Top Notch: Iowa’s message stays clear as the transfer quarterback gains significant playing time.

IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz anticipated the question and, always ready with a humorous remark, responded with a grin.

“Do you want me to take the hook on that one — seriously?” he said, playfully curling his left index finger to mimic a hooking motion.

Ferentz clearly grasped the question, as it was prompted by the Hawkeyes (2-1) themselves.

After using backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan only sparingly in the first two games, Iowa brought in the former Northwestern transfer during two crucial moments against Troy (0-3) on Saturday.

Sullivan excelled in his limited opportunities.

“I thought he did a nice job,” Ferentz remarked. “I guess he got his first completion on that little flip-out, too. He’s 1-for-1. Can’t beat that.”

In the Hawkeyes’ 38-21 victory over Troy, Sullivan saw action during two red zone opportunities, both of which resulted in touchdowns.

On his first drive, he handed the ball to Kaleb Johnson, who powered through the Trojan defense for a 4-yard touchdown, sending Sullivan back to the sidelines without fanfare.

However, on his second drive, Sullivan completed a pass to Addison Ostrenga for a 2-yard touchdown on third and goal, giving Iowa a 17-14 lead.

Before Saturday, Sullivan had only recorded three handoffs in the last two minutes of the Hawkeyes’ 40-0 rout of Illinois State in week one.

With Sullivan’s increased playing time, Iowa raised its own quarterback questions. Despite this, Ferentz reaffirmed Cade McNamara’s role as the starter and Sullivan’s position as backup.

“There’s no big picture right now, but we’re going to try to use any of our guys in any way that can help us,” Ferentz stated. “That’s a positive.”

This response aligns with Ferentz’s earlier comments about maintaining an “open mind” on using Sullivan as a change-of-pace option when asked last Tuesday.

“If it helps us win games now, that’s the priority,” he said. “We rotate at other positions—it’s a little tougher at quarterback. It takes the right guy.”

Ferentz explained that their open approach led the coaching staff to implement a new strategy inside the 5-yard line after struggling to score there in their previous 20-19 loss to Iowa State.

“We thought if he could add one more dimension, one more thing for defenses to worry about, it might be beneficial,” Ferentz noted.

“He practiced well, and that was part of our plan if the situation arose. If it helps us in games, we’ll do it.”

While he didn’t engage with questions about quarterback shifts, Ferentz consistently praised Sullivan’s performance.

“He has practiced well. He is a really good athlete.”

On Monday, Iowa released its week four depth chart, showing McNamara as the starter and Sullivan as the second-string quarterback.