Ferentz Ties for Big Ten Win Leadership: A Historic Achievement!

Xavier Williams had an impressive night, rushing for 122 yards and scoring a touchdown, helping Iowa secure a 34-7 victory over Albany. With this win, coach Kirk Ferentz tied Woody Hayes for the most wins in Big Ten history, marking his 205th victory in 27 seasons with the Hawkeyes.

Despite this milestone, the celebration in the locker room focused more on the win than the record. Quarterback Mark Gronowski said, “You know how humble he is. I mentioned it to him, and he just shrugged it off.” Ferentz himself emphasized the importance of the game, stating, “It was just good to get the win. That’s what we came for.”

The game started slow for Iowa, but their offense found its rhythm. Gronowski, making his debut after transferring from South Dakota State, struggled initially, completing just 44 yards in the air. However, he managed to score once by passing and once by running before leaving the game due to cramps in the third quarter.

With Gronowski sidelined, Williams took charge. After starting running back Kamari Moulton was injured, Williams stepped in and quickly showcased his talent. He mentioned Moulton’s advice: “He pretty much said, ‘Go out there and go crazy,'” which he took to heart. His performance marked him as the first Iowa freshman to rush for over 100 yards in his debut since Shonn Greene in 2005.

Coach Ferentz praised Williams, saying, “He played like a veteran. He didn’t look out of place at all.” Overall, Iowa dominated on the ground, outgaining Albany 310-43. Gronowski noted the offensive line’s effort, saying, “Three hundred yards, you can’t ask for anything better than that.”

Albany briefly led the game 7-3 in the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Jack Shields to Lasalle Rose Jr. However, Iowa quickly answered back with a 65-yard drive capped off by Williams’ 3-yard touchdown run. Gronowski then threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Wetjen, pushing Iowa ahead 17-7 at halftime.

The team kept up the momentum in the second half. Gronowski added a 1-yard touchdown run, extending Iowa’s lead to 24-7. Drew Stevens impressively kicked a career-long 55-yard field goal, and backup quarterback Hank Brown scored to seal the 34-7 win.

This victory not only showcased a promising performance from Williams but also highlighted the resilience of the Iowa team. As the season progresses, the focus will remain on building on this success, aiming for more wins and solidifying Ferentz’s legacy.

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