Cade McNamara is ‘improving,’ Kirk Ferentz says, despite 3 turnovers vs. Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Iowa football does not have a quarterback “controversy,” as 26th-year head coach Kirk Ferentz sees it.

“We evaluate every position week-to-week, but we’re comfortable,” Ferentz said.

In fact, Ferentz said Cade McNamara is “improving.”

That is despite McNamara committing three turnovers on three consecutive possessions in the third and fourth quarters of the Hawkeyes’ 35-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State.

Ferentz acknowledged it “sounds funny with the turnovers today,” but praised his level of comfort and timing.

“He’s more comfortable and more decisive and quicker getting the ball out,” Ferentz said. “He was doing a really good job of that in the first half. They were rushing the pass pretty well too then. ... We just have to get better collectively.”

His turnovers aside, the ex-Michigan quarterback was 14-of-20 for 98 yards. His passer rating of 101.2 on Saturday, if continued over the course of the season, would be second-worst among Power Four quarterbacks.

Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who started four games for Northwestern last year, was in the game for one drive in the fourth quarter. He had a 12-yard completion, 30-yard run and one sack.

McNamara has completed 63.9 percent of his passes this season while throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions. He entered play on Saturday ranking 105th out of 124 qualifying FBS quarterbacks in passer rating.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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