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USA Today
24-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski excels in Barstool Sports gauntlet
During his appearance on Barstool Sports' "YAK" podcast from their downtown Chicago offices on Thursday, Iowa football quarterback Mark Gronowski showcased his athletic skills in a multi-sport skills gauntlet. The "YAK" podcast, hosted by Kyle Bauer along with a rotating cast of other Barstool personalities and guests, discusses a wide range of topics that span from current events to personal anecdotes, often with humor and irreverence. The show airs every Monday through Friday at noon CT, across multiple podcast providers. As Gronowski and senior offensive lineman Gennings Dunker both visited Barstool Sports' Chicago offices as guests for a few of the company's podcasts, the Hawkeyes quarterback put his skills to the test in the "YAK" podcast's timed sports challenge. The challenge involved sinking a cornhole toss, scoring a soccer goal from about 30 feet out, bitting a baseball off a self-toss, throwing a football into a target, draining two 3-pointers from opposite ends of a basketball court, and finally answering one of the ten questions the postcast listed (Gronowski chose to name all eight planets in the Solar System). Following his attempt at the Gauntlet, Gronowski came close to setting a record time, completing all obstacles in 1:39:69, which placed him at No. 6 all-time in the podcast's record books. Gronowski transferred to Iowa in the offseason portal from FCS-level South Dakota State, where he passed for 10,308 yards and 93 touchdowns while holding a 63.5% completion percentage, to go along with 1,767 career rushing yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground. He would finish his four-year tenure at South Dakota State with a 49-6 record as a starter, a two-time FCS National Champion and National Championship Game MVP, 2023 Walter Payton Award winner (given to the most outstanding FCS player), and a 2023 First-team FCS All-American. While the various skills shown in the gauntlet will most likely have absolutely no impact on Gronowski's on-field performance, it does at least create a form of bragging rights and sense of pride heading into what could be an exceedingly successful Hawkeyes 2025-26 campaign. Gronowski and the Hawkeyes open their season on Aug. 30 when FCS-level Albany visits Kinnick Stadium for a 5 p.m. CT kickoff on FS1. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski receives deflating Big Ten ranking from On3
With the 2025-26 college football season just around the corner, On3's Andy Staples released his top ten rankings of Big Ten quarterbacks Tuesday morning, which ranked Iowa football quarterback Mark Gronowski in a questionable spot. While the top of Staples' rankings was headlined by Penn State's Drew Allar at No. 1, Illinois' Luke Altmyer at No. 2, and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza at No. 3, Gronowski was given a very unappreciative spot of No. 10 on the list. Given Gronowski's lore at the FCS-level, the No. 10 spot is quite a jab at the high-expectations Hawkeyes fans have for both the quarterback and offensive output this season. 6-foot-3, 230-pound signal caller transferred to Iowa from the FCS-level powerhouse South Dakota State in the offseason with one year of eligibility remaining and was a prized addition to the Hawkeyes, as he carries significant quarterback prestige. During his time with the Jackrabbits, Gronowski passed for 10,308 yards and 93 touchdowns while holding a 63.5% completion percentage. His mobility with the football was also a strength, as he rushed for 1,767 career yards and 37 touchdowns. He would finish his South Dakota State tenure with a 49-6 record as a starter, a two-time FCS National Champion and National Championship Game MVP, 2023 Walter Payton Award winner (given to the most outstanding FCS player), and a 2023 First-team FCS All-American. While Iowa's offensive output has been hindered in years past by inadequate quarterback play and ineffective playcalling, the No. 10 ranking should serve as a motivator for both Gronowski and offensive coordinator Tim Lester as the Hawkeyes begin their 2025-26 campaign in late August. Gronowski and the Hawkeyes open the season against FCS-level Albany on Aug. 30 from Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FS1. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews.
