What a Saturday night it was for college football fans! With dramatic comebacks, statement victories, and players rising to the occasion, October 18, 2025, delivered a slate of games that will be talked about for weeks to come. From Iowa City to Tuscaloosa and Orlando, teams battled not just for wins, but for momentum in their respective conference races. Let’s dive into the action-packed highlights and the stories behind the scores.
First up, the Iowa Hawkeyes staged a heart-stopping rally to edge out Penn State 25-24 in front of a raucous crowd at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski put on a show for the ages, rushing for a career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns. With just under five minutes to play, things looked bleak for the Hawkeyes as Penn State’s Ryan Barker nailed a 32-yard field goal, putting the Nittany Lions ahead 24-19. But if there’s one thing Iowa fans know, it’s never count out this team—especially with Gronowski under center.
On the very first play after the ensuing kickoff, Gronowski broke loose for a stunning 67-yard run, electrifying the stadium and setting up Kaden Wetjen’s go-ahead 8-yard touchdown run just one play later. Wetjen’s score, coming with 3:54 left on the clock, gave Iowa a 25-24 lead. Gronowski’s two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete, leaving the door just barely open for Penn State. But Iowa’s defense, as gritty as ever, snuffed out the Nittany Lions’ hopes by stopping them on fourth down at the Penn State 49-yard line. Gronowski then sealed the deal himself with a 14-yard rumble on third down, allowing the Hawkeyes to run out the clock and celebrate a dramatic win.
“We brought in Gronowski because of his mobility, and he’s shown that all season, but especially tonight,” one Iowa coach was quoted as saying. The Hawkeyes’ decision to bring in the South Dakota State transfer has paid off handsomely, with Gronowski’s legs proving to be a game-changer. It wasn’t just his late-game heroics, either—he scored a 1-yard touchdown late in the first half and added a 4-yard score in the third quarter to keep Iowa in striking distance.
Penn State, meanwhile, suffered its fourth straight defeat in what’s been a tumultuous stretch. Saturday’s game was the first under interim coach Terry Smith, who took the reins just six days after the firing of longtime head coach James Franklin. Despite the loss, running back Kaytron Allen shined, racking up 145 yards and two touchdowns. Still, Penn State fans will be left wondering what could have been, especially after they led 14-10 at halftime thanks to a wild sequence: Iowa kicker Drew Stevens had a 66-yard field goal attempt blocked with six seconds left, and Penn State’s Elliot Washington II scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown. Talk about a momentum swing!
But Iowa’s resilience and knack for late-game drama were simply too much for the Nittany Lions. With this win, the Hawkeyes improve to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while Penn State falls to 3-4 and remains winless in conference play. Iowa now carries serious momentum, especially after last week’s 37-0 thrashing of Wisconsin. Next up, the Hawkeyes host Minnesota, while Penn State faces a daunting road trip to Ohio State on November 1.
Down south in Tuscaloosa, the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide flexed their muscle yet again, dispatching No. 11 Tennessee 37-20 in a game that had all the makings of a classic SEC showdown. Tennessee came into Bryant-Denny Stadium hungry for their first win there since 2003, but Alabama was having none of it. With the victory, Alabama improved to 6-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the SEC, while Tennessee dropped to 5-2 and 2-2 in conference play.
After the game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel faced the media and didn’t mince words about his team’s performance. “Disappointing result. Ultimately, offensively, just self-inflicted wounds in the first half killed a bunch of our drives,” Heupel said. He credited his team’s fight in the second half but admitted, “We lost in the details tonight. Ultimately, that’s my responsibility, our responsibility, players and coaches together.”
Heupel also addressed a pivotal moment at the end of the first half, when a play-action pass attempt resulted in a costly touchdown for Alabama. “End of the first half, nine seconds, no timeouts. You’re left with a decision. Do you want two opportunities or one? So, got a little play-action, and he [Joey Aguilar] leaves the ball inside a little bit, and goes back for six. Big play in the football game for sure.”
Despite the loss, Heupel praised the effort of individual players, including defensive lineman Carson Gentle, saying, “Yeah, that’s somebody that we’ve been working here during training camp, and he’s got a natural feel for it. Has experience doing some of that in high school as well.” But ultimately, it was Alabama’s night, as they completed a gauntlet of four straight ranked opponents with four wins, cementing their status as a national title contender. Tennessee, meanwhile, will have to regroup and address the mistakes that cost them dearly in Tuscaloosa.
Not to be outdone, the UCF Knights delivered their own statement victory in Orlando, snapping a three-game losing streak with a commanding 45-13 win over West Virginia. Quarterback Tayven Jackson, returning from injury, looked sharp and confident, completing 23 of 34 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those scores came on fourth-down passes to wide receiver Chris Domercant, showcasing Jackson’s poise under pressure and aggressive play-calling from the UCF coaching staff.
The Knights’ offense was firing on all cylinders, and Jackson’s return breathed new life into a squad that had been reeling in recent weeks. With the win, UCF fans can finally exhale and look forward to the rest of the season with renewed optimism. The victory not only halted a worrying skid but also reminded everyone of the talent and resilience that exists within the program.
As the dust settles on a wild Saturday, one thing is clear: college football’s unpredictability and passion are alive and well. Whether it’s a transfer quarterback leading a late rally, a perennial powerhouse defending its turf, or a team snapping a losing streak with a gutsy performance, the stories from October 18, 2025, are sure to be remembered. With conference races heating up and postseason dreams on the line, fans can expect even more drama as the season rolls on. Buckle up—there’s plenty more football to come!
