No clarity at QB

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Until we see who and, perhaps, how many quarterbacks Iowa uses against Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl, the question will nag and nag and nag and nag.

How does Iowa run the QB position against the Volunteers next Friday?

Iowa had its second practice in Florida on Saturday. During the walk through plays at the beginning of practice, there were distinct first- and second-team groups. Junior quarterback Jake Rudock led the first-team, while sophomore C.J. Beathard ran the second group.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz wasn't made available for interviews on Saturday and isn't scheduled to speak with the media until Tuesday morning. His reaction to the quotes in The Tennessean, where Beathard and his father, Casey, brought up the faint possibility of a transfer, will be a topic.

Beathard, who didn't play in Iowa's last two games and who has thrown just 16 passes in games in November, has started seeing more repetitions with the No. 1 group. That raises the possibility that he could play but likely not start against the Vols. Beathard's dad told the Tennessean that the competition for playing time was 'open' for the first time this season.

Of course, the question there is what changed between the end of the Nebraska game and bowl practices? Rudock did improve his numbers across the board this season, his second as a starter, including cutting interceptions from 13 to five.

So, there's the daily quarterback update.

Linebackers learning, growing and, soon, doing more

... So, yes, the drop-off at linebacker that everyone expected most definitely happened. One immediate stat there is Iowa dropping from No. 6 in the nation in total defense in 2013 (303 yards a game) to No. 19 (334 yards).

The question is, though, did the underclassmen in the group — freshmen Bo Bower and Josey Jewell — learn and show enough to lock into the spots for the long haul.

'No question about it,' defensive coordinator Phil Parker said. 'I think they've done a good job or they wouldn't be out there. These last three weeks have been important for us as a program to improve those guys.'

Quick Slants

... Parker said junior linebacker Travis Perry, who suffered an ankle injury at Minnesota and has been out since Nov. 8, should be ready to go for Friday's game.

Defensive tackle Darian Cooper, who's been out with a knee injury all season, has progressed from riding around on a motorized chair scooter to walking since the end of the season. He spent Saturday on a stationary bike. Parker said the junior's status will be checked this spring.

Running back Mark Weisman practiced Saturday with a harness on his left shoulder. Ferentz said last week that his practices have been tapered.

Freshman guard Sean Welsh ran with the first group. The 6-3, 285-pounder seems to have won the job from junior Jordan Walsh. Welsh started the last two games of the season.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com