Beathard is clearly compromised, but plans to play

IOWA CITY — Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard didn't offer any specifics on his health/injury status, instead referring questions to head coach Kirk Ferentz, where health/injury status questions usually go to die.

The Iowa junior did say, however, this about his health/injury status going into the weekend at No. 21 Northwestern (5-1, 1-1):

'I'm positive I'll play.'

And, as expected, Ferentz didn't dive into specifics, but said when asked if he believed Beathard would play against the Wildcats, 'Count on it, yeah. I'm counting on it, absolutely.'

After the No. 17 Hawkeyes (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) topped Illinois last weekend, Beathard showed up for postgame interviews with ice wrapped around his left hip and right groin. In the third quarter, he seemed to favor his groin and stopped running the ball. Going into the second half, Beathard had 33 rushing yards on four carries. He was credited with one carry in the second, but that actually was a 4-yard loss on a sack.

Then Monday night, wild and crazy rumors flew that Beathard had sports hernia surgery. That was not true, he said Tuesday.

'I felt like I would be sore certain games,' Beathard said. 'Obviously, some weeks are worse than others. You wish you could be healthy all season long with nothing (no injuries), but that's just not the way football is. It's a tough, physical game. You have to expect that.'

Beathard wouldn't directly address how much he would be able to practice this week and deferred to that to Ferentz.

Beathard did show up and talk for 20 or so minutes with media, which usually is a good sign. It's also standard operating procedure for players who might be injured to defer to Ferentz for answers. The natural human reaction is to read things into almost everything. In regard to Beathard, this was a normal Tuesday.

'A lot of guys come up banged up after games,' said Beathard, who completed 15 of 31 for 200 yards and two TDs against Illinois. 'It's a matter of getting better and getting treatment and getting ready for the next game.'

Beathard suffered an injury to his left hip during the Pitt game on Sept. 19. He was asked Tuesday if this is a lingering issue.

'No, it's just every game certain guys with tweaks and stuff,' Beathard said. 'It's nothing serious.'

Beathard being the QB obviously is an important player, but he brings double value with the energy and the steady, but explosive hand he's brought to the passing game.

According to @HawkeyeGamefilm (a Twitter account that charts everything Iowa does on the field) pass chart for the first six games of 2014 and 2015, the Hawkeyes offense has more range this season, with 4.59 air yards per attempt to 4.05. Also, Iowa's offense has seen a rise in yards per attempt (7.62 yard to 6.66), fewer drops (seven this year to 14 last) and fewer bad decisions (two compared to seven).

Jake Rudock had more yards, but he also attempted 207 passes to just 164 for Beathard.

So yes, Ferentz is counting on him, but he also took a few questions Tuesday on Beathard's backup, redshirt freshman Tyler Wiegers (two career passes in two games this season). Ferentz said he's confident and Wiegers is 'gaining ground.'

'He still has not had that game experience, so whenever he does get out there, it's going to be different,' Ferentz said.

On how much he feels he needs to practice to feel comfortable in a game, Beathard said, 'I feel like my position is such a mental game,' he said. 'I know I can throw the ball fine and do all that stuff. Any week of the season, mentally is the hardest part of the quarterback, practicing mentally and watching film.'

Beathard's family has a football heritage. He knew a 'percentage' question was coming and he deftly sidestepped it.

'Right now, I'm positive I'll play,' he said.

The sports hernia surgery was a rogue wave he had to deal with a little on Monday night.

'I had some friends contact me,' Beathard said. 'I don't know where they heard that from.'

Beathard lost two QB races (2013 and 2014) to Rudock before he was installed as starter in January. He's loved every minute of this and doesn't want to miss any of it. So, you know it's going to take hot lava and sharks to keep him out of the lineup.

'I feel like I'm the leader of this team,' he said. 'I cherish each game and you only get 12 shots at them. . . . I want to play in every game this season.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com