After opening Big Ten play with a 38-28 road victory at Rutgers, Iowa returned home and welcomed in No. 12 Indiana.
Though the Hawkeyes certainly had opportunities to end their winless streak against ranked opponents, Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) dropped its first league contest of 2025 with a 20-15 setback against Indiana (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten).
Iowa jumped in front 10-7 with a 3-yard touchdown run from quarterback Mark Gronowski with just 22 seconds left before halftime. But, Indiana quickly orchestrated a drive to set up a 46-yard Nico Radicic field goal to tie the game going into the halftime break.
From there, the teams traded field goals before a late Drew Stevens field goal miss set up the game-winning touchdown. Iowa defensive back Zach Lutmer had set the Hawkeyes up in prime position to win the game, but, operating with backup quarterback Hank Brown following an injury to starter Mark Gronowski, Iowa couldn’t get closer than a 42-yard try.
Stevens’ 42-yard field goal try was wide left. Then, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza connected with Elijah Sarratt for a 49-yard, game-winning touchdown.
Iowa finished with 284 yards of offense, including 192 passing yards. Indiana ended with 337 yards of total offense.
Mendoza completed 13-of-23 passes for 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns against one interception. Before exiting with his injury, Gronowski completed 19-of-25 passes for 144 yards and an interception.
Iowa has an open week before it travels to Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) for a rivalry date at Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 11.
Final: Indiana 20, Iowa 15
Despite a valiant effort, Iowa drops its 11th straight contest against a ranked foe.
Iowa turns the ball over on downs
Driving to try to tie the football game, Hank Brown directs Iowa to the Indiana 49-yard line before four straight incompletions results in an Iowa turnover on downs.
Indiana 20, Iowa 13: Fernando Mendoza connects with Elijah Sarratt
Mendoza connects on a 49-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt on an all-out blitz and that may be a dagger.
Drew Stevens misses the go-ahead field goal try
Drew Stevens shanks a 42-yard field goal wide left to keep the game tied at 13.
Zach Lutmer intercepts Fernando Mendoza
IOWA INTERCEPTION! Zach Lutmer returns the ball to the Indiana 29-yard line!
Hank Brown intercepted
Hank Brown’s third down pass down the middle of the field is tipped and intercepted, ending a promising Hawkeyes drive.
9:47 4th QTR: Iowa 13, Indiana 13
Indiana able to convert for three to tie the game back up.
12:43 4th QTR: Iowa 13, Indiana 10
Mark Gronowski leaves game with apparent injury
Gronowski limped off the field on a third-down scramble early in the fourth quarter.
The graduate senior quarterback headed to the injury tent on the sideline. Though it looked as if Gronowski might return, Hank Brown replaced Gronowski for the remainder of Saturday. Gronowski warmed up a bit on the Iowa sideline but never returned.
14:56 4th QTR: Iowa 10, Indiana 10
End of 3rd QTR: Iowa 10, Indiana 10
3:49, 3rd QTR: Iowa 10, Indiana 10
Iowa punts after a run-heavy drive that ends in a questionable pass breakup.
Dakin punts the ball to the Indiana 14-yard line.
8:16, 3rd QTR: Iowa 10, Indiana 10
Iowa defense holds strong as the Hawkeyes force another Indiana punt!
Excellent work by Phil Parker’s defense as the offense will start from their 18-yard line.
9:05 3rd QTR: Iowa: 10, Indiana: 10
After a run-heavy drive of their own, Iowa is forced to punt.
Indiana will get the ball at their own 42-yard line after the Hoosiers get a tip on Dakin’s punt.
Fortunately for Iowa, the ball at least rolled toward Indiana territory.
11:27 3rd QTR: Iowa: 10, Indiana: 10
Iowa defense forces a punt after a promising Indiana drive to start the third quarter.
Hawkeyes will start their drive from their 10-yard line.
Halftime: Iowa: 10, Indiana: 10
0:03 2nd QTR: Iowa: 10, Indiana: 10
Iowa’s defense plays terribly to close the final 17 seconds of the second quarter; Indiana gets a 46-yard field goal to tie the game entering halftime.
0:17 2nd QTR: Iowa: 10, Indiana: 7
TOUCHDOWN IOWA!!!
Gronowski runs it in a 3-yard touchdown to give the Hawkeyes the lead!
KINNICK STADIUM IS ELECTRIC!
5:52 2nd QTR: Iowa: 3, Indiana: 7
IOWA STOPS INDIANA TO FORCE A TURNOVER ON DOWNS!
Hawkeyes get a HUGE stop on defense to take over at the Iowa 27-yard line!
11:05 2nd QTR: Iowa: 3, Indiana: 7
After a promising drive, the Hawkeyes are forced to punt. Dakin drills a kick that is downed at the Indiana 3-yard line.
End of 1st QTR: Iowa: 3, Indiana: 7
After a brutal interception to start the game, Iowa has found a way to step up on defense and calm down on offense, regaining momentum.
3:01 1st QTR: Iowa: 3, Indiana: 7
Iowa’s defense holds again to force another Indiana punt. The Hawkeyes’ defense has found a tactic that is working against this high-flying offense.
Iowa will start with the ball at its 21-yard line.
6:25 1st QTR: Iowa: 3, Indiana: 7
After the Iowa drive stalls out in excellent field position, Drew Stevens drills a 40-yard field goal to cut the Indiana lead to four.
8:42 1st QTR: Iowa: 0, Indiana: 7
The Iowa defense responds with a strong stop to force an Indiana punt after a third-down sack.
Iowa will get the ball at Indiana’s 44-yard line after an 18-yard return by Kaden Wetjen.
10:52 1st QTR: Iowa: 0, Indiana: 7
After an ugly offensive drive, Iowa is forced to punt. Rhys Dakin boots a punt to the Indiana 15-yard line, where the Hoosiers will start their second possession.
13:33 1st QTR: Iowa: 0, Indiana: 7
After Indiana tipped and intercepted a Mark Gronowski pass, the Hoosiers scored a quick 14-yard touchdown pass from Fernando Mendoza to Omar Cooper for a touchdown.
Bad start for Iowa’s defense against a red-hot Indiana offense.
15:00 1st QTR: Iowa: 0, Indiana: 0
Iowa will start with the ball at their own 25-yard line after Indiana’s opening kickoff sailed out of the back of the endzone.
Iowa, Indiana release pregame availability reports
Iowa released its pregame availability report. The Hawkeyes will be without wide receivers Jarriett Buie and Reece Vander Zee, cornerback Shahid Barros, running backs Xavier Williams and Jaziun Patterson and tight end Addison Ostrenga, who has been lost for the season.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football vs. Indiana: Final score, recap, highlights
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
