PISCATAWAY, N.J. – In a electrifying Big Ten conference opener, the Iowa Hawkeyes staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, scoring two late touchdowns to defeat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 38-28 in front of a sold-out crowd of 55,942 at SHI Stadium on Friday night.
First Half: High-Octane Offensive Showcase
The game erupted from the opening kickoff with Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen returning the kick 100 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for a back-and-forth first half that would see five lead changes and three ties.
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis quickly responded, leading a six-play, 75-yard drive capped by Antwan Raymond’s five-yard touchdown run. Raymond’s score evened the game at 7-7 with 12:39 remaining in the first quarter.
The Scarlet Knights continued their offensive onslaught when Kaliakmanis himself punched in a four-yard touchdown run, giving Rutgers a 14-7 lead. The quarterback’s rushing score highlighted Rutgers’ early dominance and versatile offensive attack.
Momentum Shifts and Quarterback Battles
Iowa’s Mark Gronowski answered with his own rushing touchdown, tying the game at 14-14 late in the first quarter. The back-and-forth continued in the second quarter, with Kaliakmanis scoring another rushing touchdown and Gronowski responding to level the score at 21-21 heading into halftime.
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Defensive Adjustments and Fourth Quarter Drama
The third quarter remained scoreless, but set the stage for a thrilling final 15 minutes. Iowa’s Drew Stevens kicked a field goal to give the Hawkeyes their first lead of the night at 24-21.
Rutgers quickly countered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive culminating in Raymond’s second touchdown of the night, putting the Scarlet Knights back on top 28-24 with 9:44 left in the game.
However, Iowa’s Gronowski took over, scoring two rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes to seal the Hawkeyes’ victory. His third rushing touchdown of the night came with just 2:14 remaining, giving Iowa a decisive 38-28 lead.
Rutgers defensive lineman Jordan Thompson (#14) delivers a powerful sack on Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski, showcasing the defensive prowess of the Scarlet Knights. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jordan Banks Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff (#8) fights for possession in a critical mid-air moment against Iowa, showcasing the intense competition of the Big Ten conference opener. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jordan Banks Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (#16) signals first down while securing the football during the Scarlet Knights’ offensive showcase against Iowa. His dual-threat ability kept Iowa’s defense off balance throughout the night. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jordan Banks Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (#16) delivered a career-high 330 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the Scarlet Knights’ 38-28 loss to Iowa at SHI Stadium. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jordan Banks Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond (#3) celebrates with offensive lineman Tyler Needham (#56) after scoring one of his two touchdowns against Iowa. Raymond extended his scoring streak to six consecutive games in the thrilling Big Ten opener. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jordan Banks
Statistical Highlights
Rutgers Standouts:
- Athan Kaliakmanis: Career-high 330 passing yards, two rushing touchdowns
- Antwan Raymond: Two rushing touchdowns, extending his scoring streak to six consecutive games
- Ian Strong: Career-high 151 receiving yards, fourth consecutive 100-yard game
Iowa Standouts:
- Mark Gronowski: Three rushing touchdowns
- Kamari Moulton: Key rushing contributions in the second half
- Kaden Wetjen: 100-yard kickoff return touchdown
Coaches’ Perspectives
“We got a good, really good group of people down there, coaches and players alike,” Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano said. “We’ll scrape ourselves off the mat and get back to work and fix the issues that are costing us right now.”
“I’m really excited to get the win tonight,” Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “The guys did a great job competing for the full 60 minutes. Sometimes you have to win games like this.”
Key Turning Points
Opening Kickoff: Kaden Wetjen’s 100-yard return set an aggressive tone for Iowa
Fourth Quarter Surge: Gronowski’s back-to-back rushing touchdowns decisively broke the game open
Defensive Adjustments: Iowa’s defense tightened up in the second half, limiting Rutgers’ explosive offense
Looking Ahead
Rutgers will look to rebound next week when the team travels to Minnesota on September 27, while Iowa will aim to build on this momentum in its upcoming conference matchups.
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