Hawkeyes Roll in Week 2 Heart of America Action
Hawkeyes dominate visiting Tigers, 64-0
September 14, 2025
By Peter Heimer
“We did a pretty good job of maintaining ball possession…and the floodgates opened.” Iowa head coach Tyler Dailey
If there were fears of a let-down after last week’s thrilling walkoff win over Iowa State, they didn’t last long as the University of Iowa men’s rugby team scored early and scored often in a convincing win over the visiting Missouri Tigers, 64–0, Saturday, September 14, 2025. The 64 points – 9 tries, 8 conversions, and 1 penalty – were the most scored by a Hawkeyes team in recent memory. Eight different Hawks scored tries and captain Ren Heimer kicked for 17 points in the 90 degree heat.
The Hawkeyes pack, led by vice-captain prop Sam Zimmerman, prop Tyler Jurva, and lock Jacob D’Aniello, exerted its offensive might early, crashing the line, gaining field position, and recycling the ball, with scrumhalf Michael Johnson distributing the ball well. With the Tigers defense on its heels, the Hawks applied continual pressure, resulting in an early try by Johnson. Flanker Abass Kemokai scored a highlight try, taking a kick and weaving his way through falling Missouri defenders for over 50 meters for a back-breaking score. Iowa would score five tries in the first half, all converted, to take a 35–0 lead into halftime.
Hawkeye try scorers in the first half were Johnson, Kemokai, flanker Daniel Portz, center Kevin Tompkins, and number eight Hudson Vroegh. Vroegh, a welcome transfer from Iowa Central Community College, left the game with an injury, but later appeared to be healthy and should be ready for next week’s match.
The Hawkeyes’ defense continued to smother any real attack by the Tigers in the second half. As play opened up and Missouri tired in the heat, Iowa tallied four second-half tries, three of them by backline players – center Henry Schwob, wing Easton Taylor, and wing Austin Stanley – and one penalty try. Heimer added a conversion and one penalty for 29 second-half points and a final score of 64–0.
Coach Dailey commented, “I was especially impressed with the play of our forwards, both on attack and on defense. They kept things difficult for Missouri in all phases of play. Lots of heady, mature play. Great result that built on last week’s win.”
Coupled with last week’s win over the Cyclones, this week’s dominant display highlighted the squad’s balanced strength, with a clinical offense that consistently found the try line and an unyielding defense that refused to concede a single point. These two statement wins have put the Hawkeyes in a commanding position as they continue their Heart of America conference campaign.
Next up: The Hawkeyes host the Thunder of Trine University from Angola, Indiana, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Hawkeye Rugby Fields.
