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Updated Iowa Quarterback Status: Cade McNamara's Journey

Nov 22, 2024 at 9:39 PM

This story takes a significant turn as Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara provides an in-depth update on his status. With the team facing numerous injuries this season, McNamara's situation has been a topic of much discussion. He initially suffered a concussion versus Northwestern and has been working tirelessly to get back on the field. Despite being cleared to participate in practice last Sunday, he had an adverse reaction, which is common during the recovery process. As a result, he was unable to travel and participate this weekend at Maryland.

Unraveling the Iowa Quarterback Conundrum

Initial Injury and Recovery Struggles

Cade McNamara started the first eight games of the season with underwhelming production. His injury during the ninth game against Northwestern forced Brendan Sullivan to take over. Sullivan led the team to a win in that game and followed it up with a promising performance against Wisconsin. However, he then turned the ball over three times against UCLA and left the contest due to his own injury. This series of events has put the Iowa quarterback room in a state of flux.

Even after the bye week, Sullivan was not available for Iowa's game against Maryland. On Monday, McNamara was listed as the first-string quarterback on the depth chart. But during Tuesday's media meeting, head coach Kirk Ferentz announced that he expected walk-on Jackson Stratton to start. Stratton, who transferred to Iowa during the offseason as a preferred walk-on, had a challenging debut against UCLA but still managed to lead the Hawkeyes to a touchdown-scoring drive.

Coach's Statements and McNamara's Social Media Update

Earlier this week, Ferentz said McNamara practiced on Sunday and was cleared to play. However, McNamara's social media post on Friday stated that he had "NOT" been cleared to play. This direct contradiction has raised questions about the team's communication and McNamara's recovery progress.

On Tuesday, Ferentz was asked about McNamara's setback or his return process. He said, "Still processing back. He's been cleared to play." But McNamara's social media update mentioned an "adverse reaction." This confusion highlights the complexity of the situation and the challenges the team is facing.

McNamara's Intentions and the Season's Outlook

McNamara has made it clear that he has "every intention to play versus Nebraska" on Black Friday, the Hawkeyes' final regular-season game in 2024. Despite the setbacks and drama, the team remains focused on the upcoming game.

Iowa's once-hopeful season has taken a turn for the worse, but the players are determined to finish strong. With McNamara's recovery and the team's performance, the final regular-season game holds great significance for the Hawkeyes.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com