Iowa’s quarterback battle has reached the point where the answer seems obvious, but Kirk Ferentz still isn’t ready to say it outright.
After Hank Brown turned in a strong showing in Iowa’s week-two win over Iowa State, the Hawkeyes still haven’t formally handed him the job. Brown put up 191 passing yards, 22 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against the Cyclones, yet the third week of the season arrives with the depth chart still cloudy and Jeremy Hecklinski still technically in the conversation.
Ferentz offered the clearest hint yet on Monday, saying, “As I stand here right now, probably yeah, Hank will start [against UNI].”
That “probably” is doing a lot of work.
It leaves just enough room for the staff to keep the competition alive, even though Brown has started the first two games and the signs all point his way. Hecklinski, meanwhile, is still waiting for a real opening after getting only limited work so far. He didn’t get a chance in week two, and against Northern Iowa, the chance may finally be there if Ferentz and the coaches decide to keep the battle open a little longer.
Brown’s case is hard to ignore. Through two games, he has 320 passing yards and one touchdown, plus 34 rushing yards and a rushing score.
Hecklinski has been asked to do far less, finishing 7/16 for 76 yards and a touchdown. That’s not exactly a fair fight, and Brown’s snap count has clearly tilted the race in his favor.
Even Brown acknowledged earlier this week that he still hasn’t been given a “clear answer” on who will start. That kind of uncertainty only adds to the frustration, especially when the current setup makes it tough to tell whether this is truly a competition or just a decision waiting to be announced.
For now, Brown looks like the likely choice again. The only thing Ferentz has left open is the possibility that he’ll wait a little longer before making it official.
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Michigan Heads Into Iowa With Two Troubling Lineup Questions
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Kyle Whittingham offered updates on both players conditions and said he was hopeful they could be back for the matchup in Iowa. For a defense-first game on the road, the status of the backfield and the offensive line figures to matter plenty, especially with Michigan having already shown it can get pushed early before settling in. [Read more 🡒]