Following yet another lackluster showing in the 32-20 loss to Michigan State, it’s clear that the Iowa passing offense is falling short of expectations, with much of the responsibility resting on sixth-year quarterback and team captain Cade McNamara.
The Hawkeyes’ passing struggles persisted, managing only 150 yards through the air. Entering the game ranked 127th out of 133 FBS teams, Iowa’s passing woes were evident. McNamara completed just 3 of 9 passes for 30 yards in the first half and ended the game with 11 of 23 completions for 150 yards and one interception.
Ferentz on McNamara’s Performance
“Cade has to play better, certainly the first half in particular,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said in his Tuesday press conference. “Really nothing on offense was good enough for us to be — we dug a hole that was too deep, quite frankly, and everybody had a hand in it, but offense certainly has responsibility. Cade is going to have to throw the ball a little bit more accurately.”
McNamara completed 11 of 23 passes for 150 yards, with a touchdown and an interception in Saturday’s defeat. His 118.3 passer rating is among the lowest in the Big Ten, only ahead of Michigan and Northwestern’s struggling quarterbacks.
Ferentz has consistently urged patience with his quarterback, who has spent the past two seasons recovering from multiple leg injuries and surgeries. Although McNamara insists his legs feel stronger than ever, “throughout my career, I haven’t been able to break tackles or do things in the pocket that I’ve already done this season,” he said on Tuesday. The extended time off the field seems to affect Iowa’s starting quarterback.
What’s especially troubling about McNamara’s lackluster performance on Saturday is that Michigan State can only claim so much credit for it. Of McNamara’s 15 incomplete passes, only one was deemed a pass broken up by the Spartans. The majority were simply inaccurate throws, a point that Ferentz acknowledged on Tuesday.
“Whether it’s third down or any down, when you miss some makeables, it’s hard to weigh how much that impacts the flow of a team offensively,” Ferentz said. “Cade is going to have to throw the ball a little bit more accurately. I mentioned about the makeables, whether it’s him or anybody else, if he’s got a chance to give us better production, that’s what we need.”
McNamara also took responsibility for his mistakes, including a critical miscommunication with tight end Luke Lachey that resulted in the Spartans’ interception in Iowa territory.
Post-Game
The Spartans’ safeties lined up with nine players in the box before quickly dropping into deep coverage just before the snap on the play. McNamara threw the ball over Lachey’s head, allowing safety Nikai Martinez to make the interception and return it to Iowa’s 30-yard line.
Iowa’s defense managed to force Michigan State into its only three-and-out on the next possession, but the Spartans were still within range for Jonathan Kim. He kicked his sixth field goal, setting a program record and extending the Hawkeyes’ deficit to 25-14 with 7:34 remaining, effectively shutting down any hopes of a comeback.
QB Change
When Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register, who recently reported that Iowa considered replacing McNamara during the Michigan State game, asked Ferentz on Tuesday why Sullivan wasn’t utilized in 3rd-and-short situations outside of goal-line plays against the Spartans, the usually steadfast Ferentz showed little disagreement with the premise.
“Yeah, you could make that argument, treat it like what we’ve done with the red zone. You could make that argument. You could make it both ways. It’s a little bit unsettling maybe, bringing a [backup] in […] But yeah, that’s something you could consider for sure. Maybe it is something we need to look at.”
What’s Next?
Though McNamara has struggled with subpar performances, it’s important to note that he has only recently returned from major injuries. The pressure on him to perform is heightened by the program’s high expectations and the growing frustrations of fans increasingly calling for a backup quarterback rotation.
As the season advances, the coaching staff may have no choice but to scrutinize McNamara’s performance more carefully. If he fails to show significant improvement shortly, they could be compelled to consider giving Sullivan a larger role in the offense.
This looming decision highlights the growing tension between the expectations placed on an experienced starter like McNamara and the mounting pressure to make a change. As a result, the team’s offensive strategy could significantly shift in the coming weeks, potentially reshaping the trajectory of Iowa’s season.
This situation contrasts sharply with teams like USC, whose USC Trojans Odds reflect higher confidence in their offensive capabilities, particularly through the passing game. Programs like USC highlight how crucial a strong quarterback is for maintaining a competitive edge, which Iowa currently lacks.
Final Words
If Cade McNamara doesn’t begin converting routine throws with the consistency that both Kirk Ferentz and Iowa fans expect from a starting quarterback at the Big Ten level, the situation could become increasingly dire. Ferentz may find himself facing difficult decisions as he searches for ways to turn the season around.
With expectations running high and the margin for error shrinking, Iowa’s offense needs more reliable quarterback play to stay competitive. If improvements aren’t made soon, the head coach may have no choice but to explore alternative options—whether through personnel changes or adjustments to the offensive scheme—in a last-ditch effort to salvage the remainder of the 2024 campaign.