By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Move over Woody and make room for Kirk Ferentz as you now have company for the first time in nearly a half century on top of the Big Ten career wins list.

Ferentz earned that distinction on Saturday by coaching the Iowa football team to a 34-7 victory over UAlbany in the 2025 season opener at Kinnick Stadium.

The 70-year-old Ferentz now has 205 career victories as a Big Ten head coach, matching the legendary Woody Hayes, who coached the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1951 to 1978.

“Obviously, it’s just good to get the win,” Kirk Ferentz said. “It’s what we came for and I’m just happy to get that done.

“I thought the players’ effort was good and it’s good to see them get rewarded for that.”

Ferentz will try to become the Big Ten’s all-time winningest head coach when Iowa faces Iowa State (2-0) next Saturday in Ames.

However, that game figures to be more competitive than Saturday’s season opener as Iowa overcome a sluggish start on offense to still win by 27 points against an FCS opponent that was a 39-point underdog.

In addition to tying Woody Hayes for most wins in Big Ten history, Kirk Ferentz also improved his record to 22-5 in season openers as the Iowa head coach.

Mark Gronowski made his much-anticipated debut as Iowa’s starting quarterback, and though his performance was rocky at times, the former South Dakota State star still threw for one touchdown and ran for another before leaving the game late in third quarter due to apparent cramping.

He was replaced by Auburn transfer Hank Brown, who scored his first touchdown as a Hawkeye on a 1-yard sneak late in the fourth quarter.

“I was disappointed with how I played, but this season is a real long journey,” Gronowski said. “Just keep improving every single week and me and the receivers are going to continue to get better every single week.

“But I’ve got to give a shout out to the o-line, they played a great game.”

Iowa only passed for 48 yards on nine completions, but it didn’t really matter as the Iowa rushing attack produced a whopping 310 yards on 53 attempts.

Redshirt freshman running back Xavier Williams seized the spotlight for Iowa as he rushed for yards 94 yards in the first half and finished with 122 rushing yards overall on just 11 carries.

Sophomore Kamari Moulton started at running back for Iowa, but he left the game early in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury.

“Kamari, we’ll see,” Kirk Ferentz said. “I don’t think it’s the end of the world. But we’ll know a little more tomorrow or Monday.”

But even without having Moulton for most of the game, Iowa still shredded the Albany rushing defense while showcasing its depth at running back as five Hawkeye running backs had at least three rushing attempts.

Sophomore Terrell Washington Jr. rushed for 69 yards on 15 attempts, while junior Jaziun Patterson finished with 47 rushing yards, all of which came in the fourth quarter.

“I think we’re a pretty tight-knit group,” Williams said of the Iowa running backs. “There’s talent all around in that running back group. There’s not a huge falloff I don’t think really at all.

“So, I think everyone is together and everyone is trying to get each other to take that next step. And everyone is happy for each other when everyone succeeds.”

Iowa was expected to have more of a running back by committee this season as it moves on without Kaleb Johnson, who led the Big Ten in rushing last season. The committee certainly did its part in Saturday’s victory.

The Iowa defense also did its part as usual, holding the Great Danes to just 173 yards, including just 39 on the ground.

“We’re 1-0 and that’s as good as you can be at this point in the season,” said Gronowski, who won his 50th game as a college quarterback on Saturday.

Iowa senior kicker Drew Stevens made both of his field-goal attempts in Saturday’s game, including a career-long field goal from 55 yards in the fourth quarter.

Iowa played without sophomore receiver Reece Vander Zee, who was on crutches due to a left foot injury.

“He was actually in the food line after practice and felt discomfort in his foot,” Kirk Ferentz said. “I don’t know how long he’ll be out.”

Graduate offensive lineman Bryce George, who transferred from Ferris State, also was injured in warm-ups and didn’t play in Saturday’s game.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a first for me,” Kirk Ferentz said of losing a player in warm-ups due to an injury. “It was just a freak thing and he was obviously devastated. It’s hard.

“I think he’ll be back. I don’t know how soon.”

 

UAlbany 0 7 0 0 – 7

Iowa 3 14 7 10 – 34

I – Drew Stevens 28 FG

A – LaSalle Rose Jr. 9 pass from Jack Shields (James Bozek kick)

I – Xavier Williams 3 run (Stevens kick)

I – Kaden Wetjen 2 pass from Mark Gronowski (Stevens kick)

I – Gronowski 1 run (Stevens kick)

I – Stevens 55 FG

I – Hank Brown 1 run (Stevens kick)