night in front of nearly 50 prospects into a major payoff for the Hawkeyes. Grove said his connection with offensive coordinator Tim Lester and quarterback coach Billy Vandemerkt played a big role in his decision. He is now the third commitment in Iowa’s 2028 class.
Grove was one of more than 30 2028 prospects in attendance for the game, and Iowa got the kind of result that can matter in more ways than one. Iowa State struck first and built a 10-0 lead, but Iowa answered to tie it at 10 by halftime. The teams stayed locked at 13 deep into the fourth quarter before Caden Buhr delivered the game-winning field goal at the buzzer.
Home. 🏠🐤 @NCHSPanthersFB @CoachFerentz @CoachTimLester @CoachVandeMerkt @TylerBarnesIOWA @Spauldingiowa pic.twitter.com/C3DOhbs1bl
- Chase Grove (@ChaseGrove3) September 13, 2026
Grove enters the class as a three-star prospect in both major rankings. Rivals lists him as Indiana’s No. 7 overall prospect and the No. 39 quarterback in the 2028 class. 247Sports has him as Indiana’s No. 9 overall prospect and the No. 43 quarterback in the class.
At North Central High School, Grove put together a strong sophomore season with 1,900 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores. He’s opened his junior year in style, too, highlighted by a huge outing against Warren Central when he threw for 388 yards and six touchdowns while completing 74 percent of his passes, going 28-for-38.
Iowa’s interest makes sense. Grove has developed into a pro-style quarterback, which fits the kind of passer Kirk Ferentz has often targeted. He’s also more than just a pure pocket player; he’s shown enough mobility to take off when needed.
The Hawkeyes already have quarterback commitments in the 2027 and 2028 classes, and that gives the program a different kind of future at the position. Earlier in the spring, Iowa landed rising dual-threat quarterback Brayden Santibanez in the 2028 class, and Tradon Bessinger is already in the program.
With the NCAA five-for-five rule changing the way redshirts work, Iowa’s quarterback room will be worth watching closely. There are no guarantees in the transfer portal era, but the Hawkeyes have stacked up talent at the position. Bessinger has already flashed real upside, Santibanez brings dual-threat ability, and Grove adds a more traditional pocket passer to the mix.
If those three develop the way Iowa believes they can, the next few seasons could bring quarterback battles that don’t usually come around in Iowa City. That would be a different look for the Hawkeyes - and a pretty good sign for the future.
In Other News...
Iowa Escaped Cy-Hawk Trouble But One Concern Just Got Louder
Iowa left the Cy-Hawk game with a win, but the margin did little to soften the familiar concerns that followed it out of the stadium. A game-winning field goal was enough to settle a tense afternoon, yet the broader picture still pointed back to an offense that struggled to find rhythm for long stretches, even as the defense supplied the kind of steady work Iowa fans have come to expect in rivalry games.
Special teams again played a central role in the outcome, and the defense had plenty of moments worth spotlighting, including strong showings from a few key players who helped keep Iowa State from taking control. Still, the most lasting takeaway may be how loudly the offensive issues now stand out, especially after a game in which the Hawkeyes needed every bit of their edge in field position, defense and composure just to survive a competitive Cyclone team. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Beat Iowa State But One Offensive Concern Isnt Going Away
Iowas win over Iowa State came with the kind of grind-it-out feel these rivalry games often deliver, and the Hawkeyes found just enough offense to leave with a 16-13 victory. Caden Buhr supplied the game-winner, while Hank Brown handled the passing game cleanly, completing 21 of 30 throws and avoiding any sacks behind an offensive line that held up well overall.
Still, the same concern that has followed Iowa at times did not disappear. The rushing attack never found much room, finishing at 93 yards on 29 carries, and the offense also sputtered on third down by converting only 5 of 15 chances. For a team that can lean on defense and field position, that kind of inconsistency is the sort of thing that tends to linger even after a rivalry win. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Week 3 Depth Chart Keeps One Big Offensive Question Alive
The Week 3 depth chart gave Iowa some clarity before its matchup with Northern Iowa, and Kamari Moulton is set to remain part of the plan after leaving the previous game late in the fourth quarter. Kirk Ferentz said Moulton is expected to play, which matters for an offense that wants to establish some stability early in the season.
The biggest question, though, still sits at quarterback, where Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski remain listed without a decision made public. Elsewhere, the special teams picture stayed the same, with Reece Vander Zee holding the punt return job and Zach Lutmer behind him, but the Hawkeyes still have one notable offensive spot that has yet to settle into place. [Read more 🡒]