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Brendan Sullivan listed as Iowa’s starting quarterback on Week 10 depth chart
Cade McNamara ‘shook up’ after hit in Northwestern game, not listed on depth chart ahead of Wisconsin game
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IOWA CITY — Brendan Sullivan is officially Iowa’s starting quarterback ahead of its game Saturday against Wisconsin.
The Hawkeyes listed Sullivan as the first-team quarterback on their Week 10 depth chart, with previous third-team quarterback Marco Lainez listed as the backup.
Iowa’s usual starter, Cade McNamara, was not listed on the depth chart. Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game that McNamara was “shook up” after a big hit he took.
Sullivan’s elevation to the first-team role followed his 9-for-14 performance against Northwestern. He had 79 passing yards, 41 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
He replaced McNamara in the first half after the ex-Michigan quarterback went 7-of-13 for 73 yards and one interception. Ferentz said after the game that Sullivan’s use was “preplanned” and not a “demotion” for McNamara.
Sullivan, who transferred to Iowa after appearing in 13 games at Northwestern over the previous two seasons, has completed 68.7 percent of his passes in his career with 11 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns and five interceptions.
Barring a change between now and Saturday, Sullivan is slated to make his first start since last year (ironically) against Iowa. He was 12-of-19 for 81 yards and one touchdown in the game at Wrigley Field.
Monday’s depth chart release comes with the usual caveat that Iowa’s plans for Saturday often deviate from what the depth chart lists at the beginning of the week. Ferentz will hold his weekly news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
When asked on Saturday if Sullivan was going to be Iowa’s permament quarterback, he said “’permanent’ is a strong word.”
“We’ll see on that,” Ferentz said.
Here are some other notes from Iowa’s latest depth chart:
- Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee is not listed on the depth chart. He exited Iowa’s game against Northwestern with what Ferentz described afterward as a “lower-leg deal.”
- Tight end Luke Lachey, who also exited Saturday’s game with an injury, is on Iowa’s depth chart ahead of the Wisconsin game.
- Offensive lineman Beau Stephens and tight end Addison Ostrenga both are not listed on the depth chart as they continue to recover from their injuries. Stephens last played in the Washington game, and Ostrenga last played in the Ohio State game.
- First-team Leo linebacker Kyler Fisher, as expected, is back on the depth chart after missing Saturday’s game against Northwestern with an illness.
- Second-team cornerback John Nestor missed the Northwestern game with a “soft tissue” injury, Ferentz said. He is not on Iowa’s depth chart this week.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
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