Iowa’s first week is in the books, and the focus now shifts squarely to the Cy-Hawk matchup with Iowa State. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones are set for the 73rd meeting between the in-state rivals, and even with Iowa State in rebuild mode under Jimmy Rogers in his first season, this is no game Iowa can treat lightly. The Cyclones have won the last three matchups, outside of Iowa’s vacated 2023 victory, and they’d love to spoil things at Kinnick Stadium in week two.
Before Saturday’s showdown, Iowa’s week two depth chart offered a few notable clues.
The biggest one remains the quarterback situation. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are still listed with an “OR” designation, which means the competition is very much alive heading into the rivalry game.
That doesn’t guarantee a change from week one’s approach, but it does suggest Kirk Ferentz may again lean on both quarterbacks early before settling on the one who gets rolling. Brown looked better against Northern Illinois, and he would appear to have the inside track to start again, though Ferentz still hasn’t said who will open against the Cyclones.
If Brown builds on what he showed last weekend, the quarterback battle could start to narrow after this game. Hecklinski still has a shot, but he’ll need a sharper showing in a loud, high-pressure setting. He’s being asked to push the ball downfield and stay aggressive, but that same aggression could get him yanked quickly if it turns sloppy.
Iowa’s run game, meanwhile, has taken a hit in the form of an injury. L.J.
Phillips Jr. suffered a high-ankle sprain against Northern Illinois and will miss at least the Iowa State game. No timetable has been announced for his return.
That leaves Kamari Moulton as the main option, with Nathan McNeil and Xavier Williams now listed as his primary backups, and Baeden Jackson also in the mix.
The Hawkeyes had plenty of success on the ground in week one, helped by an offensive line that opened up huge lanes, and they still shouldn’t have trouble trying to run the ball again this weekend. But Phillips Jr.’s absence does make the depth chart worth watching. Moulton should keep handling most of the carries as long as he stays healthy, and Iowa appears to have enough depth to avoid a major drop-off.
Then there’s the special teams wrinkle that stands out most: Evan James is not listed as the top punt returner. That’s a little surprising after what he did against NIU, when he piled up 107 total punt return yards and scored a touchdown. Even so, he shows up as the backup to Reece Vander Zee, who is a capable returner but was less dynamic last week.
It’s possible Iowa and new special teams coordinator Chris Polizzi are still sorting through their options, and kickoff return duties also remain unclear after Northern Illinois only kicked off once to start the game with no return. But based on what James showed in week one, he looks like the obvious choice on punt returns until someone proves otherwise.
In Other News...
Iowa Keeps One Big Week 2 Decision Alive Before Iowa State
Iowas official Week 2 depth chart keeps the most interesting quarterback question intact heading into the Iowa State game. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are still both listed as starters, which means the Hawkeyes are carrying the competition forward for at least another week while leaving the rest of the offense largely unchanged. Theres also continuity up front on both the offensive and defensive lines, a sign the staff is comfortable with the foundation even as one of the teams biggest decisions remains open.
Elsewhere on the chart, Kamari Moulton sits atop the running back spot with backups behind him, while L.J. Phillips Jr. is absent because of a lower-body injury. Tight end is listed with four players in starter or backup roles, giving Iowa some flexibility there, and Evan James shows up as the backup punt returner behind Reece Vander Zee. But all the attention still circles back to quarterback, where Iowa has made clear it is not ready to close the book before facing its in-state rival. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Backfield Suddenly Faces Pressure Before A Huge Iowa State Test
Iowas win over Northern Illinois came with a cost that could shape the next week of preparation, especially in the backfield. Offensive linemen Cael Winter and Kade Pieper both dealt with heat-related issues during the game, and running back L.J. Phillips Jr. came away with a high-ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out against Iowa State.
The Hawkeyes have built enough depth at running back to absorb the loss, but the timing is still less than ideal with a rivalry test looming. Any reshuffling behind the line will only add to the challenge of getting the offense settled before a matchup that already carries plenty of pressure for both sides. [Read more 🡒]
Ben McCollum Is Building Something Iowa Fans Will Want To Watch
Ben McCollum is still early in his Iowa tenure, but the recruiting trail already shows what kind of roster he wants to build. The Hawkeyes have lined up visits from two highly regarded 2028 prospects, with Bentley Lusakueno planning an official trip to Iowa and Cole Kelly set for an unofficial stop. Both are versatile enough to fit what McCollum appears to value, and both bring skill sets that could mesh well with the current roster and the offensive system he is trying to put in place.
Lusakueno, ranked No. 6 in the 2028 class, gives Iowa a chance to sell itself to one of the premier young players in the country, while Kelly, ranked No. 34, adds another promising option to the board. For a program trying to show momentum under a new coach, the chance to get those players on campus matters, and so does the broader picture of whether Iowa can turn early interest into something lasting. [Read more 🡒]