The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) are fresh off a gritty, come-from-behind 26-16 win over Michigan State (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten).
It featured an electric 70-yard punt return touchdown from star defensive back Cooper DeJean that sent Kinnick Stadium into pandemonium and put Iowa in front to stay.
During the win, starting quarterback Cade McNamara was injured on a scramble. In the days since, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz revealed that McNamara will indeed miss the rest of the 2023 season with a torn ACL.
That meant that the Hawkeyes turned to backup quarterback and Wisconsin transfer Deacon Hill versus Michigan State and that they will the rest of the way in 2023.
Given the circumstances, Hill performed well. The 6-foot-3, 258 pound sophomore completed 11-of-27 passes for 115 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Hill’s lone touchdown toss went to senior tight end Erick All, who caught the pass from Hill, broke several tackles and then powered his way into the end zone from 13 yards out.
It didn’t help Hill’s stat line that Iowa receivers dropped a number of passes. But, the most important stat for Hill is that he and the Hawkeyes found a way to pick up their first Big Ten win of 2023.
The Santa Barbara, Calif., native will get his first career start coming up on Saturday as the Hawkeyes welcome in the Purdue Boilermakers at 2:30 p.m. CT on Peacock.
With Hill now grabbing the reins, what does it mean for the rest of Iowa’s season? Let’s take a look at how ESPN’s matchup predictor is forecasting the remainder of Iowa’s season now that Hill is officially running the show.