One month ago, Reece Vander Zee was in a walking boot, and could only helplessly watch his Iowa team lost a heartbreaker to then-No. 11 Indiana on Sept. 27.
The second-year wide receiver suffered an untimely foot injury just days before the season-opener against Albany, leaving the Hawkeyes without one of their most dangerous weapons to begin the year. Vander Zee returned on Oct. 11 against Wisconsin, but would still have to wait three more weeks to have his signature moment.
Needless to say, that moment occurred during Iowa’s 41-3 rout of rival Minnesota on Saturday.
With the Hawkeyes leading 17-0 early in the second quarter, quarterback Mark Gronowski dropped back on 2nd and 4 and fired a deep ball toward Vander Zee in the far corner of the north end zone. Vander Zee struggled to break free from the grasp of the Golden Gopher defender, but once the ball was on him, it was his for the taking, and he held on for the 29-yard score. It marked Vander Zee’s first touchdown reception and the first passing score for the Hawkeyes since Sept. 13.
Right on the Mark 🎯@mgronowski11 x @reece_vanderzee
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 25, 2025
Vander Zee wouldn’t record another catch for the rest of the game, but that didn’t matter to him. All that was important to him was getting back on the field and contributing for his team, and the sophomore did just that.
“I fought to get back and it’s starting to pay off,” Vander Zee said after the game. “It’s really a blessing to be back, and it’s a great test of my faith. To be back here is a great opportunity.”
And that Minnesota defender? John Nestor, a former Iowa defensive back who made the move to Minneapolis after struggling during his sophomore campaign with the Hawkeyes last year. Nestor has been one of the Golden Gophers’ best defensive players this season, but registered just three tackles and left the game with an injury midway through the fourth quarter.
Though Nestor now plays for a rival, Vander Zee showed nothing but respect for his former teammate.
“I love John to death,” Vander Zee said. “That dude is a great guy, and I wish him all the best. So I miss him, for sure.”
Vander Zee’s touchdown was the highlight of Iowa’s passing game, but the Hawkeyes played arguably their most complete game of the season against Minnesota. Gronowski’s 135 passing yards were his most since the Indiana loss, but the defense and special teams were just as potent.
Punt returner Kaden Wetjen stole the show yet again with his 50-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter, his second score of the season, but was quick to praise Vander Zee for his touchdown.
“[After] all he’s been through. It was awesome, man,” Wetjen said. “We’re good buddies, and it was just super cool to see him make a play like that again. I mean, it was a hell of a catch.”
Iowa’s defense held Minnesota to just 133 total yards and intercepted quarterback Drake Lindsey three times. One of the recipients of those interceptions was second-year defensive back Zach Lutmer, who returned it 34 yards for a pick-six to give the Hawkeyes a commanding 17-0 lead. Saturday’s win was a full-circle moment for Lutmer and Vander Zee, who were high school teammates at Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
It’s been roughly three years since the last time both tallied a touchdown in the same game, but it was well worth the wait. In fact, both scores followed each other, with Vander Zee’s touchdown coming on the next Iowa offensive possession after Lutmer’s pick-six.
“[To] have have two guys, come from there, it’s so special,” Vander Zee said. And it’s such a, such a blessing to be from there. And I hope everyone back home is, is having a good time
Both praised each other’s work ethic and continued improvement after the game, with Vander Zee joking that he felt additional pressure to score after Lutmer’s touchdown.
“I’m not surprised, I’ve seen it my whole life,” Vander Zee said. “The dude’s [Lutmer] a playmaker. He was flying around out there today, so it’s awesome to see him, really come into his role and starting to make plays out there.”
“I never imagined that in 100 years, but seeing it now, I’m not surprised,” Lutmer said of Vander Zee. “He puts in work every single day and competes on every single play.”
After a bye week next weekend, Iowa will enter November with a stellar record of 6-2 overall and 4-1. The Hawkeyes haven’t been 4-1 or better in Big Ten play at this point in the year since the magical 12-2 2015 campaign.
The month has historically been a successful one in head coach Kirk Ferentz’s tenure, and Iowa is ready for the final stretch of its regular season, a slate that includes a home date with No. 6 Oregon in two weeks.
“We got a great opportunity coming up in November football,” Vander Zee said. “We’re always heightened in that aspect. So it’s going to be great.”