Alert Top Story COLLEGE FOOTBALL | IOWA The Iowa QB battle wasn’t decided on Saturday. Here’s how it will be ethan.petrik Aug 17, 2026 Aug 17, 2026 Updated 9 hrs ago 0 × Kirk Ferentz | Iowa Football | Aug. 15 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save IOWA CITY — The 2026 Iowa quarterback battle did not come to an end on Saturday — contrary to popular belief and the hopes of Hawkeye fans. Iowa's Jeremy Hecklinski surveys the field as part of 11-on-11 drills during Kids' Day at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, August 15. ETHAN PETRIK, Quad-City Times kAm%9:C5\J62C BF2CE6C324< y6C6>J w64<=:?D<:[ H9@ 7:?:D965 a_ad 2D E96 AC:>2CJ 324<FA E@ |2C< vC@?@HD<:[ 5@>:?2E65 E96 z:5D’ s2J @A6? AC24E:46] %96 7@C>6C (2<6 u@C6DE EC2?D76C H6?E `f\@7\ad 7@C a_d J2C5D 2?5 7:G6 E@F495@H?D @? E96 52J[ :?4=F5:?8 2 A2:C @7 =@?8 E@F495@H? E@DD6D E@ E:89E 6?5 sy '@??29>6]k^AmkAmw2?< qC@H?[ H9@ DE2CE65 a_ad 2D E96 AC:>2CJ 324<FA E@ |2C< vC@?@HD<:[ DECF88=65] %96 7@C>6C pF3FC? EC2?D76C 4@>A=6E65 ;FDE ?:?6 @7 9:D a` A2DD 2EE6>AED 7@C ca J2C5D 2?5 K6C@ E@F495@H?D — E9@F89 96 5:5 D9@H E96 23:=:EJ E@ >@G6 E96 492:?D H:E9 9:D =68D @? >F=E:A=6 @442D:@?D]k^Am People are also reading… Want the best Perseid meteor shower views? Here's the where and when One TV weather team – two devastating diagnoses Will winter be snowy, stormy or mild? Farmers' Almanac forecast by region Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce accused of minimizing role in steakhouse lawsuit Iowa State athletics breaks fundraising record in 2026 Denison woman dies, Lincoln driver seriously injured in western Iowa crash Iowa Athletics, Cedar Ridge Distillery to create first official spirits for Hawkeyes TJ Otzelberger has no plans to add Tamin Lipsey, former Cyclones to roster Caitlin Clark’s flopping isn’t just annoying – it’s becoming dangerous | Opinion Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville', dies at 36 Defense argues against death penalty in Charlie Kirk case 'It's boom or bust': One college football team letting fan call plays State Sen. Mike Bousselot ends 2026 campaign 5 US destinations that feel like Europe, no passport required PCA for MVP? Cubs sensation Crow-Armstrong hits historic heights kAm(9:=6 E96 "q 32EE=6 D66>D =:<6 2? @A6?\2?5\D9FE 42D6 32D65 @? $2EFC52J’D A6C7@C>2?46[ 9625 4@249 z:C< u6C6?EK :>>65:2E6=J C62DD6CE65 E96 F?564:565 ?2EFC6 @7 E96 4@>A6E:E:@? 7@==@H:?8 z:5D’ s2J]k^AmkAm“x’5 =@@< 2E E96> @G6C ?:?6 52JD[” u6C6?EK D2:5 @? 9@H 96 6G2=F2E65 E96 BF2CE6C324< A=2J] “%96J’G6 5@?6 D@>6 8@@5 E9:?8D 2?5 D@>6 E9:?8D E92E 8@E E@ 86E 36EE6C — =:<6 6G6CJ A@D:E:@?] xE’D 4=62C=J 4=@F5J C:89E ?@H]”k^AmkAm{2E6C :? E96 "U2>Ajp D6DD:@?[ u6C6?EK 6IA=:4:E=J D2:5 ?@E E@ “@G6CA=2J” w64<=:?D<:’D 5@>:?2?E A6C7@C>2?46 :? 7C@?E @7 E96 72?D]k^Am kAm“xE’D 96=A7F= 46CE2:?=J E@ 36 @FE 96C6[” u6C6?EK D2:5] “… (6 92G6 E@@ >F49 @E96C DEF77 E@ 8@ E9C@F89 C:89E ?@H 2?5 AC@46DD:?8] %96?[ :E’D =:<6 2?JE9:?8[ H92E 2C6 E96 8FJD 2C@F?5 9:> 5@:?8 E92E >:89E 92G6 >256 2 8FJ =@@< 36EE6C @C H@CD6n (6’== E2<6 2 =@@< 2E E96 7:=>] x E9@F89E 2== E96 8FJD H6C6 5@:?8 7:?6]”k^Am kAm~? uC:52J 2E x@H2 7@@E32== >65:2 52J[ u6C6?EK 6IA=2:?65 9@H E96 AC@46DD H@F=5 A=2J @FE 2?5 >2:?E2:?65 E96 AC@8C2>’D DE2?46 @7 A2E:6?46]k^Am Iowa's Hank Brown throws a pass as part of a quarterback drill during Kids' Day at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, August 15. ETHAN PETRIK, Quad-City Times kAm“(6’C6 8@:?8 E@ =6E E9:D E9:?8 A=2J @FE[” u6C6?EK D2:5] “p== E96 8FJD 2C6 4@>A6E:?8 H6== C:89E ?@H] %96 E9C66 @=56DE 8FJD[ @3G:@FD=J[ 92G6 E96 3:886DE 6586[ 2?5 AC6EEJ >F49[ H6’G6 366? DA=:EE:?8 E96 C6AD AC6EEJ 6G6?=J 36EH66? E96 EH@ E@A 8FJD 2?5 E96? Wy:>>JX $F==:G2?’D 366? 86EE:?8 D@>6 H@C< 2D H6==]k^Am kAm“yFDE ECJ:?8 E@ 8:G6 6G6CJ3@5J 6BF2= 6IA@DFC6[ 8:G6 E96> 2 492?46 E@ 86E D@>6 BF2=:EJ H@C<] (6’C6 8@:?8 E@ <66A H2E49:?8[ D66 9@H E96 8FJD 5@ 2?5 9@H E96J C624E E@ 5:776C6?E D:EF2E:@?D 2D E96J 4@>6 FA :? 42>A]”k^Am kAmu6C6?EK 2=D@ 6IA=2:?65 E92E H9:=6 96 F=E:>2E6=J >2<6D E96 7:?2= 564:D:@? @? H9@ =:?6D FA F?56C 46?E6C[ E92E 564:D:@? H:== 2=D@ 36 :?7@C>65 3J 2? @?8@:?8 5:D4FDD:@? 2>@?8 E96 4@249:?8 DE277] ~7 H9:49[ @776?D:G6 4@@C5:?2E@C %:> {6DE6C’D AC676C6?46 H:== 36 “9F86]”k^AmkAm“%:> :D E96 4@@C5:?2E@C[” u6C6?EK D2:5] “w6’D E96 A=2J 42==6C] q:==J W'2?56|6C<EX[ @3G:@FD=J[ :D H@C<:?8 H:E9 E96 BF2CE6C324<D @? 2 52:=J 32D:D[ AC@323=J >@DE :?E:>2E6=J @7 2?J3@5J] (6’G6 8@E D@>6 @E96C A6@A=6 E92E <?@H D@>6E9:?8 23@FE BF2CE6C324<D :? E96 3F:=5:?8[ E@@] %92E’D @?=J 96=A7F=]k^Am kAm“x? 2 A6C764E H@C=5[ H6’== 2== 4@>6 E@ 2 4@?D6?DFD[ 2?5 E96C6 H:== 36 AC6EEJ >F49 28C66>6?E] qFE[ :? >J 6IA6C:6?46[ }u{ @C 4@==686[ :E’D ?@E 2=H2JD 4=62C\4FE[ 2?5 H6’== <66A 2? @A6? >:?5 2D E96 564:D:@? 86ED 8@:?8 2D H6==]”k^Am kAmu6C6?EK 2=D@ 24<?@H=65865 E96 A@DD:3:=:EJ @7 2 >:5D62D@? BF2CE6C324< DH:E49] %96 A@DD:3:=:EJ @7 2? :?\D62D@? 492?86 F?56C 46?E6C @C E96 4@?E:?F2E:@? @7 E96 A@D:E:@? 32EE=6 :?E@ E96 D62D@? :D D@>6E9:?8 {6DE6C 56D4C:365 2D 2 A@DD:3:=:EJ 2D 72C 324< 2D pAC:= 2?5 D@>6E9:?8 96’D >2:?E2:?65 E9C@F89@FE E96 @77D62D@?]k^Am kAm~? uC:52J[ {6DE6C 6IA=2:?65 H9J 96’D 4@>7@CE23=6 2?5 4@?7:56?E :? D2J:?8 E96 "q 32EE=6 >2J ?@E 36 564:565 3J $6AE6>36C d’D D62D@? @A6?6C 282:?DE }@CE96C? x==:?@:D]k^AmkAm“*@F’C6 ?@E 562=:?8 H:E9 2?J@?6 E92E 92D E@?D @7 6IA6C:6?46[ C:89En” {6DE6C D2:5] “$@[ J@F’C6 8@:?8 E@ =62C? 2D H6 8@] tG6CJE9:?8’D 2 7:CDE] *@F’C6 8@:?8 E@ AFE E96> :? E96:C 7:CDE D:EF2E:@? :? z:??:4<[ :? 2? 2H2J 82>6[ 562=:?8 H:E9 D:=6?E 4256?46] … x7 E96J DECF88=6[ E@ 92G6 2?@E96C 8FJ E@ AFE :? E92E’D C625J E@ 86E 9:D D9@E[ E96? E92E 8FJ >:89E 8@ 324< :? 2?5 42=> 5@H?] … %96C6’D >2?J 5:776C6?E H2JD :E 42? 8@]”k^Am kAm%96 EC:2=D @7 DE2CE:?8 367@C6 @?6 :D C625J :D D@>6E9:?8 {6DE6C 6IA6C:6?465 7:CDE92?5 2D 2 BF2CE6C324< 2E (6DE6C? |:49:82?]k^AmkAm“|J 7:CDE ?:?6 82>6D[ x =@DE[” {6DE6C D2:5] “x H6?E _\h :? >J 7:CDE ?:?6 82>6D[ 2?5 E96? H@? E96 =2DE EH@ W@7 E96 D62D@?X[ 2?5 E96? 6?565 FA 7@FCE9 :? E96 9:DE@CJ @7 4@==686 7@@E32== :? E9C@H:?8] qFE[ x H2D _\h :? >J 7:CDE ?:?6 82>6D] xE 5@6D?’E ;FDE 92AA6?] … $@>6E:>6D :E E2<6D E:>6 E@ D6EE=6] w@A67F==J H6 >2<6 E96 564:D:@? 2?5 E96 8FJ 8@6D :? E96C6 2?5 A=2JD H6==[ 3FE J@FC 7:CDE J62C DE2CE:?8 :? 2?J DA@CE[ 6DA64:2==J 96C6 2E E96 BF2CE6C324< A@D:E:@?[ :E’D C@F89[ :E’D 92C5]”k^Am kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ '2?56|6C<E[ E96 AC@8C2>’D ?6H=J >:?E65 BF2CE6C324<D 4@249[ 2== 7:G6 @7 E96 w2H<6J6D’ BF2CE6C324<D 92G6 >256 E96 >@DE @7 72== 42>A]k^Am kAm“pD 2? 6?E:C6 C@@>[ ?@E ;FDE E9@D6 E9C66 WqC@H?[ w64<=:?D<:[ $F==:G2?X[ 3FE 2== 7:G6 @7 E9@D6 8FJD 2C6 C62==J 4@>A6E:?8[” '2?56|6C<E D2:5] “%96J’C6 56G6=@A:?8 6G6CJ 52J[ 2?5 E96J’C6 >2<:?8 DEC:56D E92E H6 H2?E E@ D66] (96E96C :E’D E96 7:CDE EH@ 8FJD E92E 2C6 C62==J 32EE=:?8[ @C E96 =2DE E9C66 8FJD E92E 2C6 32EE=:?8 7@C E96:C DA@ED[ :E’D 366? 2 C62==J 8@@5 42>A D@ 72C]”k^Am kAm&=E:>2E6=J[ {6DE6C 6>A92D:K65 6>@E:@?2= C625:?6DD 2?5 4@?D:DE6?4J 2D E96 <6J E@ 36:?8 x@H2’D ?6IE DE2CE:?8 BF2CE6C324<]k^AmkAm“(9@6G6C :E :D[ :E’D 8@:?8 E@ 36 E96:C 7:CDE @C D64@?5 E:>6 A=2J:?8 :? z:??:4<[” {6DE6C D2:5] “(6’C6 8@:?8 E@ DFAA@CE 9:>[ 2?5 :7 96’D DECF88=:?8 @C 6>@E:@?2==J 86EE:?8 @FE @7 H924<[ E96? x’> 8@:?8 E@ AFE E96 ?6IE :? :7 E92E 92AA6?D] x7 E96 8FJ 8@6D :? E96C6 2?5 A=2JD =:89ED @FE[ E92E’5 36 8C62E E@@]”k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^f4662hdg\_24c\c4bb\hf6e\eff756bge_haQm!6EC:<i %96 E9C66 E9:?8D E92E 567:?6 x@H2 7@@E32== … 244@C5:?8 E@ 72?D @7 E96 `a E62>D :E 7246D :? a_aek^2mk^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^fh65c6e`\g``3\ca6e\hgeg\_gc3ea3h`27eQm%9C66\DE2C @776?D:G6 =:?6>2?[ D@? @7 x@H2 4@249[ 4@>>:ED E@ w2H<6J6Dk^2mk^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^d3_5577f\g3ef\cdg6\h5df\de327`6`45h2Qm(92E z:C< u6C6?EK[ x@H2 7@@E32== A=2J6CD E@=5 FD 2E q:8 %6? |65:2 s2JDk^2mk^Am Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com. 0 Comments ethan.petrik Author email Follow ethan.petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Kirk Ferentz | Iowa Football | Aug. 15 Kirk Ferentz | Iowa Football | Aug. 15 Petrik: The three things that define Iowa football … according to fans of the 12 teams it faces in 2026 Ask fans of Iowa’s 2026 opponents what defines Hawkeye football, and the answers are remarkably consistent — and it's what college football co… Three-star offensive lineman, son of Iowa coach, commits to Hawkeyes Staying home. Iowa City West offensive lineman James Barnett committed to the Hawkeyes, becoming Iowa's second 2028 pledge. What Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football players told us at Big Ten Media Days The Iowa football program, represented by head coach Kirk Ferentz, defensive back Zach Lutmer, linebacker Jayden Montgomery and tight end Addi… Why Kirk Ferentz made special teams a priority at Iowa In the 1980s, then offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz hated coaching the Hawkeyes' punt team. Now, Iowa is the gold standard for special teams.… Which Hawkeye legends did Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz classify Tony Diaz alongside? Tony Diaz has generated buzz all offseason. Kirk Ferentz just added even more fuel to the conversation with his comments at Big Ten Media Days. Why Iowa star defensive back hopes to be Hawkeyes’ Kaden Wetjen replacement Kirk Ferentz says he’s never coached a returner like Kaden Wetjen. Zach Lutmer hopes to be next in line. What we learned at Big Ten Football Media Days Could Iowa sport a jersey patch? Is the playoff expanding to 24 teams? Here's the latest from Big Ten football media days from Chicago. How Tony Diaz landed at Iowa over blue-blood offers An overlooked recruit. A startup program. Now a Hawkeye. Tony Diaz’s journey is built on betting on himself. Iowa rising tight end star DJ Vonnahme brings new mentality, expectations into 2026 DJ Vonnahme's rise has changed everything. Now the Hawkeyes' breakout tight end is embracing the expectations that come with success. Watch: Iowa quarterbacks, running backs, pass catchers breakdown summer workouts Members of the Iowa football program, including quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the … How an NFL head coach helped Tim Lester land his first QB as Iowa’s offensive coordinator A FaceTime call from Packers coach Matt LaFleur turned into an unexpected recruiting pitch for Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Here's h… What NFL comp did rising Iowa tight end get from Hawkeyes offensive coordinator? DJ Vonnahme went from deep on the depth chart to Iowa’s top receiver. Now Tim Lester sees similarities to an NFL star. The story behind Iowa’s military appreciation helmet decals, a program staple since 2011 The Iowa football program rarely strays from its standard black and gold look, but one alternate uniform variant has endured and made 10 appea… Iowa announces addition of Tom Moore to football coaching staff Tom Moore, a former Iowa quarterback and four-time Super Bowl champion, is joining the Hawkeyes’ staff as a senior consultant. Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, Ben McCollum sound off on potential NCAA eligibility changes during Polk County I-Club stop A proposed NCAA rule could reshape college sports eligibility. Iowa coaches Kirk Ferentz and Ben McCollum shared their thoughts on Wednesday n… Iowa prioritized FCS and Group of 5 transfers this offseason. Here’s why Of Iowa's 15 transfer portal additions in the 2026 offseason, 13 joined the Hawkeyes from the sub-Power 5 levels of college football. Here's w… Iowa adds commitment from in-state linebacker Kyler Van Maanen Iowa football picked up another in-state commit Tuesday, landing Pella linebacker Kyler Van Maanen for its 2027 recruiting class. Kuemper Catholic star commits to Iowa as preferred walk-on, joins Hawkeyes 2026 class Iowa football picked up a late addition Monday, landing Kuemper Catholic standout Brayton Alford for its 2026 recruiting class. How does Iowa's new quarterbacks coach make the Hawkeyes run more like NFL teams Iowa football is reshaping its quarterback room with a new coach and an NFL-style structure. Here’s what Billy VandeMerkt’s role means for the… How Iowa prepared transfer wide receivers for Big Ten play Tony Diaz and Evan James arrived at Iowa undersized for Big Ten play. Eight months later, Tim Lester says both have added about 20 pounds. Watch Now: Related Video OL Jake Taylor interview | Iowa State football | Aug. 17 Bayonne makes Little League World Series history Bayonne makes Little League World Series history The Man Behind Tommy John Surgery The Man Behind Tommy John Surgery Aaron Boone shares his memories of Tommy John Aaron Boone shares his memories of Tommy John Recommended for you
ethan.petrik Author email Follow ethan.petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Petrik: The three things that define Iowa football … according to fans of the 12 teams it faces in 2026 Ask fans of Iowa’s 2026 opponents what defines Hawkeye football, and the answers are remarkably consistent — and it's what college football co…
Three-star offensive lineman, son of Iowa coach, commits to Hawkeyes Staying home. Iowa City West offensive lineman James Barnett committed to the Hawkeyes, becoming Iowa's second 2028 pledge.
What Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football players told us at Big Ten Media Days The Iowa football program, represented by head coach Kirk Ferentz, defensive back Zach Lutmer, linebacker Jayden Montgomery and tight end Addi…
Why Kirk Ferentz made special teams a priority at Iowa In the 1980s, then offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz hated coaching the Hawkeyes' punt team. Now, Iowa is the gold standard for special teams.…
Which Hawkeye legends did Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz classify Tony Diaz alongside? Tony Diaz has generated buzz all offseason. Kirk Ferentz just added even more fuel to the conversation with his comments at Big Ten Media Days.
Why Iowa star defensive back hopes to be Hawkeyes’ Kaden Wetjen replacement Kirk Ferentz says he’s never coached a returner like Kaden Wetjen. Zach Lutmer hopes to be next in line.
What we learned at Big Ten Football Media Days Could Iowa sport a jersey patch? Is the playoff expanding to 24 teams? Here's the latest from Big Ten football media days from Chicago.
How Tony Diaz landed at Iowa over blue-blood offers An overlooked recruit. A startup program. Now a Hawkeye. Tony Diaz’s journey is built on betting on himself.
Iowa rising tight end star DJ Vonnahme brings new mentality, expectations into 2026 DJ Vonnahme's rise has changed everything. Now the Hawkeyes' breakout tight end is embracing the expectations that come with success.
Watch: Iowa quarterbacks, running backs, pass catchers breakdown summer workouts Members of the Iowa football program, including quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the …
How an NFL head coach helped Tim Lester land his first QB as Iowa’s offensive coordinator A FaceTime call from Packers coach Matt LaFleur turned into an unexpected recruiting pitch for Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Here's h…
What NFL comp did rising Iowa tight end get from Hawkeyes offensive coordinator? DJ Vonnahme went from deep on the depth chart to Iowa’s top receiver. Now Tim Lester sees similarities to an NFL star.
The story behind Iowa’s military appreciation helmet decals, a program staple since 2011 The Iowa football program rarely strays from its standard black and gold look, but one alternate uniform variant has endured and made 10 appea…
Iowa announces addition of Tom Moore to football coaching staff Tom Moore, a former Iowa quarterback and four-time Super Bowl champion, is joining the Hawkeyes’ staff as a senior consultant.
Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, Ben McCollum sound off on potential NCAA eligibility changes during Polk County I-Club stop A proposed NCAA rule could reshape college sports eligibility. Iowa coaches Kirk Ferentz and Ben McCollum shared their thoughts on Wednesday n…
Iowa prioritized FCS and Group of 5 transfers this offseason. Here’s why Of Iowa's 15 transfer portal additions in the 2026 offseason, 13 joined the Hawkeyes from the sub-Power 5 levels of college football. Here's w…
Iowa adds commitment from in-state linebacker Kyler Van Maanen Iowa football picked up another in-state commit Tuesday, landing Pella linebacker Kyler Van Maanen for its 2027 recruiting class.
Kuemper Catholic star commits to Iowa as preferred walk-on, joins Hawkeyes 2026 class Iowa football picked up a late addition Monday, landing Kuemper Catholic standout Brayton Alford for its 2026 recruiting class.
How does Iowa's new quarterbacks coach make the Hawkeyes run more like NFL teams Iowa football is reshaping its quarterback room with a new coach and an NFL-style structure. Here’s what Billy VandeMerkt’s role means for the…
How Iowa prepared transfer wide receivers for Big Ten play Tony Diaz and Evan James arrived at Iowa undersized for Big Ten play. Eight months later, Tim Lester says both have added about 20 pounds.
