Mark Gronowski Will Make His Debut Against Albany

















At SD State, Gronowski previously defeated Albany 59-0 in the 2023 FCS semifinals, completing 15-of-19 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns.
 
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Was it really that bad.

Just how bad was Gronowski's performance. The initial passing game broke down at the end of the first drive and produced nothing on the 2nd & 3rd drives. Albany's defensive secondary was playing loose, taking away the long pass, and succeeding in getting Gronowski flustered. He had a string of 5 successive incompletions.

Albany got a touchdown on their 3rd drive, their only score.

Iowa went to its running game, much like last year, only passing when needed. This took the load of Gronowski for two drives. Gronowski pretty much willed the 6th drive into success, with two rushes & two passes for 1st down. Add to that a short touchdown run. (I hope this didn't precipitate anything more serious than cramps on the next drive)

Gronowski 8-15 53.3 pct for 44 yards and 1 TD pass, 1 TD rush.

By drive: (complete - incomplete)
1st drive: (2-3); 8 yard, inc, 6 yard, inc, inc; FG
2nd drive: No passes; Sack -8; Punt
3rd drive: (0-3); Punt
Albany touchdown
4th drive: (1-0); 5 yard TD
5th drive: (1-0); 2 yard pass for TD
6th drive: (3-1); inc, 3 yard, 2 yard, ineligible pass, 13 yard, 1 yard rush for TD
7th drive: (1-0); 5 yard, out with cramps for remainder. FG

Gronowski had only 44 yards on 8 complete passes; 3 passing first downs (6 yard 1st drive, 13 yard 6th drive, 5 yard 7th drive); 1 passing TD. (After the Albany touchdown Gronowski was 6 of 7 on the short passing game, including a 13 yard pass on 3rd and 13.)

Gronowski had 47 yards rushing on 10 tries, with one -8 yard sack. (for 39 total rushing); 2 rushing first downs and 1 rushing TD (all on the 6th drive)

I will add that pass blocking wasn't a big problem. Gronowski was getting plenty of time in the pocket. Gronowski wasn't sharp but he did a decent game managing the offense, granted it was the O-line and Mr. X carrying the load.
 
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44 yards? That lucrative 7 figure NIL deal really paid off for the Hawks. Only paid him $22,727 per yard.
 


Sparky said:
44 yards? That lucrative 7 figure NIL deal really paid off for the Hawks. Only paid him $22,727 per yard.
Click to expand...
add 39 yard rushing, so that's around $12,000 per yard, with 2 TDs.

Assuming he doesn't play another down.
 
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HawkeyeHypnosis said:
Yes. The misses were to wide open players. Most of his completions came from check downs to the RB. Even then they weren’t great throws. He can run and he’s not easy to take down.
Click to expand...
Take a look at the two throws in the red zone before his first cramp after the touchdown throw. Two solid throws, one called back for an illegal man downfield. Had he continued from the success he had on that drive (without the cramps) or made the first open TD pass, this would be a non story. Dude was way too amped for his first game as a Hawk, because he’s been dreaming of playing B1G ball for a decade or more, and he got dehydrated. Dude will be just fine this Saturday.
 








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