Hank Brown will start at quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday against Wisconsin, according to head coach Kirk Ferentz. The decision follows a dismal performance against Minnesota on Oct. 24, where a revolving door at the quarterback position and a series of inexplicable turnovers contributed to a 13-10 loss.
For Iowa, the decision on who takes the first snap is part of an ongoing process to determine what the team can get from the quarterback position after recent struggles.
Ferentz addresses the Minnesota collapse
The decision to start Brown was confirmed Tuesday during a press conference. Ferentz didn’t mince words regarding the team’s play against Minnesota, describing the quarterback performance as “not good enough.” However, he was quick to broaden the scope of the failure, noting that the coaching staff and the entire team shared the blame for the loss.
While the quarterback play was a focal point, Ferentz expressed particular frustration with a “loose ball dilemma.” He noted that while turnovers are a known risk in football, the frequency of loose balls in the Minnesota game was perplexing and unprecedented in his recent memory. He warned that if these fundamentals aren’t corrected, the team will “pay for that on Saturday.”
The struggle against Minnesota saw both available quarterbacks falter. Jeremy Hecklinski started the first half, completing 9 of 16 passes for 62 yards and an interception. Brown, who entered in the second half, fared slightly better in terms of yardage but struggled with consistency, completing 11 of 21 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Kirk Ferentz said Hank Brown will get the start this week against Wisconsin.
A battle of inexperience
Ferentz emphasized that neither Brown nor Hecklinski possesses significant experience, describing the current situation as an “ongoing process.” He compared the decision-making process to the “human aspect of sport,” likening it to a baseball manager deciding when to yank a pitcher or use a pinch hitter.
Brown’s season has been interrupted by injury; he started the first five games before being sidelined against Ohio State. Though he was healthy for the Washington game, the staff opted to start Hecklinski in a 41-24 victory, suggesting that the coaching staff is still weighing the risks of Brown’s volatility against Hecklinski’s limited production.
Beyond the quarterback: Special teams and playmakers
The quarterback struggle is not the only fire Ferentz is fighting. During the Oct. 27 news conference transcript, the coach addressed concerns regarding punter Evan James, who has put the ball on the ground in two consecutive games. Ferentz stressed that fielding the ball cleanly is the “No. 1 requisite” for the position, though he noted James is a “really good young player.”
The Hawkeyes are also grappling with a lack of consistency from their playmakers. Tony Diaz, for instance, has seen a significant drop in production, with more catches in his first two games than in the last five. Ferentz indicated a desire to get the ball back into the hands of Diaz, as well as other key targets like Reece, Kamari, and DJ, to spark an offense that has grown stagnant.
If the offensive line cannot protect the passer or the special teams continue to surrender blocked punts—which Ferentz admitted was a “communication issue” that significantly lowered their win probability—the identity of the quarterback may matter very little.
Iowa and Wisconsin are scheduled to kick off at 11:10 a.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Kinnick Stadium. The game serves as a test for whether Ferentz’s gut feeling to start Brown can lead to a better performance after he described the quarterback play against Minnesota as not good enough.
Kirk Ferentz says that Hank Brown is expected to get the start against Wisconsin this weekend. Story: https://t.co/SylDQE2J5I
More on Hank Brown
Kirk Ferentz on if Hank Brown is the starter going forward:Mentions he's impressed with Brown and he's the starter, but they're not "out of the woods right now." pic.twitter.com/lVa42xpatq
Kirk Ferentz said they went with Hank Brown because he gave them a better chance to win.
FEMA Approves More Than $86 Million for Southeast Disaster Recovery
Federal disaster relief efforts in the Southeast received a massive infusion this week as the Federal Emergency Management...
Scott Fitzpatrick: GOP Auditor Defends Independent Record for Reelection
Auditor Fitzpatrick Touts GOP Independence in Missouri's 2026 Statewide Race “And my record, going all the way back...
Feeding Our Future Architect Salim Said Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
Salim Said, a central figure in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, was sentenced to 30 years...
Kerby Joseph Returns to Lions Practice After Knee Injury
The Detroit Lions are getting a critical piece of their secondary back. Head coach Dan Campbell announced Wednesday...