IOWA CITY — If last week's game was new QB1 Brendan Sullivan making a statement, Iowa's 42-10 win over visiting Wisconsin on Saturday night was an undeniable exclamation point.
In his first start as a Hawkeye, Sullivan threw for 93 yards on 7-of-10 passing and rushed for 58 yards and a score in the win — hardly dominant numbers in and of themselves, but exactly what Iowa needed to unlock Kaleb Johnson and the power run game.
The Hawkeyes rushed for 329 yards and five touchdowns in the win, both season highs for the resurgent ground attack. Those stats includes "only" 132 yards and three scores for Johnson as he tied Iowa's single-season touchdown record with three more trips to the end zone Saturday.
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Johnson credited Sullivan's athleticism for adding another dimension to the Hawkeye offense.
"Brendan has the ability to run the ball, and is a threat all around," said Johnson.
Sullivan's lone touchdown throw of the game was especially meaningful for him, an easy 12-yard pitch-and-catch to fellow Northwestern transfer, WR Jacob Gill. The third-quarter touchdown was the first the two had connected on — not just as Hawkeyes, but during their collegiate careers.
"That's something that we've prayed about and talked about since we got to Northwestern," said Sullivan. "Being able to do that with him, a guy that I've lived with since I got to college, that was really special."
After the game, head coach Kirk Ferentz praised his signal-caller's preparation for his first start as a Hawkeye.
"I thought he played well," said Ferentz. "Was in a hurry a couple times. Maybe if he slowed down some things would have been a little better for him. That's lack of playing time, lack of being out there. He practiced well all week long. I thought he did a really nice job. I'm pleased for him."
If there were any seams in the transition from the injured (and, well, struggling) Cade McNamara to Sullivan in the leadership role of QB1, it was hardly apparent to his teammates.
"[Sullivan] has always been that type of guy," said Gill. "Maybe a little bit behind-the-scenes when Cade was in there, but he's transitioned well. He's always been a natural leader, so it's been easy."
Sullivan made several plays Saturday night that simply haven't been available for Iowa QBs going back to C.J. Beathard, if not further.
"The obvious dimension right now is his running ability," said Ferentz. "That came in handy tonight. It affects the defense a little bit and it helps the running game, certainly if they have to respect a little bit more."
"He's an incredible athlete," said Gill. "Coach Lester's offense does a good enough job opening up the defense as it is, but adding that extra running ability that Brendan brings just makes us a lot more explosive."
Perhaps no Sullivan play stood out more on Saturday night than an oh-no-oh-yes juke he gave to Wisconsin LB John Pius, leading to a 19-yard gain and a first down on Iowa's first drive of the second half, a decisive 10-play march down the field:
Iowa would score on a 9-yard Johnson rush four plays later, pushing the lead to 21-3, and the game was functionally, spiritually over.
Ferentz declined to mention anything past "wait and see what happens" for McNamara's return to practice following last week's concussion, which is the most prudent approach.
But the right question isn't when Ferentz returns McNamara to the top of the QB depth chart, or even if he does. It's how, or why he would with two stellar performances by Sullivan in the books, and Iowa back to bowl eligibility after an unexpectedly shaky first half of the season.
It's remarkable for a team to lose its senior captain quarterback and not only rally around his backup but to thrive on offense in his stead, but that is precisely what Sullivan has delivered to Iowa City.
"It's just [Sullivan] always working hard and always setting himself aside," said Johnson. "You know, just working."
As long as Sullivan's working, the offense is working, and Iowa certainly can't ask for much more than that.
