Kirk Ferentz gave Hank Brown the ultimate confidence boost after the win over ISU

As Hawkeye Nation continues to let out a collective sigh of relief, Iowa prepares for another in-state rivalry in week three.

Thanks to Iowa native Caden Buhr's last-second field goal, the Hawkeyes escaped Kinnick Stadium with a 16-13 win over rival Iowa State. It wasn't pretty for most of the game, but Iowa found ways to win, especially through the air. Iowa State completely shut down Iowa's rushing attack, holding them to 93 total yards, but Hank Brown and the passing game did just enough. Iowa State didn't make it easy, but Kirk Ferentz was proud of how his quarterback handled the adversity.

Ferentz praised Brown's toughness and leadership after the victory over ISU

Ferentz was adamant that the plan was to play both Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski in week two, and that didn't happen. Brown earned his second career start with Iowa and had a solid game, finishing with 191 passing yards and a rushing touchdown in the victory. The Iowa State defense made it tough for Iowa's offense all game, and after scoring on their first three drives in week one, Iowa didn't score on their first four drives in week two.

The Cyclones mixed up formations and made it tough, but Brown made plays when it mattered the most, earning nothing but praise from Ferentz after the game.

Ferentz praised Brown for his performance in last Saturday's win, highlighting his toughness and leadership. Ferentz said that even though Iowa State made it tough on him, he made some big plays, especially in the passing game. Ferentz also said that he had "good composure" and displayed "some real toughness in the win. Even though Ferentz showered Brown with praise, he stopped short of naming him the starting quarterback, claiming that it will still be a week-to-week process.

Ferentz has not officially eliminated Hecklinski from the competition, saying that both players have worked really hard, but leaving Brown in the entire Iowa State game might have tipped his hand. It has been extremely difficult for both players, not knowing who will take snaps and when, but there hasn't been any turmoil so far through the process. Ferentz says he is still giving Hecklinski opportunities to prove himself, as the staff will continue its assessment weekly. Iowa realistically has one more week to iron out the details before traveling to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan, but Ferentz might have a good idea of who he will choose.

Ferentz didn't announce it, but Brown has a massive leg up in the competition

With Northern Iowa coming to Iowa City in week three, Ferentz and the program have one more game to get the starting quarterback right. Both options played in week one before Brown played all of game two, which suggests Ferentz may have already made his choice. Brown played well enough during the first two weeks, but Ferentz hasn't given him the job. It is unclear what the coaching staff is waiting for, but if Hecklinski were still in contention, he would have been out there at some point last weekend.

Hecklinskihas shown flashes of brilliance throughout the offseason and in his limited time in week one, but it is telling that Ferentz didn't consider playing him against Iowa State. Ferentz said the game flow was the reason Hecklinski didn't play, but it's likely because he already knows that Brown is the starter. He doesn't want to completely disregard Hecklinski's solid offseason work, but he also doesn't want to make the decision too soon.

If Brown starts again this weekend against UNI, that could be all she wrote for Hecklinski's bid to be Iowa's starting quarterback, because Ferentz clearly trust Brown to run the offense more than Hecklinski right now.

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