(Iowa City, IA) — Trailing by 11 points, Iowa QB Mark Gronowski used his running ability to lead Iowa to a 25-24 win over Penn St. on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa got 2 interceptions in the 2nd quarter but the Hawkeyes trailed 14-10 at the half. The Nittany Lions scored on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter on a Kaytron Allen 8 yard TD run to lead 21-10.
Iowa would answer — on 3rd and 3, Gronowski ran for 38 yards down to the PSU 29. Kamari Moulton added an 11 yard run and Gronowski finished the drive with a 4 yard TD run to cut the Penn St. lead to 21-16 after the 2 point conversion failed.
The teams exchanged field goals in the 4th quarter and Iowa got the ball back with 4:56 left trailing 24-19. Gronowski then made the play of the game, busting out for a 67 yard run. Kaden Wetjen then took it to the house on an 8 yard TD run to give Iowa a one point lead.
Penn St. got the ball back with 3:48 left and moved the ball to midfield but on 4th and 4, a Ethan Grunkemeyer pass fell incomplete and Iowa was able to run out the clock thanks to a 14 yard run from Gronowski on 3rd and 7.
Iowa improves to 5-2, 3-1 while Penn St. falls to 3-4, 0-4. Next up for the Hawkeyes is a home game with Minnesota.
Iowa Stats
Mark Gronowski 9 carries, 130 yards, 2 TD; 10-16 passing, 68 yards, 2 INT
Kamari Moulton 17 carries, 99 yards
Koen Entringer 11 tackles
Xavier Nwankpa 10 tackles, 1 INT
Penn St. Stats
Ethan Grunkemeyer 15-28 passing, 93 yards, 2 INT
Kaytron Allen 28 carries, 145 yards, 2 TD
