Brendan Sullivan named QB1, Cade McNamara absent from Iowa football depth chart

Brendan Sullivan has been named Iowa’s starting QB. Marco Lainez is listed as his backup with Cade McNamara absent from the depth chart.

After a whirlwind of postgame theatrics and a few days of stewing on what the Iowa Hawkeyes may do, it appears that the decision has been made.

Brendan Sullivan will be the Iowa Hawkeyes’ starting quarterback this week when they host the Wisconsin Badgers for the Heartland Trophy rivalry game.

Sullivan came in last week in relief of Cade McNamara after he threw an interception returned for a touchdown and provided a spark to the Hawkeyes’ offense which included a runaway second half to bury Northwestern 40-14.

In relief, Sullivan went 9/14 for 76 yards as well as rushing for 41 yards and a score on the ground. His presence provided a noticeable lift to an otherwise stagnant offense and his mobility opened up lanes for Kaleb Johnson to run wild in the second half.

In an interesting turn of events, that may not be the entire story just quite yet, Cade McNamara is not listed on the depth chart behind Sullivan. Following Iowa’s win over Northwestern, head coach Kirk Ferentz did state that Cade McNamara was “shaken up” from a hit he had taken which could play factoring into this development.

Marco Lainez, the redshirt freshman from Princeton, New Jersey, who saw time in Iowa’s bowl game last season, is listed as the second-string quarterback behind Brendan Sullivan.

At this moment, Cade McNamara is still present on the roster on the official Iowa Hawkeyes football site.

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