No way Sullivan isn’t QB1 next week, right

I just don't think he's do it.
If he did, i think Lester would be on the phone with Goetz..
When was the last time an Iowa QB averaged 41 points a game?
We know how Beth loves her some PPG avgs.
 
Never underestimate the Kirkster!
He flashed on that 3&1 play early...
When Sullivan shoulda ran for 1 but went for p.a.
Good man says no one loses job by injury. So does bad coach...
 
I would almost say there is no chance that Kirk will drop Sully and go with a quarterback who was under concussion protocol just a week ago. I can see Kirk wanting McNamara if Sully goes down.
 
Also, Sullivan didn't commit to Iowa until May. No spring ball, just fall camp, and you guys expect him to be the go-to guy from day one. Kirk was already looking to get him in the game last week.

What Sullivan has established in the last two games is his feet are a huge asset, and excellent complement to Iowa's excellent stable of runningbacks. Iowa has had the luxury of easing him into the passing game. Also factor in that the team is short at TE and WR right now.
 
(and excellent complement to Iowa's excellent stable of runningbacks.)

Kirk only plays complementary football when he decides what complementary football is. He'll start Cade! You think he sat out a game suspension to give up two long runs and a Cade turnover along all the way of putting divots in Duke Slater field for nothing?
KF will throw the middle finger up and do it his way like he always has!
 
I get the impression Kirk really likes Cade and doesn’t want to bad mouth him at all. Cade has enough legit injuries you can claim he’s still hurt the rest of the year and not be lying.

I would be ok if he gets the start in the bowl game then Sully comes in after a series.

I like Cade too, he’s just not very good at playing QB.
 
I'm sure I'll get ripped for posting this and I have hesitated to do this, but what the hell. I know someone that's more than just close to the program (megadonor), and he says that it's Lester's decision. It's also well known in some of the outer circles (of the inner circle) of the program (big donor).

Lester wasn't going to come here unless he had full control of the offense. We see that on the field. No question. The offense is hardly recognizable. Awesome blocking schemes, motion, and misdirection. Giving a variety of looks AND coming back to previous looks and running different, creative plays off of those looks.

Sully didn't get here until the summer and only had a few weeks to learn the offense and get reps in the offense. He wasn't going to get the majority of the reps with the 1's during that time. When you watch the offense, the timing is so crucial and it would tough to get a newby able to run this offense while not getting the majority of the reps with the 1's. Also, you can't just give the new guy all the 1 reps in the middle of the season and hope it works. That's why he was going to get a few series last week, against a shitty team, to ease him in just in case of an injury or the need to replace CM.

These coaches aren't dummies. They want to win. Believe it or not, they know more about football than some of us.
 
In 2014, Rudock went down with an injury and Beathard came in for one and a half games (I think). The offense was noticeably better and fans were confident Beathard would remain the starter. The following week Rudock started and finished the season.
 
This also has to be a factor. From the Gazette: "Marco Lainez, who was seen with a cast on his left hand, needed surgery after suffering an injury during the week."

Coaches have a starting quarterback, Sully. They need a second quarterback. I doesn't look like Lainez is an option. Hopefully, the situation with Cade is more of a precaution, and he can practice full speed without headaches & such. Otherwise they're down to a true freshman.
 
In the last two games with Sullivan at QB Iowa has scored 74 points; 40 and 34 respectively. His QBR vs NW was 73.1. He ran 8 times for 41 yards vs NW. He was 9 of 14 passing vs NW. Now, vs WI he had a QBR of 74.9. He ran 9 times for 56 yards vs WI. He was 7 of 10 passing. Turnovers have not been a problem the last two weeks. Cades QBR vs MSU was 59.6 and Iowa scored 20 points, 6 of those when Sullivan was brought in to score in the red zone. I've gone over the QBR numbers for CM this season.
IL State: CM - 52.6, ISU: CM - 11.4, Troy: CM - 40.8, MN: CM - 33.2, WA: CM - 72.8, OSU: CM - 56.5.

In Iowa's last two games BS has exceeded the QBR of all CM games as a starter. This should be a no brainer that BS should remain the starter at QB.
 
This all being said. I dunno how I would feel if they brought in McNamara for a random series. Or a couple snaps. I'm always a fan of throwing curve balls.

I'd either be thrilled or ticked. I suppose, if it worked I'd say it was brilliant. If it didn't, I'd call for Ferentz' job.
 
It's the Iowa one two punch

Sullivan (wears #1) is now the #1 QB

Kaleb Johnson (wears #2) is the All American RB

GIFs by @cackhanded — One-two punch, a GIF from Police Squad!


YES YES

It is
 
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An "out" for Kirk would be to start McNamara (if healthy) but have him on a short leash.

Kirk is stubborn and loyal to a fault, no doubt, but most coaches don't like the look of a player losing a starting spot due to injury.

The onus would be on McNamara - if he doesn't perform, the coaches can justifiably make the change and rightfully state that Sullivan has "earned the right" to start.
 
In the last two games with Sullivan at QB Iowa has scored 74 points; 40 and 34 respectively. His QBR vs NW was 73.1. He ran 8 times for 41 yards vs NW. He was 9 of 14 passing vs NW. Now, vs WI he had a QBR of 74.9. He ran 9 times for 56 yards vs WI. He was 7 of 10 passing. Turnovers have not been a problem the last two weeks. Cades QBR vs MSU was 59.6 and Iowa scored 20 points, 6 of those when Sullivan was brought in to score in the red zone. I've gone over the QBR numbers for CM this season.
IL State: CM - 52.6, ISU: CM - 11.4, Troy: CM - 40.8, MN: CM - 33.2, WA: CM - 72.8, OSU: CM - 56.5.

In Iowa's last two games BS has exceeded the QBR of all CM games as a starter. This should be a no brainer that BS should remain the starter at QB.

Seinfeld Jerry GIF - Seinfeld Jerry Kramer - Discover & Share GIFs


It's a no brainer, Jerry
 
In the last two games with Sullivan at QB Iowa has scored 74 points; 40 and 34 respectively. His QBR vs NW was 73.1. He ran 8 times for 41 yards vs NW. He was 9 of 14 passing vs NW. Now, vs WI he had a QBR of 74.9. He ran 9 times for 56 yards vs WI. He was 7 of 10 passing. Turnovers have not been a problem the last two weeks. Cades QBR vs MSU was 59.6 and Iowa scored 20 points, 6 of those when Sullivan was brought in to score in the red zone. I've gone over the QBR numbers for CM this season.
IL State: CM - 52.6, ISU: CM - 11.4, Troy: CM - 40.8, MN: CM - 33.2, WA: CM - 72.8, OSU: CM - 56.5.

In Iowa's last two games BS has exceeded the QBR of all CM games as a starter. This should be a no brainer that BS should remain the starter at QB.
If BS doesn't remain the starter it will be bs.
 
I have been saying from Week 1 that McNamara wasn't the answer. He was not good enough with his arm to make up for his complete lack of threat as a runner. There was no guarantee Sullivan would be any better with his arm, but he couldn't be much worse, and the added dimension of his legs was needed.

Now that we have seen Sullivan play the last 6 quarters, we can see what his legs add. However, we can also see some of his limitations as a drop back passer.

While I think Sullivan should primarily be the guy going forward, he is not good enough that he absolutely has to be on the field at all times. Let McNamara have some packages that stress defenses in different ways, and make the opponents prepare for two different guys. The common wisdom is you have to pick 1 QB and roll with him, but common wisdom is often wrong. Neither of these guys is a superstar, but if we can take advantage of some of the things each of them do well, we can elevate both of them. Remember when Purdue played 3 different QBs and baffled our D back in 2021?

Now, you have to get both guys, and the team, on board with such a plan. But, that is what KF is supposed to be a master of, getting the team all on one page.

I am not suggesting any of this WILL happen, but it would be an interesting thing to try in a season where the Hawks should be in YOLO mode.
 
Based upon what we have seen thus far, what would McNamara add to the position, that Sullivan cannot do?
McNamara has a lot more experience and familiarity with the system than Jackson Stratton, a redshirt sophomore Colorado State transfer added in June.

I still think Sullivan is going to start. The coaches also want NcNamera fully ready if possible.
 

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