Iowa football QB controversy? Ferentz says no: “Cade will be fine”

Through the first 10 games of his Iowa career, McNamara fell short of that goal.

The lowest hurdle McNamara had to overcome as Iowa's quarterback – ball control – he couldn't achieve on Saturday.

McNamara's turnovers early in the second half led to three consecutive possessions, destroying just about any hopes Iowa had built in the first half.

With Iowa living on such thin margins, avoiding turnovers is paramount, especially against a team like Ohio State. The lack of ball security was one reason the quarterback position was such a disaster at Iowa last season. Hill finished the season with a ratio of eight interceptions to five passing touchdowns.

McNamara's touchdown pass-to-interception ratio is now 3 to 3 this season. He went without a turnover against Illinois State, Troy and Minnesota, but coughing up the ball proved costly against Iowa State and Ohio State. A turnover early in the second half against Iowa State this season brought the Cyclones to life. Three against Ohio State on Saturday allowed for a possible upset.

“We evaluate every position week by week,” Ferentz said of quarterback. “But we feel good. I think Cade is doing better. I really do. The ball losses today sound strange, I think he seems more comfortable. His timing seems better. And he got the ball out really well in the first half. We need to improve as a collective offense.”

This may contradict popular opinion, but Ferentz's view is that McNamara started Saturday's contest well, completing 10 of his first 12 passes. However, there is a gaping hole in this argument.

Completion efficiency isn't McNamara's biggest problem. In fact, in the last two games – against Minnesota and Ohio State – he was a combined 25 of 39, which is a significant improvement from a putrid 13 of 29 against Iowa State.

But that extremely efficient stretch against Ohio State counts for less if it results in zero points and also means turning the ball over three times later.

In his Iowa career, McNamara has yet to throw a touchdown against a power conference opponent (admittedly, a redzone package was implemented earlier this season with backup Brendan Sullivan, which made it more difficult for McNamara to do so). More concerning than the lack of touchdowns, however, is the fact that all three of his interceptions this season have come against power conference opponents (one of which was a last-ditch effort against Iowa State). You can also add the two fumbles against Ohio State to this turnover tally.

Iowa didn't just get McNamara to hit lower-level programs. As the level of competition increases, he must do so.

“We just can’t turn the ball over,” McNamara said Saturday. “We had three drives in a row with turnovers.” That just can’t happen. They just came out in the second half and played well. They’re a good defense and a good team.”

One can argue ad nauseam against Ferentz's claim that McNamara is doing better. But the bottom line is that the fact that this is even a discussion is a problem. It was reasonable to assume that McNamara would have been better through five games.

Iowa doesn't need its quarterback to be productive. Running back Kaleb Johnson solves a lot for the offense with his style of play. Iowa just needs McNamara to take care of the ball and get the defense to step up every now and then when the chance arises.

At critical moments this was not the case.

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson reacts to the 35-7 loss at Ohio State

In the end, the Hawkeyes junior ran 15 times for 86 yards, most of which came after the game was decided.

Through the first 10 games of his Iowa career — which was split between 2023 and 2024 due to injuries — McNamara hasn't done much to confirm the excitement that once surrounded him. Ferentz preached patience to someone who was out for an extended period of time – multiple times. This belief in him could still bear fruit.

But for McNamara, the time to change the narrative is becoming increasingly important.

Ferentz said, “Cade will be fine.”

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