IOWA CITY — Mark Gronowski’s Iowa debut hardly matched the preseason excitement the 2023 Walter Payton Player of the Year’s resume generated.

The Naperville, Illinois native went 8-of-15 for 44 yards and a touchdown, added 39 yards and another score on the ground and missed the final quarter of play due to lower body cramps.

Following the Hawkeyes’ 34-7 win, Gronowski, who describes himself as his harshest critic, provided a blunt assessment of his play against UAlbany.

“I’m disappointed in how I played today,” Gronowski said. "But, this season, it’s a whole journey. It’s a whole long journey. … Me and the receivers are going to continue to get better every single week. … We got to pick it up on the passing game side.”

Gronowski put Iowa’s passing woes on his shoulders.

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