Hawkeye Report Podcast

The Iowa football team fell short on Saturday afternoon in Ames. Iowa State scored on a 54 yard field goal for the second straight year in the final minutes to beat the Hawkeyes for the third time in four years. It was a disappointing defeat for Iowa as their offense continued to struggle in the air.

In a combined podcast with Matt Randazzo and his Off the Air Show and Tom Kakert from Hawkeye Report, we take an instant reaction view of the Hawkeyes 16-13 loss to the Cyclones. What did we think of the performance of quarterback Mark Gronowski? Was this loss as awful as some Iowa fans believe or was it actually not an awful loss given that Iowa State is highly ranked and at home and to play them to a field goal game was actually a solid effort in a loss?

We discuss the ground game and who do we think should be the lead back next week against UMass, plus is it Gronowski or is it in part because the Iowa receivers struggle to get seperation in the passing game? Was the game plan this week just too conservative?

We discuss all of that and more on the instant reaction podcast.

It's Cy-Hawk week so we have our extensive preview of the huge game coming up on Saturday in Ames.

But, first, we have a potentially huge story to discuss on the podcast involving Iowa women's basketball recruiting. This week Kyle Huesmann and Tom Kakert put in soft projections for a five star 2026 forward to come to Iowa. Kyle and Tom are on the podcast to discuss the latest involving the recruitment of McKenna Woliczko following her visit to Iowa this past weekend. What are we hearing? Do the Hawkeyes have a legitimate shot?

Then we dive into what will be a very busy fall of recruiting for the Iowa women's basketball team with several other Top 100 prospects scheduled to be in Iowa City this fall. Who are the top targets and what are the Hawkeyes chances?

After that it's time to turn our full attention to Iowa football and the games against the Cyclones this weekend. First we have an extended conversation involving the play of Mark Gronowski. What do we make of his struggles in the opener and if he struggles again on Saturday against the Cyclones how will the Hawkeye fans react?

What does the Iowa offense need to do on Saturday to get the win and we look at the Iowa State defense, which we discover hasn't actually put up great numbers this year in terms of sacks and pressures. We then flip over to the other side of the ball where the Hawkeyes will have to slow down Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht and limit his chances to get the ball to his big tight ends. Are the Cyclones going to be able to run the ball against Iowa? Why are the keys going to be turnovers in this game?

The first week of the Iowa football season is in the books and that means the return of the Chuck Long Podcast!

The legendary Iowa quarterback returns for another season of talking Hawkeye football with Tom Kakert from HawkeyeReport.com. We have plenty to discuss after week one of action, particularly when it comes to the quarterback position for Iowa.

We dive into the overall play of Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski. What did Long think of his performance? Was it nerves that will eventually fade away or is it real cause for concern for this season? What did Long see from his throws on Saturday? Were there better throws later in the game as he started to relax a bit more?

Long discusses what the difference between a passer and a thrower at quarterback and what he thought of the game plan from Tim Lester. We also talk about the really strong run game from the Hawkeyes and how well the offensive line performed.

Then we preview the Iowa vs. Iowa State game coming up this week and if it might be better for Gronowski to be on the road. We react to the first week of action in the Big Ten Conference and pick some games for week two in the Big Ten.

Following Iowa's win on Saturday over Albany, there was plenty for Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo. In a special combined episode late on Saturday evening of Hawkeye Report and Off the Air, which is Matt's show, we breakdown all the angle from the Hawkeyes win over Albany by the score of 34-7.

We start with the most challenging part of Saturday's win and that is assessing the quarterback play of Mark Gronowski. On one hand, he brought a ground game from that position that the Hawkeyes have been lacking. On the other hand, Gronowski only threw for 44 yards against a limited Albany defense. We also discuss the strong ground attack from the Hawkeyes and how Xavier Williams really shined when he got an opportunity, rushing for 122 yards. We also discuss the health of Kamari Moulton and play of Terrell Washington Jr, along with Jaziun Patterson coming off the bench to play well late.

Then we flip to the defense, were other than one drive in the second quarter, the Albany offense was held in check most of the evening. We talk about what the players said after the game and the impactful plays and players that they made against Albany. We also about special teams play in the victory.

The season opener for the Iowa football team is rapidly approaching and we have our one final look at the upcoming game between Iowa and Albany on Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium. Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo dive into all the latest news and the storylines that Hawkeye fans will need to follow this weekend.

We look at what the expectations are for quarterback Mark Gronowski in his first game as the starting quarterback for the Hawkeyes. We discuss the running back and wide receiver positons as well before moving over to the Hawkeye defense and why we think they should have a very good day on that side of the ball.

We also discuss the great news that was delivered this week to several former Iowa players, who made NFL rosters, some for hte first time. We focus in on the great story that Jay Higgins became by making the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.

Then we look at some of the top games on a loaded weekend of college football, including Texas vs. Ohio State kicking things off on Saturday from Columbus.

The first two deeps of the Iowa football season are out and that means we have to do a podcast! Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann break down all the news from the day regarding the new two deeps.

We start with a look at the Iowa offense and the two deeps. What do we make of the four players being listed at running back? What about the wide receiver position? Did we find out there was a going to be a rotation at left tackle?

Then we move to the defensive side of the ball where Koen Entringer is listed at three different positions and what that might mean for the defensive backfield to start the season? We look at a deep defensive line and also some thoughts on special teams.

From there, we preview the game against Albany and Huesmann breaks it all down from his research on the Great Danes team this year. Will this be a blowout win for the Hawkeyes?

Finally we preview women's hoops recruiting with a huge recruit on campus and get caught up on a strong start for the Iowa women's soccer team.

(Apoligize for the audio getting a little choppy in the second half of the pod).

Great to have a very special guest on the show today. We are joined by Todd Brommelkamp, who work with Tom Kakert for several years in the early 2000's while he was the publisher of The Voice of the Hawkeyes Magazine and went on a very successful run as a sports radio host in Cedar Rapids.

We stroll back on memory lane to open the show talking about our memories of Iowa football and particularly Kirk Ferentz. We spend a lot of time reflecting on Ferentz and our memories of him at various points in his tenure. We also discuss several of the great games and players that we covered over the years, particularly the bowl games. Todd also talks about covering the Heisman Trophy ceremony in 2002.

Then we discuss this upcoming season of Iowa football. What does Todd think about the combo of Tim Lester and Mark Gronowski? Could this season be a very good one for Iowa football? Has Kirk Ferentz kind of taking his hands off the Iowa offense? Are there more questions on the defensive side of the ball heading into the 2025 season? Is there concern at cornerback?

We wrap up talking about the Iowa win total of 7.5 and which side Todd is on and his thoughts on the line for the Albany game and the betting line. Then we wrap up getting Todd's thoughts on Ben McCollum and his first impressions of him, along with a few hoops memories.

Iowa football media day and the annual Kids Day open practice are in the books. That means we need to get back on the podcast because we have plenty to discuss. Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo are back breaking it all down.

First we share some big news regarding Matt now being part of the Iowa football broadcast team starting this fall on their pregame show. Then we start by discussing media day on Friday and what we learned from the Hawkeyes players. Matt talks about his long discussion with starting quarterback Mark Gronowski and the confidence he carries with him in conversations.

Then we dive into Kids Day practice. We break down all the numbers and the performances, starting with the Iowa offense and the top three quarterbacks. How did Gronowski look? There appears to be a lot of love for Hank Brown on Saturday? What about the young gunslinger Jeremy Hecklinski?

We also talk about the running backs and the receivers and who stood out. Is Seth Anderson poised for a breakout season? What about the Hawkeye offensive line? Does it appear that Trevor Lauck is poised to take over at left tackle?

Then we flip over to the defense and the starting four along the line. Is Jonah Pace going to start at tackle? Are the starting linebackers all the veteran players? Were there concerns regarding the performance of the secondary on Saturday? Also which true freshmen might be on the radar to play this year?

We have a new podcast with a great guest leading into the start of fall camp for the Iowa football team. Joining the show this week is the radio analyst for the Iowa football radio broadcast, Pat Angerer.

We are fired up to talk some football, but first, we have to review the Hawkeye Report Top 27 games of the Kirk Ferentz era at Iowa to honor the start of his 27th season and his 70th birthday coming up on August 1st.

Angerer and I look back at the numerous games that made that list from his era, including the 2008 and 2009 season and we reflect back on stories from those contests. We also discuss the four most important figures of the Ferentz era and a suprising name for that fourth spot that many people might not consider.

Then we start talking Iowa football for the upcoming 2025 season. Practice gets started this week and we break down some of the most significant players to watch and the position groups to monitor this month. We have some real names that could have breakout seasons as well that are shared on the podcast.

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The Big Ten will be gathering in Las Vegas this week for the conference media days. With that in mind, we bring on our good friend Scott Dochterman from The Athletic to talk about the Big Ten Conference and the main storylines that we will be covering this week.

Scott and Tom Kakert open the discussion by talking about Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and why this week is extremely important for him in terms of establishing his leadership moving forward with regard to the college football playoff and beyond.

Then we move on to a discussion of the College Football Playoff in general and if the Big Ten will go to a playoff weekend once the playoff ends up expanding and what that will look like. We then move on to talking about how the House settlement is working so far and if having a hard cap situation for spending will actually work? Also, are they essentially trying to kill off collectives? What will the end game be eventually for colleges and athletics?

Then we engage in a little discussion about Kirk Ferentz, who turns 70 years of age on August 1st. How much longer will Ferentz be coaching? What would he do if he wasn't coaching?

We also talk about new Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski and what he will bring to the table for the Hawkeyes at the position? Who do we compare him to as a quarterback?

Finally we talk about potential Big Ten coaches who could be on the hot seat this season if things don't go well. Are there any surprises?