Vandenberg, then Wienke and then don’t ask

Unless you're in the mood for a giant helping of sarcasm, don't even ask Kirk Ferentz about quarterback No. 3.

Tuesday, it sounded as though the Iowa coach didn't know.

“I don't think we have one right now,” Ferentz said. “Wyatt Suess (walk-on freshman from Cedar Rapids Washington), Marvin McNutt (former quarterback who's now averaging 23.8 yards a catch as a wide receiver this season). Maybe we'll put the wildcat in.”

They won't put the wildcat in.

The No. 15 Hawkeyes (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) will put in red-shirt freshman James Vandenberg as they fight for the Big Ten title Saturday at No. 10 Ohio State (8-2, 5-1). They'll go with Vandenberg just as they did last week, when starter Ricky Stanzi was injured with a high-ankle sprain.

Stanzi had surgery Monday morning. Ferentz said the surgical route was taken because it has a “predictable outcome.” They also might have wanted to shorten the recovery, targeting a bowl game return.

“For a severe ankle issue like he had, our medical staff feels that's the most prudent way to go,” Ferentz said. “The best way to predict an outcome. We've had other players have it in the past ... We've had good success with them, so I think that's the game plan.”

Apparently, the state of Iowa still needs to be introduced to Vandenberg, who went 9 of 27 for 82 yards in his first vital college action in last week's 17-10 loss to Northwestern.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder is an avid hunter and fisherman. After his baptism under fire Saturday, he sneaked out of town to the Bass Pro Shop in Altoona. His 20th birthday is in a couple of weeks and his dad, Toby, wanted to get the birthday present out of the way because they knew the next couple of weeks are going to be nutty.

While trying on a pair of waders, the sales person asked if he was at the Iowa game.

“So I was up in Bass Pro Shop trying some waders on, some hunting waders. The guy was like, ‘Did you go to the (Iowa) game today?' I was like, ‘Yeah,'” Vandenberg said. “And he said, ‘Did it look as rough in person as it did on TV?' And I said, ‘You have no idea.'”

Get ready to gasp, Vandenberg is not on Facebook. He said he's gotten text messages from unfamiliar numbers, but everything has been supportive.

“I'm just an average guy and he (the Bass Pro Shop sales guy) just guessed that I was at the game, I guess,” Vandenberg said.

Vandenberg is the No. 1 QB. Red-shirt freshman John Wienke is No. 2. The 6-5, 220-pounder from Tuscola, Ill., has yet to throw a pass in college. McNutt hasn't practiced at quarterback since switching to receiver last season.

Vandenberg has been ahead of Wienke since the season started, Ferentz said.

“They both throw the ball well,” Ferentz said. “They're both students of the game. The big thing they lack is experience, and right now James has a huge edge on John since he got in the game the other day. We really like everything about him. I think he'll respond well this week and next.”

Stanzi is making the trip. Ferentz named him a captain for the game.

For what it's worth, with the prospect of surgery hanging over his head Monday morning, Stanzi spent time Sunday night going over video with Vandenberg. Also, Stanzi, on crutches and in a boot, reported to practice right on time Tuesday.

“He's a huge part of our team,” Vandenberg said. “He's one of our leaders. I think a lot of people look up to him, including me and the other quarterbacks. I think it'll be awesome having him there.”

Vandenberg ended up buying the waders, by the way.