Iowa Hawkeyes Open Season Without a Decided Starting Quarterback Against Northern Illinois

Quarterback race remains unsettled

The Iowa Hawkeyes begin their new college football season against the Northern Illinois Huskies. As reported by Black Heart Gold Pants, head coach Kirk Ferentz told reporters that after 21 to 22 practices, the program still has not settled on a starter between the two contenders listed "OR" on the depth chart: Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski. The depth chart released the day before the interview showed both players as equally possible starters.

Ferentz said the competition remains close both statistically and by feel, and that both quarterbacks are likely to play during the game itself, using what he described as a "pitch count" approach — rotating quarterbacks after a set number of series, including after a three-and-out. Asked about a third quarterback, Jimmy Sullivan, Ferentz called him promising but not yet at the level of the top two.

Similar uncertainty extends to special teams: starters have been named at kicker and punter, but the competition there has also been described as very close, and both players could see action against Northern Illinois.

Iowa favored heading into opener

According to a roundup of analysis compiled by Yahoo Sports, multiple outlets consider Iowa a heavy favorite over Northern Illinois and expect the Huskies to struggle to keep pace. Commentators also noted that Iowa has not scored 45 or more points in a season opener since 2016, leaving open the question of whether this year's team can break that streak. The Hawkeyes' running back group is highlighted as one of the team's clear strengths entering the season.

The game kicks off Saturday and will offer the first real look at how Iowa's still-unsettled offense performs against a Mid-American Conference opponent.