Notebook: Iowa Letting QB Competition Play Out

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The choice hasn’t been made on who can be Iowa’s quarterback for Saturday’s recreation towards Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium.

Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla had been listed with an “OR” on the depth chart launched Monday, and coach Kirk Ferentz didn’t take that designation away throughout his Tuesday press convention.

Ferentz mentioned each quarterbacks had practiced with the No. 1 offense, however the determination on who will begin may very well be made as late as Friday.

Petras and Padilla performed in final Saturday’s 54-10 loss at Ohio State. Petras was 6-of-14 passing for 49 yards, threw two interceptions, and was sacked twice. Padilla, who got here into the sport at first of the second half, was 5-of-10 passing for 32 yards, threw an interception, and was sacked 3 times. Each misplaced one fumble.

“Actually wasn’t a lot good Saturday, usually,” Ferentz mentioned. “Did not matter who was in there.”

The whole lot, Ferentz mentioned, can be used within the analysis of the quarterbacks.

“What we noticed in observe, issues we noticed on Saturday and the previous,” Ferentz mentioned. “Hold pushing ahead. It isn’t like we’ve a scientific method. We’ll see how the week performs out.”

Ferentz mentioned it will have been unfair to evaluate Padilla simply primarily based on how he performed in Saturday’s recreation, given the circumstances of the sport and the way the Hawkeyes had been down 26-10 at halftime.

“I mentioned the identical factor about Spencer too,” Ferentz mentioned. “It is sophisticated. And whenever you consider any participant, there’s just about a number of circumstances and issues round what their duty is that issue into issues.

“Principally all the things impacts all the things. For quarterback play, it is actually complicated. So it is not a easy equation. These guys on the market are simply buzzing, however often if a man is buzzing it means he is getting good teamwork and good assist round him too. There’s rather a lot that goes into good quarterback play, identical to each place.”

Ferentz mentioned any choice is feasible, together with taking part in each, though he didn’t appear to love that concept a lot.

“We’re not planning on rotation at this level, however something’s doable,” Ferentz mentioned. “Not going to rule it out. However ideally would not need to try this. And whoever begins hopefully (gained’t be) wanting over their shoulder. We additionally must get it going offensively and present some manufacturing, too. So hopefully whoever is in there can assist us try this. That is the workforce purpose.

“And there is I assume a balancing act that goes on with it since you do not need to decide primarily based on one play. One thing like that. We’ll form of see. Decide and trip with it for somewhat bit.”

THE FINAL FIVE GAMES

The Hawkeyes, at 3-4 total, have to go 3-2 of their remaining 5 video games for bowl eligibility.

Ferentz, although, isn’t into long-range considering.

“I am not eager about the offseason, I can guarantee you that,” he mentioned. “The purpose proper now is similar as again after we began out. Our purpose is to win each recreation. Proper now we have 5 video games left. Our guys are conscious of that. I cowl that each Sunday, huge image. Nevertheless it actually will get all the way down to we won’t win 5 if we do not win one. In order that’s actually all that issues at this level.”

SENSE OF URGENCY

Ferentz was requested if the Hawkeyes’ sense of urgency has modified contemplating they’re on a three-game dropping streak.

“I hope not,” he mentioned. “I hope everybody has a way of urgency, objective, no matter. I want to name it objective. That is one thing that we attempt to encourage all of our gamers to have each time we’re practising, whether or not it is a gentle exercise or a heavy workday like immediately. If you are going to get one thing completed, you higher have one thing in your thoughts you are attempting to get carried out.

“So I do not assume it modifications. I hope it would not change. And simply to inform you this, one factor that does not change too. Dropping. Dropping would not really feel good. It impacts you. There’s nothing good about it. I can say the converse about successful. The whole lot is fairly good whenever you’re successful. Hopefully our guys, hopefully all people concerned on this group is bored with dropping. It is simply not enjoyable.”