Iowa fans are getting exactly what they were asking for from the Iowa offense, and it is all because of the play of Brendan Sullivan. The Northwestern transfer came into the game against his former school due to apparently a concussion suffered by starter Cade McNamara according to head coach Kirk Ferentz, but the timing was fishy.
Either way, Sullivan got his second start of the season against UCLA this weekend, and fans are elated that he is getting yet another chance to prove why he should be the starter for the rest of the season.
In the game, Sullivan made two big plays, one for 31 yards and another for 59 yards, both passing plays and the longest pass plays for the Iowa offense all season long.
Fans are going insane on social media about Sullivan's play and the fact that it was crazy he wasn't playing earlier this season.
Brendan Sullivan ain’t losing this job, folks
— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) November 9, 2024
At this point, if McNamara did ever come back as the starter for Iowa this season, Kirk Ferentz might have a mutiny on his hands with the Iowa faithful.
Brendan Sullivan pic.twitter.com/aJRmJ9kUnA
— Travis Kvach (@traviskvach7) November 9, 2024
We have ourselves a football player!
In the name of the father, and of the son and of the Brendan Sullivan
— flop warning (@duragheadache) November 9, 2024
This is a religious experience for Iowa fans right now, and this tweet proves it.
Zero chance McNamara makes that throw.
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) November 9, 2024
Such a shame that Kirk Ferentz was too stubborn to just start THE BETTER QUARTERBACK in Brendan Sullivan.
Iowa would have beaten ISU and MSU and challenged for the playoff at 11-1.
Fans can't help but wonder how different the season would have been if Sullivan was the starter from the beginning of the season. The Hawkeyes could be in a totally different position right now if he was.
Brendan Sullivan is the perfect mix of Tom Brady & Derrick Henry
— Jack Forester (@jforester2) November 9, 2024
This is quite the comparison and probably a stretch, but he is showing something tonight that he has yet to do since taking the QB position, and that is throwing the ball. Sullivan was obviously a runner, and that was evident early, but the big plays are showing a whole new side to the Northwestern transfer.
What a throw by Brendan Sullivan.
— Brad Schultz (@BradMSchultz) November 9, 2024
Can't believe he wasn't the starter from day one.
A lot of people would agree with this guy, how did Ferentz not see this kid's talent?
BRENDAN SULLIVAN
— Jordan Love #1 Fan (@JordanLoveIsQB1) November 9, 2024
you have saved me pic.twitter.com/qYOOrzCKgh
This photo is perfect for the way Iowa fans feel right now. Hawkeye fans truly feel like they are flying so high right now with an actual quarterback leading the offense.
So Brendan Sullivan is a first round pick
— Jackson (@jdeam81) November 9, 2024
This seems to be pushing it a little, but it shows how much Iowa fans are respecting Sullivan adn wish he had been the starter from day one. This is Sullivan's second start of the year, so he still has a lot to prove because so far, he has beaten Northwestern and Wisconsin and is currently facing UCLA, let's see how he does against Nebraska.