This morning, the news that Iowa fans dreaded broke. Quarterback 1 (QB1) is set to miss the rest of the season due to what is believed to be a severe "high ankle sprain." This development has opened the door for the return of Cade McNamara to the starting role, provided he was able to clear concussion protocols during the bye week.

When the Possibility Was Known

Last week, when Tim Lester mentioned that they were awaiting some imaging, we all understood that this was a potential outcome. However, many people intentionally overlooked this information and focused on his talk of a "competition" at quarterback, hoping that it meant the sprained and likely concussed Sullivan had resumed football activities.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Sadly, just five hours later, with the release of the depth chart, it became clear that we will likely have to wait until 2025 to see Brendan under center again. This is a significant setback for the team.

Cade McNamara Takes the Lead

Now, Cade McNamara is listed as QB1 ahead of Jackson Stratton on Iowa's depth chart for the Maryland game. This is a crucial moment for the team as they prepare to face their next opponent.

Other Team Updates

Both Luke Lachey and Addison Ostrenga are back, which is definitely a positive development. Having Jay Higgins in the lineup is always a huge boost. However, looking at the quarterback line and considering that KJ2 and the rest of the running backs are likely to face 8-9 man boxes in the next two games fills us with a certain level of dread. Our next opponent is 1-6 in the B18, yet this situation still causes concern.

Depth Chart Changes

There have been no major changes through the rest of the depth chart heading into the Maryland game. The only real developments seem to have occurred at the LT spot on both sides of the ball. Trevor Lauck has assumed the #2 OLT position, and Will Huber has solidified himself as the #2 DLT.

Jackson Stratton's Role

During the bye week, Jackson Stratton took 100% of the first team reps. The only question now is whether he will remain an emergency quarterback or if he could take the reins if Cade struggles. This is a topic of much speculation among fans.