Tag: Brendan Sullivan

Wisconsin upcoming opponent makes significant quarterback change in Week 9 win

Wisconsin upcoming opponent makes significant quarterback change in Week 9 win

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) enter the schedule stretch that will likely define how the season is viewed. That is due to the upcoming trio of rivalry matchups, the first coming this weekend on the road at Iowa (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten).

Wisconsin fell to Iowa 15-6 at Camp Randall Stadium in 2023. Saturday’s Week 10 matchup presents a chance at redemption for that loss, and a chance for Luke Fickell’s team to show that its Week 9 loss to No. 3 Penn State doesn’t signal a larger slide.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 9: Penn State makes a statement

Iowa enters Saturday after a dominant 40-14 win over Northwestern in Week 9. The Hawkeyes have been mostly up-and-down to start the season, with big wins over Minnesota and Washington, plus tough losses to Michigan State and No. 4 Ohio State.

The dominant victory over Northwestern may signal a turning of the corner, however, because it coincided with the team inserting QB Brendan Sullivan into the starting lineup in place of Cade McNamara.

Kirk Ferentz made the move early in the first half with the Hawkeyes trailing 7-3. Sullivan, a Northwestern transfer, instantly made the move appear to be the correct one. The Hawkeyes went on to score 37 unanswered points, highlighted by three consecutive touchdown drives to begin the second half.

Sullivan’s dual-threat ability changed the game for an offensive unit that only featured star RB Kaleb Johnson up to that point. As seen below, his speed brings a dimension that Iowa has lacked for years.

Sullivan finished the afternoon nine of 14 passing for 79 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and a QBR of 74.8. He also added 41 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz did not confirm any long-term plan when speaking with reporters postgame. “We’ll see on that,” he said. “Permanent’ is a strong word.”

From an outside perspective, it would be surprising to see Ferentz go back to a QB in McNamara whose season-long stats tell the story — 104 of 172 passing, 1,017 yards (127 yards per game), six touchdowns, five interceptions and a 37.1 QBR. The Hawkeyes were winning games with him under center, but almost entirely due to a strong defense and the emergence of RB Kaleb Johnson.

The glimpse of the Hawkeyes’ offense with a dual-threat QB in Sullivan under center, albeit against a poor Northwestern defense, should be all the staff needs to make the permanent change.

From a Wisconsin perspective, Sullivan’s emergence changes the calculus of the matchup. The Badgers have famously struggled with dual-threat quarterbacks — including with Penn State backup Beau Pribula just last week.

That emergence, if Ferentz keeps him in, significantly lowers Wisconsin’s chances at escaping Kinnick Stadium with a victory.

We will monitor what the Iowa head coach says during his weekly media availability ahead of the Badgers and Hawkeyes meeting at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night.

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Kirk Ferentz not ready to name Brendan Sullivan Iowa’s permanent starter

Brendan Sullivan provided a spark. Kirk Ferentz discussed what Sully brought to the Hawks in Iowa’s 40-14 win over Northwestern.

The Iowa Hawkeyes rolled to an important 40-14 bounce back victory over Northwestern on Saturday from Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) came alive in the second half to morph a 12-7 lead at the break into an emphatic win. The Hawkeyes got a spark from someone that the fan base has been pining for, too.

After graduate quarterback Cade McNamara threw an 85-yard pick-six to Northwestern defensive back Theran Johnson, Iowa turned to junior backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan.

Though Iowa had a trio of three-and-outs on his first three series, Sullivan and the Hawkeye offense got rolling after that.

Sullivan directed a five-play, 52-yard touchdown drive before halftime to give the Hawkeyes their lead at the break. It was capped by junior running back Kaleb Johnson’s 26-yard rushing touchdown.

Then, the floodgates opened in the third quarter.

Sullivan engineered three more touchdown drives in the third quarter, including Sullivan’s 6-yard touchdown run. Johnson added two more touchdown runs of 41 and 25 yards.

Sullivan finished 9-of-14 passing for 79 yards and added 41 yards on the ground.

Afterwards, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked what prompted the quarterback switch to Sullivan and if Sullivan is now Iowa’s permanent starting quarterback moving forward.

“Yeah, we’ll see on that. Permanent’s a strong word. It’s like super glue or whatever. We had already made the decision during the week that we were going to rotate Brendan in a little bit. Thought third or fourth series depending on how it played out, so it just worked out that way. And then he did a really nice job. Cade was shook up also after the hit he took,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz was also asked if Sullivan’s mobility opened up things for Johnson and the Hawkeye offense.

“Yeah, that’s the clear contrast. I think that’s one of Brendan’s strengths is he’s a really good athlete and really good at that. And then the other thing is, he commanded the game, which is, no matter what your style is as a quarterback, you have to do that. It was a really good outing and I think we got into a little flow in the second half.

“That was certainly encouraging. There’s give and take with everything you do, but really, really happy with the way he stepped in. I thought he played with great poise. I didn’t think too much about it, but, playing his former team, you always worry about emotions a little bit. Didn’t worry too much about it, but it didn’t seem to be a factor either,” Ferentz said.

Sullivan has been working red zone and goal line packages for Iowa during the course of this season. After getting his first extended look, Ferentz discussed staying the course with Sullivan during a slow offensive start and how Sullivan has worked to be ready for this opportunity.

“We’re going to have three-and-outs. That’s part of it, too. We’re playing good teams. These guys are feisty on defense. They played and made it hard on us. We knew it was going to be that way. When it’s 7-5, I’m like, here we go again, one of these weird games we end up in sometimes.

“Yeah, can’t say enough about Brendan because he got here in June. Tim got here first of February roughly. He was really playing catch-up not being here this spring. There’s a lot to learn, a lot of words, all those kinds of things. He’s worked hard at that.

“Same thing about Jacob. Those guys jumped in there and did a really good job being focused on the right things. They both have good work ethics and they’re mature guys, which I think helps, too. He’s experienced.

“Fun fact. Brendan was actually the losing pitcher in this game last year. Today he’s the winning pitcher. How much does that happen? Interesting. On different teams. Both were the right way, too, by the way,” Ferentz said.

With Ferentz noncomittal on whether or not Sullivan is Iowa’s full-time starter moving forward, he was asked if he would be okay rotating Sullivan and McNamara.

“We did it in ’81. You weren’t alive. It worked out OK.

“I mean, yeah, we’ll do what’s best for the team. Going back to the point earlier about the rotation. It wasn’t we were benching Cade, we were going to give Brendan a chance, too. He’s done some good things. Gives us a chance to look at him.

“He did a lot of really good things today, a lot of things he’ll get better at, too. That’s encouraging. Hopefully we have two guys we can win with,” Ferentz said.

Iowa returns to action next week with its rivalry date versus Wisconsin.

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Kirk Ferentz responds to Brendan Sullivan playing time, usage inquiries

Kirk Ferentz discussed why Iowa hasn’t expanded Brendan Sullivan’s role.

After a lifeless first half performance against Michigan State offensively, questions have emerged surrounding Iowa’s decision to stick with graduate quarterback Cade McNamara as its starter.

McNamara completed just 3-of-9 passes for 30 yards in the first half in East Lansing and the Hawkeyes punted on four of their five first-half possessions. Iowa gained just five yards and junior kicker Drew Stevens missed a 58-yard field goal on their fifth possession of the first half.

That was a wasted possession and opportunity after redshirt sophomore defensive back Koen Entringer had intercepted Michigan State sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles. It was Iowa’s lone takeaway on the night.

McNamara did complete 8-of-14 passes in the second half for 120 yards with an 18-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Reece Vander Zee. The 6-foot-1, 210 pound quarterback threw a fourth quarter interception that stymied Iowa’s second-half momentum though, too.

Junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan has been used in red zone and goal line situations for Iowa over the course of the season. Sullivan, a 6-foot-4, 220 pound signal-caller, saw a pair of snaps against the Spartans. The Davison, Mich., product delivered a 2-yard rushing touchdown on one of them.

In his weekly press conference to preview Iowa’s opponent this week, Northwestern, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked what is holding him back from giving Sullivan a more extended look as the Hawkeyes’ quarterback.

“I think probably the biggest thing is it’s easier to talk about putting somebody in a game than just doing it, especially at that position. We’ve seen enough good things out of Cade to feel like he gives us our best chance out there. It’s like any position, although obviously there’s more eyes on this position.

“I think he’s done enough good things where we have confidence that he’ll play well Saturday, but we’ll also keep an open mind. You have to. We have to do better than we did the first 30 minutes the other night. We can’t wait until the second half to start going here.

“We’ll keep an open mind, but I have confidence in both of them, quite frankly, and when Brendan gets an expanded role or if he gets an expanded role, I think he’ll do well,” Ferentz said.

Iowa had a pair of short-yardage opportunities on third down in the first half outside of the red zone. The Hawkeyes faced a 3rd-and-2 from their own 35-yard line on their second series of the game.

Then, on its final series of the first half, Iowa faced a 3rd-and-1 at its own 26-yard line. Iowa had McNamara on the field in both instances and on both third down conversion tries the Hawkeyes handed off to junior running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson was limited to a 1-yard gain on the first carry and to no gain on the second. Iowa punted on both series.

Ferentz was asked why Iowa didn’t think about employing the Sullivan package in those two third-and-short situations.

“Yeah, you could make that argument, treat it like what we’ve done with the red zone. You could make that argument. You could make it both ways. It’s a little bit unsettling maybe bringing a guy in… But yeah, that’s something you could consider for sure. Maybe it is something we need to look at,” Ferentz said.

The first question that Ferentz fielded in his Northwestern press conference was about the two quarterbacks. Ferentz was asked what he’s seen from McNamara in practice that he isn’t seeing from Sullivan and where the opportunity for growth is for Sullivan.

“Yeah, I think they’re both doing a good job in practice. Game competition factors in. The guys that are playing, obviously you have concrete examples, and then guys that aren’t out there, you’re projecting a little bit, and that’s part of the deal. There’s never 100 percent answer typically at least.

“But I think they’re both doing a good job, and Cade has to play better, certainly the first half in particular. Really nothing on offense was good enough for us to be, we dug a hole that was too deep, quite frankly, and everybody had a hand in it, but offense certainly has responsibility.

“Cade is going to have to throw the ball a little bit more accurately. I mentioned about the makeables, whether it’s him or anybody else, if he’s got a chance to give us better production, that’s what we need. We’ll keep pushing forward here and see what happens,” Ferentz said.

Iowa returns to action by hosting Northwestern at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday from inside Kinnick Stadium with the game set to broadcast on Big Ten Network.

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Kirk Ferentz details genesis of Iowa football’s Brendan Sullivan goal line package

Iowa might have something here.

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.

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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Kirk Ferentz comments on potential Brendan Sullivan QB package

Kirk Ferentz discussed his thoughts on a potential quarterback package utilizing Brendan Sullivan.

Nothing tells you football season is in full swing like the backup quarterback conversation getting started following Week 2 of the college football season.

That discourse is in full effect surrounding the Iowa Hawkeyes and their quarterback room as they prepare to host the Troy Trojans in Week 3.

During his weekly press conference, Kirk Ferentz was asked about utilizing Brendan Sullivan and his mobility in an offensive package in a similar fashion to Brad Banks being utilized in relief of Kyle McCann in 2001.

As usual, Ferentz played his cards very close to his chest but did not shut the door on a potential package with Sullivan.

“We’ll keep an open mind to anything. Obviously if it’s going to help us win games now, that’s the first priority. And secondly, if a player — we rotate at other positions — it’s a little tougher at quarterback. It would take the right guy,” Ferentz said about bringing Sullivan into the action.

As far as a starting quarterback change, that is something Iowa has stayed away from amid questionable quarterback play the last few years and is traditionally hesitant to do.

Kirk Ferentz was also asked if he feels confident in Cade McNamara continuing to be the starter and put to rest any questions of Brendan Sullivan fully takings over the reins.

“I do. We’ve been on the field twice. Yes, so far so good. I’ll stay on the same page I’ve been on. I think he just needs to play. He needs to learn from those experiences. The faster you learn, the better, obviously. He’s missed a lot of time. I think he needs that. It is a new offense for him,” Ferentz commented when asked if he is confident in McNamara.

McNamara started the year off going 21-31 for 251 yards and three touchdowns but followed it up with a rough outing going just 13-29 for 99 yards and two interceptions.

Brendan Sullivan has only seen some mop-up duty for the Iowa Hawkeyes this season as he has yet to register any statistics.

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Iowa football leaning Cade McNamara as starting QB vs. Illinois State

Kirk Ferentz said Cade McNamara would be Iowa’s starting quarterback if the season kicked off today.

The starting quarterback position for the Iowa Hawkeyes has been a hotly debated topic following the open Kids’ Day practice that saw some controversy bubble up.

Cade McNamara, the Michigan transfer, struggled during Kids’ Day at Kinnick with a low completion percentage and a couple of turnovers. Brendan Sullivan, a transfer from Northwestern, had a better day and gained some ground on McNamara.

With Iowa’s season opener just over a week away, head coach Kirk Ferentz stated that right now the starting quarterback job for their game against the Illinois State Redbirds belongs to Cade McNamara.

“If we were playing tomorrow, Cade would be one, Brendan would be two, Marco would be three,” Ferentz told the media.

McNamara is returning from a torn left ACL that cost him much of the 2023 season, but he has continued to claim he is healthier than he has been in a while.

Behind him is Sullivan who is closing the gap and doing so fast. After being listed as the third quarterback in Iowa’s preseason depth chart, he is up to the second string and closing in.

Sullivan provides more mobility than McNamara and has ties to new offensive coordinator Tim Lester from his high school days when Lester was recruiting him.

Rounding out the quarterback depth chart is redshirt freshman Marco Lainez who has played sparingly but did flash some athleticism when he did play. At 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, Lainez showed some speed with six rushes for 51 yards in Iowa’s bowl game against Tennessee last season.

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CBS Sports analyzes Iowa football’s QB competition

Iowa may have a quarterback competition on their hands. May the best man win.

Things have taken a turn in Iowa City with the 2024 college football season just over two weeks away. Following their Kids’ Day practice, the Iowa Hawkeyes may have a quarterback competition on their hands.

The incumbent starter, Cade McNamara, struggled mightily at the open practice completing roughly a third of his passes along with an interception returned for a touchdown and fumble issues, both of which are big no’s in Kirk Ferentz’s offense.

Behind him, and closing in quickly, is Brendan Sullivan, a transfer from Northwestern, who came to Iowa to try and play rather than be a backup. His performance and McNamara’s struggles seem to be leading to a QB competition.

CBS Sports dove into what the competition looks like.

Most assumed entering Iowa’s fall camp slate that former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara was well-entrenched as the starting quarterback. After all, the veteran opened the 2023 season as Iowa’s starter before tearing his ACL in late-September vs. Michigan State.

While McNamara is still first in line to run the offense, a recent uninspiring performance at Iowa’s Kids’ Day Practice has left the door at least slightly ajar for other options. Iowa did bring in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan, who has started games in the Big Ten and provides some upside as a rushing option. – Will Backus, CBS Sports

Sullivan, a career 68.7% passer, with 10 touchdowns to five interceptions in his career, does provide a boost on the ground over McNamara. Sullivan has run for 257 yards in his career.

Where he does lack is experience. He has only appeared in 13 games over the last two years with the Wildcats. That said, there is a tradeoff. He knows Tim Lester, Iowa’s offensive coordinator, from his time being recruited out of high school. Chemistry exists there and that could go a long way.

There is still a sense that McNamara won’t be dethroned before Week 1 but could see his starting job up for grabs soon thereafter if Sullivan continues to string good days together.

McNamara is still Iowa’s starting quarterback and will likely be the starting quarterback in Iowa’s season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31. However, Sullivan has made things interesting and could continue to push for the QB1 job the next few weeks. – Sean Bock, 247Sports

The Hawkeyes should welcome a quarterback competition right now. They have not had steady quarterback play in a few years and this competition could lead to pushing McNamara to be better or force the staff to realize that Sullivan is the way to go.

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Wisconsin primary rival in midst of unexpected quarterback competition entering 2024

Wisconsin primary rival in midst of unexpected quarterback competition entering 2024

The Wisconsin Badgers are, at least publicly, in the midst of a quarterback competition between Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke.

It being called a true ‘competition’ feels a bit performative given Van Dyke’s experience and track record, and the Badgers’ eagerness to land him in the transfer portal last winter.

Van Dyke will be the team’s starter in Week 1 barring something unforeseen. That inherently makes it not much of a true competition.

Related: Ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs by most pressure to win in 2024

The Iowa Hawkeyes, on the other hand, may actually be in the midst of a quarterback battle between sixth-year senior Cade McNamara and Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan.

That is due to reports from the team’s open practice on Saturday. Those reports saw McNamara struggle mightily — 7/21 passing for 20 yards, one interception, one sack and one fumbled snap.

Sullivan wasn’t much better, finishing 10/21 for 76 yards. But McNamara’s struggles opened the door for Sullivan to possibly contend for the job.

This is a surprise given the context surrounding each quarterback’s situation.

McNamara is back for a sixth collegiate season after missing most of 2023 with a torn ACL. He once led Michigan to the College Football Playoff in 2021, but has not had a full healthy season since that campaign.

Sullivan, meanwhile, transferred to Iowa this offseason after starting a majority of the 2023 season for Northwestern. He completed 63.6% of his passes for 714 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions a season ago and would have likely won the Wildcats’ full-time job in 2024.

All expectations were McNamara would start in 2024 and Sullivan would be developed to start the following seasons. That plan may still happen. But McNamara’s struggles could open the door, at least, for Sullivan to get a chance.

New offensive coordinator Tim Lester is looking to improve the Iowa offense from its No. 132 ranking in points per game (15.4) and No. 133 in yards per game (234.6). There are only 133 teams in the FBS, for the record. The team was the single-worst offense in the entire country, Power Five and beyond.

Lester’s presence certainly gives the Hawkeyes some urgency on that side of the football. Years of the offense holding the team back are expected to be in the past, which could force the OC to make a quicker move if the starting quarterback struggles. That dynamic could see Sullivan take over the position during the season, even if McNamara wins the Week 1 job.

This is a story worth monitoring for Wisconsin fans. The Badgers and Hawkeyes will meet in Iowa City on Nov. 2. Luke Fickell’s program will need a better showing than in its 15-6 loss last season. The opposing starting quarterback will be a significant variable in that equation.

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Iowa Hawkeyes among best Big Ten transfer portal grades for 2024 season

Addition by subtraction.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have been involved in the portal quite a bit this offseason. As is nowadays in the modern era of college football, arrivals and departures are happening with each team as frequently as an airport.

Iowa’s offseason was headlined by a few transfer portal happenings. The first, and biggest impact, was the addition of Kadyn Proctor only to shortly be followed by his second departure.

Following that saga, Iowa was able to add two quarterbacks in the portal, Brendan Sullivan from Northwestern and Jackson Stratton from Colorado State, to fill out the QB room after Deacon Hill left in the portal.

Iowa had 13 departures additions in the portal, but CBS Sports’ transfer portal recap has them as the No. 4 best net rating gain in the Big Ten behind just Ohio State, Purdue, and Nebraska.

Despite losing 13 players to the portal, the average transfer rating of those coming to Iowa was 88.75 and the quality of the arrivals vastly outweighs that of the 13 departures. The Hawkeyes had a net rating gain of 3.57.

The transfer portal additions for Iowa include the aforementioned Sullivan and Stratton in the quarterback room but also see reinforcements coming elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball.

Joining the two quarterbacks are Jacob Gill, a wide receiver coming from Northwestern like Sullivan, and Cade Borud, an interior offensive lineman coming from North Dakota who has the ability to immediately plug-and-play up front.

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Iowa Hawkeyes in hopeful spot in ESPN’s QB tier rankings

It can only go up. Right?

The quarterback situation for the Iowa Hawkeyes is beginning to feel like the never-ending topic of discussion that finds itself with the same result at the end of each season.

Could the 2024 college football season be different? There is some optimism. For the first time in a while, Iowa appears they may have two capable quarterbacks on the depth chart in Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan, a transfer receiving some hype.

No one is expecting Iowa to be one of the elite quarterback rooms in the country. But that’s okay. If they can steady the ship and be in the middle of the pack, they’ll be just fine with their defense.

As far as where they rank among all 134 schools, ESPN slotted all schools into 20 tiers and placed Iowa into Tier 13, “Year II, Part II” in their recent QB rankings. This tier is described as teams who need a big step forward.

Well, each of these likely starters fits the bill, returning for Year 2 in a familiar place with a chance to take a big step forward. It’s just that step needs to be a bit bigger than other Year 2 transfers. – David Hale, ESPN

Fortunately for Iowa, forward seems like the only way that they could go with more depth and a new offensive coordinator in Tim Lester. Other schools in this tier include Auburn, Houston, and fellow Big Ten members Illinois and Purdue.

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