The Iowa Hawkeyes rolled out a new offensive package on Saturday afternoon versus Troy.
During Iowa’s eventual 38-21 win over the Trojans, the Hawkeyes turned to junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan in place of starter Cade McNamara in several goal-to-go situations.
Sullivan, an offseason transfer from Northwestern, completed his one and only pass on the day on a short flip forward to junior tight end Addison Ostrenga for a 2-yard touchdown strike in the third quarter.
It was the Hawkeyes’ first points of the second half and ultimately put Iowa in front to stay.
After the Hawkeyes’ win, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked about the genesis of the goal-to-go package for Sullivan.
“During camp, both guys get reps for the most part pretty much with everything. Brendan is a really good athlete, worked hard. This week when we were talking about those situations, we just thought maybe it would be good to have that in our pocket. How much we utilize it or not utilize it, we’ll figure that out as we go.
“He did a good job during the week. That was part of our plan coming in. If the situation arose, if it’s going to help us in games, we’re going to do it. Thought he did a nice job. Guess he got his first completion on that little flip-out there, too. He’s 1-for-1. Can’t beat that,” Ferentz said.
The Brendan Sullivan Red Zone Package.@owensiebring got an awesome shot of Sully’s first TD pass (pitch?) as a Hawkeye. I got the celly on the back end. pic.twitter.com/Y8RsAlQUF2
— Mitch Fick (@MCFick) September 15, 2024
Ferentz was also asked if there’s a plan to get Sullivan more snaps in the middle of the field as well.
“Do you want me to take the hook on that one? Seriously? No, I get it. You have to ask that stuff. I get it.
“I mean, there’s no big conspiracy theory or purpose. He has practiced well. He’s a really good athlete. We thought if he could give us or provide one more dimension, one more thing to the defenses to have to worry about, might have some benefit.
“There’s no big picture right now, but we are going to try to utilize any one of our guys any way we can if they can help us. That’s a good thing,” Ferentz said.
McNamara had a solid day under center as well, completing 19-of-23 passes for 176 yards.
Iowa returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Minnesota for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on NBC for the start of Big Ten play.
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