Iowa QB Jackson Stratton to start vs. Nebraska while others return to practice

IOWA CITY — Jackson Stratton remains Iowa’s starting quarterback against Nebraska, head coach Kirk Ferentz said on Tuesday. But the Hawkeyes may soon have a few more options at the position.

Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan have been practicing this week and “both look good,” Ferentz said during his weekly news conference.

“Obviously there’s some skepticism yesterday from me going to practice,” Ferentz said. “(Sullivan) looks good. We’ll see how it goes this week. It’s a tight week. We don’t have a lot of practice time on the field. Cade looks fine. Keep our fingers crossed that both of them will be ready to go, then we’ll figure out the batting order going from there.”

McNamara has been out since suffering a concussion on Oct. 26 against Northwestern, and Sullivan has been out since suffering an ankle injury on Nov. 8. McNamara practiced last Sunday, but had an “adverse reaction,” according to a statement he put out on social media later in the week.

Neither McNamara nor Sullivan were listed on Monday’s depth chart. Marco Lainez, the redshirt freshman, was listed as the second-team quarterback on the depth chart after throwing with a cast on his nonthrowing arm in pregame warm-ups at Maryland. Ferentz’s depth charts at the beginning of the week often deviate from what Iowa does in games at the end of the week, though.

Stratton, a walk-on who transferred from Colorado State earlier this year, went 10-of-14 for 76 passing yards in his first career start against Maryland on Saturday.

McNamara, Iowa’s starting quarterback for the first eight games, has completed 60.5 percent of his passes this season while throwing for six touchdowns and five interceptions. Sullivan has completed 68.6 percent of his passes while throwing for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sullivan also has four rushing touchdowns.

Reece Vander Zee, Gennings Dunker out

Ferentz ruled out wide receiver Reece Vander Zee from Friday’s regular-season finale as he continues to recover from his injury. He last played in Iowa’s Oct. 26 game against Northwestern.

“Still a ways away,” Ferentz said of Vander Zee. “Hopefully we’ll get him back for the bowl game. Starting to turn the corner a little bit there.”

The 26th-year head coach also is “pretty sure” right tackle Gennings Dunker will be out as well. He missed the Maryland game with an injury although he still traveled with the team.

“He’s improving well,” Ferentz said. “I don’t think he’s going to make it by Friday. It’s too bad. He’s worked so hard. He’s done a great job. He’ll be back for the bowl. I imagine if we were playing next week, he’d probably be ready for that one.”

If there is any consolation, though, it’s that his replacement Nick DeJong was “probably playing his best game since he’s been here” against Maryland.

Jermari Harris not playing again this week

Cornerback Jermari Harris, as expected, “won’t be able to go,” Ferentz said on Tuesday. He indicated after Saturday’s win over Maryland his decision not to play — over a “medical issue,” according to a team spokesman — was Harris’ decision.

“You’ve got the medical staff says he’s cleared, the player says he’s good to go and then the coach has to say, ‘Yeah I think he can function out there,’” Ferentz said on Saturday. “All three have to be aligned.”

T.J. Hall replaced Harris against Maryland and was listed as a starter on this week’s depth chart as well.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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