Iowa

No QB controversy at Iowa: Kirk Ferentz says Cade McNamara is the starter

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

No QB controversy at Iowa: Kirk Ferentz says Cade McNamara is the starter

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Kirk Ferentz declined to mention a transfer portal commitment’s name (cough, quarterback Brendan Sullivan, cough) and hinted at another (receiver Jacob Gill) in the fold just minutes before it became semi-official on social media. He had no problem mentioning how either player will help the Hawkeyes this fall.

But to ensure his message is not misconstrued after landing Sullivan, a former starter at Northwestern, Ferentz reiterated Cade McNamara is Iowa’s starting quarterback once he resumes full workouts.

“If he’s healthy, he’s our starter,” Ferentz said at the annual Polk County I-Club event. “There’s no delusion there, no misconception about that. And there’s no reason to think he won’t be healthy in August.

“Then if somebody beats him out, great.”

McNamara started five games last year for Iowa and completed just 51.1 percent of his passes for 505 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He tore his left ACL on Sept. 30 and is still rehabbing the injury. During spring practice, McNamara took shuffle steps while dropping back in throwing routes but had no lateral movements and didn’t participate in team work.

After leading Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff berth, McNamara enrolled at Iowa in spring 2023. A right quad tear suffered last August during an open practice hindered his early-season development. It prevented him from practicing for the final two weeks of training camp, and about half of Iowa’s offensive playbook was dumped while he recovered.

“We expect him to be fully healthy,” Ferentz said. “He couldn’t participate this spring, but he was in tune mentally. And he’s an experienced guy — he’s going to be like, 28 now (actually 24 later this month) — so he’s been around for a while.”

Of Iowa’s three quarterbacks participating in spring drills, two opted for the transfer portal, including nine-game starter Deacon Hill. With only three scholarship QBs — a recovering McNamara, redshirt freshman Marco Lainez and incoming freshman James Resar — the Hawkeyes needed another quarterback. Last week, they landed Sullivan.

Sullivan, a junior who stands 6 feet 3 and weighs 225 pounds, started eight games the last two seasons at Northwestern and played in 12. He opened a pair of games against Iowa — both losses — and was 2-6 as a starter. But Sullivan completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns, five interceptions and 1,303 yards and won two starts last fall.

Very excited to get on campus as a Hawkeye and be a part of @IowaSwarm !! Feel free to donate https://t.co/R8n5Zeqk96
— Brendan Sullivan (@bsully02) May 10, 2024

Joining Sullivan at Iowa is Gill, who spent the last three seasons at Northwestern and has two remaining. The 6-foot, 190-pound Gill caught 16 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats. He played in only four games last year because of injuries. The Hawkeyes were depleted at receiver following spring practice, especially after sophomore Jacob Bostick transferred to Texas A&M.

“We obviously had the need at a couple of positions, and I think we’ve added two players that are going to be good additions to our team, and they’ll come in and compete,” Ferentz said. “They’re both older guys, which is a nice thing. There’s some advantages of having transfers, and I think they’re both good fits for our program. So given their specific positions, they’re going to hopefully add to the competition, and hopefully make us a better football team.

“I think anytime you can add players that maybe have experience in the conference, that’s a good thing.”

The Hawkeyes are up to 89 players on scholarship, although the program is not required to place the sixth-year returnees on full rides this fall. Iowa’s Swarm Collective could compensate those players for the value of a full scholarship.

Bluder appears at I-Club

Ferentz usually headlines the I-Club outings, but he shared the spotlight Tuesday with recently retired women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder. The winningest coach in Big Ten women’s basketball history, Bluder chose to participate in the event despite stepping down on Monday.

Bluder, 63, led the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA title game appearances. But in the five weeks after the tournament, she and her husband, David, took a vacation to Arizona and discussed their future. Bluder made several phone calls to coaching colleagues and believed this was the right time to step down.

“My son is going to be a senior at Grinnell College next year, and I get to see all of his games,” Bluder said. “I missed so many of my kids’ things, and it’s just time for me be able to give time to them fully.”

Iowa moved quickly on Bluder’s replacement, officially elevating associate head coach Jan Jensen 23 minutes after the announcement. Jensen spent 32 years alongside Bluder, plus playing one season for her at Drake.

“She has had opportunities and she’s turned them down to stay at the University of Iowa,” Bluder said. “That loyalty, you can’t replace that. Her love for the University of Iowa, being an Iowa girl, that is so important and that’s why she’s going to do so well because she’s so passionate about it.”

Bluder plans to travel while she and her husband are healthy enough to make trips, with Alaska as her preferred destination. It’s somewhat ironic because what she said she won’t miss about coaching are “the road trips.”

“I will miss the players and just the camaraderie of being a part of a team, being part of a coaching staff and a team,” Bluder said. “There’s nothing like that.”

(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

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Iowa

DCI agent say he was fired for questioning Iowa college gambling probe

Published

10 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

DCI agent say he was fired for questioning Iowa college gambling probe

A former Iowa investigator is suing the state, claiming he was fired for criticizing a high-profile college sports gambling probe.
Mark Ludwick alleges his termination was retaliation for testifying that investigators conducted illegal searches and were told to mislead students.
The gambling investigation, which led to charges against dozens of student-athletes, has faced legal challenges over its methods.

A longtime investigator for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says he was forced out of the agency because he voiced reservations about a high-profile investigation into gambling in college athletics.

Mark Ludwick was hired by Iowa’s top investigative agency in 1997 and was terminated in November 2024, according to a lawsuit filed Feb. 20 in Polk County. According to his complaint, Ludwick was fired after two “frivolous” investigations, one claiming he’d exceeded the speed limit driving to a murder scene, and the other for assistance he provided to a domestic abuse victim.

The real reason, Ludwick alleges, is that officials were embarrassed after Ludwick testified under oath about what he regarded as weaknesses in their sports wagering investigation, which resulted in dozens of Iowa State University and University of Iowa student-athletes facing suspensions, 25 being criminally charged and 19 pleading guilty to underage gambling.

Ludwick testified in early 2024 he believed investigators had conducted illegal searches to identify the online gamblers and that he and other agents had been directed to lie to students about whether they were subjects of the investigation. He also alleged that stress about the case contributed to another agent’s fatal heart attack, although the agent’s relatives disputed the connection.

Now Ludwick is accusing the state of violating Iowa’s whistleblower protection statute. He declined through his attorney to comment. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office also declined to comment, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety, which includes the DCI, did not respond to an inquiry about the case.

Gambling investigation raised constitutional concerns

In the gambling investigation, DCI investigators used software tools provided by GeoComply, a Canadian company that contracts with online sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings, to look for evidence of illegal gambling activity. Using a GeoComply system, the investigators created a so-called “geofence” around college athletic facilities that allowed them to detect student athletes using wagering accounts registered to parents and friends to place bets ― sometimes on their own games.

Although the investigation resulted in numerous arrests and suspensions, it also drew controversy, in particular for agents’ failure to obtain warrants before conducting their location searches. GeoComply, which had encouraged Iowa to use its service, responded by cancelling the state’s access.

A large group of current and former students sued the state, accusing investigators of violating their constitutional rights. In November 2025, a federal judge ruled that the state’s investigation “does not comport with the Fourth Amendment,” which provides protection from illegal searches.

Nonetheless, the court dismissed the lawsuit, finding the officers involved were entitled to immunity. An appeal is pending.

Ludwick’s reservations emerge in depositions

Ludwick was an experienced investigator for the DCI, working on high-profile cases including the 2015 murder of Shirley Carter, whose son was tried and acquitted, and the 2017 deaths of two girls in a fire started by a relative.

While not the lead agent on the 2023 gambling investigation, Ludwick was tapped to assist by interviewing some of the student athletes. He later testified he grew concerned that the state’s geofence searches amounted to illegal, warrantless searches, and declined to participate in the case any further. He alleges that other DCI agents shared his concerns and also maneuvered to avoid being involved in the case.

Ludwick says he reported his concerns to his superiors. In January 2024, he was deposed by defense attorneys for four of the students, and “testified truthfully during his deposition that he believed an illegal search had been conducted.” Defense attorneys cited Ludwick’s remarks within days in filings covered by numerous media outlets, including the Des Moines Register, which “caused embarrassment and increased scrutiny for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Commissioner Bayens, and other employees,” Ludwick’s suit states.

According to the complaint, officials launched an investigation into Ludwick for speeding on March 5, weeks after the embarrassing testimony was reported. On Aug. 8, officials initiated a second investigation after, Ludwick says, “he attempted to help a victim of domestic abuse flee her abuser.” He denies his actions violated Iowa law or department policy.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

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Iowa

Official Site of The ECHL | ECHL announces Voluntary Suspension of Iowa Membership for 2026-27 Season

Published

22 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

The ECHL announced today that the League’s Board of Governors has approved the request of the Iowa Heartlanders’ Membership for a Voluntary Suspension for the 2026-27 Season.

During the suspension period, the organization will evaluate strategic alternatives aimed at ensuring a sustainable long-term future for professional hockey in the Corridor, including potential investment or ownership partnerships that support the continued success of the Membership.

The ECHL will continue to work with the Heartlanders’ ownership group during the suspension period as the organization evaluates its future. The League remains committed to the continued growth and stability of its member teams and markets.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision that followed months of careful evaluation,” said Heartlanders owner Michael Devlin. “Despite significant efforts to stabilize and strengthen the organization, we concluded that stepping back for a season is the most responsible course while we review long-term solutions. As stewards of the team, we believe this step gives the organization the best opportunity to return on a stronger and more sustainable footing.”

“We worked through every potential path that might have allowed us to continue uninterrupted,” Heartlanders President Matt Getz said. “Ultimately, we believe this pause provides the organization the best opportunity to position the Membership for long-term success.”

The Iowa organization expresses deep gratitude to the fans, partners, players, staff and the City of Coralville who have supported the Heartlanders since the team’s founding.

The ECHL will play with 30 Members during the 2026-27 season.

About the ECHL

Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 30 teams in 23 states and one Canadian province for its 38th season in 2025-26. There have been 778 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 10 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2025-26 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 30 of the 32 NHL teams in 2025-26, marking the 28th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.

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Iowa

Explore Effigy Mounds, Iowa’s ancient earthworks above the Mississippi

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Explore Effigy Mounds, Iowa’s ancient earthworks above the Mississippi

High on the bluffs overlooking the Upper Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 ancient earthen mounds shaped like bears, birds, and spirits of the natural world. Built by Indigenous peoples more than 1,000 years ago, these formations stand as powerful reminders that America’s story stretches far beyond European arrival. At this quiet landscape of forested ridges and sweeping river views, visitors can walk among sacred sites that continue to hold meaning for many Native nations today. Effigy Mounds is both a cultural touchstone and one of the most visually striking archaeological landscapes in the United States.

Location: Harpers Ferry, Iowa

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2WhrGJ8cqh2nsC8L6

Why it matters

Effigy Mounds honors the artistry, engineering, and spiritual traditions of Indigenous communities who shaped these hills centuries before the United States existed. As the nation marks 250 years, this landscape reminds us that America’s story begins long before 1776. The bear, bird and linear mounds — some perfectly aligned with celestial patterns — preserve cultural memory, identity and resilience. They stand as a testament to the first peoples who understood this land as home.

What to see today

Visitors can follow wooded trails to some of the most iconic shapes, including the Great Bear Mound and soaring bird effigies perched above the Mississippi. Interpretive exhibits explain the moundbuilders’ cultures, craftsmanship, and the region’s deep archaeological significance. Listen for wind moving through oak forests and watch eagles ride the river’s currents below. Rangers and tribal partners share stories of ongoing cultural ties, helping visitors understand these earthworks not as relics, but as living heritage.

Ask a local

Stop in nearby McGregor for a bite at Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery, where locals drift in for beers and scenic river views or the Backwoods Bar & Grill, a popular spot for casual American pub food.

Plan your visit

• Best time: Fall colors or late spring• Hours/admission: Visitor center open daily; free entry• Getting there: Parking at the visitor center; trails begin onsite• Learn more: nps.gov/efmo

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

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