Brendan Sullivan ‘going full speed’ literally, figuratively on his way to Iowa’s starting quarterback role

IOWA CITY — When Brendan Sullivan made his college debut two years ago against Wisconsin, it was “not too fond of a memory.”

Sullivan, then in his second season at Northwestern, replaced usual starter Ryan Hilinski and went 11-of-17 for 114 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats’ loss to the Badgers.

“I had a decent game, but nothing to brag about when you lose by a lot,” Sullivan said.

It was “kind of the same situation as the (2024) Northwestern game,” when Sullivan stepped in for Cade McNamara. Except instead of a 40-14 win for his Hawkeyes, it was a 42-7 loss for his Wildcats.

“I don’t know if I was ready to play that game, just mentally,” Sullivan said, looking back at the 2022 game. “Obviously, I think physically I was ready. Mentally, I didn’t know the things I know now.”

As Sullivan prepares to face Wisconsin for the first time since that 2022 game — this time as the starter rather than the quarterback who came in relief — it helps that he has been operating at full speed literally and figuratively for the Hawkeyes since arriving in the summer.

“You watch the guys in the summer program, and he’s leading the group in sprints, those types of things,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Basically anything you’re doing, he’s going full speed and really getting after it and doing a great job.”

His literal full-speed approach was on display in Saturday’s win over his former team as lofted a quick pass to tight end Johnny Pascuzzi and sprinted alongside Pascuzzi while blocking for him.

“It wasn’t an official race, but you could probably say he’s faster than ‘Scuz,’” Ferentz said. “But it says something about his personality, too — him wanting to get down there and help the play.”

Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett “came up to me and told me I got to finish it next time and then go on to the next guy,” Sullivan said with a laugh.

“So I’ll take that with me,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully I can do that next time.”

One play after sprinting 40 yards downfield with one of his tight ends, Sullivan then ran for a six-yard touchdown. His full-speed running preceded his full-speed competitiveness as he appeared to joyfully exchange words with a Northwestern defensive back after scoring a touchdown against his former teammates.

Offensive lineman Mason Richman said after the game he needed to grab Sullivan after a couple touchdowns because he “started turning and chirping at them.” Sullivan said he was “just laughing with them.”

“Those are guys that I basically became a man with,” Sullivan said. “Spent three years with and have a lot of memories with those guys. So it’s just kind of surreal to see them in the end zone when I’m scoring for a different team.”

It was not the first time Sullivan has vocalized his competitiveness. Offensive lineman Logan Jones said Sullivan “plays with so much passion,” as evident by one of Iowa’s practices during fall camp.

“He’d get after our guys a little bit,” Jones said. “It was the first time I’ve ever seen a quarterback in a brawl before, so it was pretty cool. I loved it. … I think he was going toward the corner of the end zone. He got hit a little bit. Next thing you know, everybody just swarms, protecting their quarterback.”

Wide receiver Jacob Gill, who is especially familiar with Sullivan from their time together at Northwestern, said he has a “good edge to him.”

“He’s a dog,” Gill said. “He’s going to let you know when he’s on you, when he’s making plays. So I love that about him.”

The Northwestern game was Sullivan’s first extended opportunity as a Hawkeye, having previously played almost exclusively in goal-to-go situations or at the end of out-of-hand games. He went 9-of-14 against his former team with 79 passing yards, 41 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Sullivan, having now seen the film from his performance, learned to “be more relaxed in the pocket.”

“Definitely playing Northwestern — big moment, and my first kind of game as a Hawkeye getting real snaps,” Sullivan said. “So I think I was just a little tense out there.”

Even with that tension, Ferentz thought Sullivan “did a really good job out there.”

“Played with poise,” Ferentz said. “Was productive. He’s practicing well so far this week, so off to a good start.”

Sullivan will have at least a one-game audition as Iowa’s starting quarterback. McNamara is out this week with a concussion — Ferentz said he “hopefully” will be back next week — and Iowa’s next-best alternative is Marco Lainez, who went 2-of-7 toward the end of last year’s Citrus Bowl.

He obviously will be seeking a team result in this audition that is much different from what happened in his last audition against Wisconsin.

“Hopefully we can switch that around at a different program,” Sullivan said.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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