The Iowa Hawkeyes were on a bye this past weekend but still lost in a way. Iowa fans finally got what they wanted with Brendan Sullivan at quarterback instead of Cade McNamara, but their nightmare just might resurface as the Hawkeyes got some bad news surrounding Sullivan.
After getting beat up against UCLA a week ago, which resulted in a three-turnover game and an exit early due to injury, the Hawkeyes are reportedly ruling out Sullivan for the rest of the season with an ankle injury according to 247Sports.
Iowa QB Brendan Sullivan, who has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes, is expected to miss the rest of the regular season due to an ankle injury, a source tells @cbssports/@247sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 18, 2024
Iowa closes the regular season against Maryland and Nebraska.https://t.co/QCzJlwpZX5 pic.twitter.com/2Em0Q9YRVp
The Hawkeyes have two games left on their schedule this season against Maryland and Nebraska, not necessarily daunting opponents, but they still needed wins. Wins in their final two games of the season would put Iowa in contention for a better bowl game, as they are just barely bowl-eligible with six wins.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz sprinkled Sullivan into games for goal-line plays throughout the season, but it wasn't until Iowa was playing Northwestern, Sullivan's former team, that the plan was to rotate Sullivan and a fifth-year senior throughout the game, at least, that is the story Ferentz is sticking to. After McNamara threw a horrible pick-six in the redzone, Sullivan trotted out for the next drive, and the fans went crazy.
Sullivan's stats didn't jump off the page, but he simply managed the game and made plays when he needed to. Against his former team, the junior transfer went 9-for-14 for 80 yards, 40 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown.
In his first start of the season against Wisconsin, Sullivan again didn't have a flashy stat line, but he did exactly what he needed to do with seven completions for 93 yards and a passing touchdown.
Things took a turn for the worst when the Hawkeyes went on to play UCLA out West, and the offensive line wasn't able to provide any protection for Sullivan. He was sacked three times during the game, had two interceptions and a fumble, and exited the game with what looked like multiple injuries after the hits he took, but the ankle was clearly the worst of them.
Ferentz will now have a decision to make with the quarterback position. Will he go back to his veteran in McNamara but face the hard truth that he just isn't able to get it done, or will he go with one of his young guys and see what he has for the future? Iowa fans would probably go with the second choice, but it is all up to Ferentz, and now there is just hope for a speedy recovery for Sullivan for next season.