Cade McNamara remains Iowa’s starting quarterback ‘as of right now,’ Kirk Ferentz says

IOWA CITY — Cade McNamara remains Iowa’s starting quarterback “as of right now,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said in his weekly news conference.

“It’s easier to talk about putting somebody in a game than just doing it, especially at that position,” Ferentz said. “We’ve seen enough good things out of Cade to feel like he gives us our best chance out there. … But we’ll also keep an open mind. You have to.”

Ferentz’s comments follow McNamara’s 11-of-23 performance in the Hawkeyes’ 32-20 loss to Michigan State. The sixth-year senior’s costly fourth-quarter interception was his fourth turnover in Iowa’s last three games.

The 26th-year head coach said after the game in response to a question from The Gazette that there was “no real discussion on making a switch” during the game.

The alternative is Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan, who has entered games in Iowa’s goal-to-go situations since Week 3. Sullivan has completed 69 percent of his passes in his career while throwing 11 touchdown passes and five interceptions. He also has five career rushing touchdowns.

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“We'll keep an open mind, but I have confidence in both of them, quite frankly,” Ferentz said, “and when Brendan gets an expanded role or if he gets an expanded role, I think he'll do well.”

Asked about putting Sullivan in on third-and-1 situations in addition to goal-line situations, Ferentz said you “could make that argument.” (Iowa did use Sullivan in a third-and-1 against Washington and gained 5 yards.)

“Maybe it is something we need to look at,” Ferentz said while going on to reference seeing the Green Bay Packers using tight end Tucker Kraft on a third-and-1 direct snap a couple weeks ago.

McNamara is in his final year of college eligibility. Sullivan will have one more year of eligibility after this season.

McNamara has completed 61 percent of his passes this season while throwing six touchdowns and four interceptions. The ex-Michigan quarterback’s 118.3 passer rating ranks 101st among 110 qualifying FBS quarterbacks and 15th out of 15 qualifying Big Ten quarterbacks this season.

Ferentz is not entirely aloof to McNamara’s struggles.

“Cade is going to have to throw the ball a little bit more accurately,” Ferentz said. “I mentioned about the makeables, whether it’s him or anybody else, if he’s got a chance to give us better production, that’s what we need.”

Still, Ferentz has “confidence that he’ll play well Saturday” — enough confidence to continue starting him over Iowa’s other quarterback with experience playing in the Big Ten.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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