Kirk Ferentz is juggling a host of injuries at quarterback as Iowa prepares for a matchup against Maryland in Week 13. It led to some confusing explanations as to how the Hawkeyes plan to line up for the first play of the game.

At his Tuesday press conference, Ferentz acknowledged Cade McNamara has been practicing in an attempt to return from injury. Marco Lainez, the third-string QB to start the season, is also back from injury with Brendan Sullivan officially out after previous reports of a season-ending injury sustained vs. UCLA.

“(Cade) practiced Sunday, everything’s clearly cloudy right now,” said Ferentz about the QB depth chart. “That’s our forecast, our weather forecast… We’ll just take it day by day and see who can go.”

As for his expectation, Ferentz said he expects Jackson Stratton, the QB to finish the game against UCLA, to get the start if Iowa was set to play tomorrow. Stratton was 3-for-6 passing the ball for 28 yards with a 14-yard carry after replacing Sullivan.

“Jackson (Stratton), I assume we’ll start the way we finished (the UCLA game), is the best way I can put it… That’s where I sit,” Ferentz explained. “Then we’ll see who can do what. If we were playing tomorrow, that’s how it would be.”

Asked for one final clarification, Ferentz said Stratton would be the current starter on the depth. However, he expects to have a firm answer on Friday, but do not expect any type of announcement from the Hawkeyes.

“If we were playing right now, it would be Jackson. We’ll see. I’ll know on Friday. You probably won’t but I will what’s going to take place,” cracked Ferentz.