Ad Disclosure
Kirk Ferentz provides update on QB Spencer Petras as Iowa prepares for Illinois
Published:
With a developing quarterback situation on his hands, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday he’s comfortable with both Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla at quarterback.
Petras, the starter for the first 9 games of Iowa’s season, left the Northwestern game on Nov. 6 with what was described as a lingering shoulder injury. He attempted just 4 passes in the game. The Hawkeyes, led by Padilla in a relief effort, beat the Cats 17-12.
During the following week, Ferentz said, via The Gazette, the 3rd-year man was medically cleared to play, but “then the rest of it is, ‘Can a player play effectively?’ For a quarterback, if you can’t throw it effectively, it’s tough.”
Padilla earned the start against Minnesota on Saturday, becoming just the 3rd quarterback to start a game at Iowa since 2017. The Hawkeyes don’t typically make in-season changes at quarterback, but this will be a situation to monitor. Padilla, a sophomore, went 11-for-24 passing with 206 yards and 2 scores in the 27-22 win over Minnesota.
Ferentz had this to say on the situation Tuesday:
🗣 KF: "We're trying to get Spencer back in the groove. He's been working with the 2's. We are comfortable with both guys." #Hawkeyes
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) November 16, 2021
“We’re trying to get Spencer back in the groove,” Ferentz said. “He’s been working with the 2s. We are comfortable with both guys.”
Iowa (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) plays Illinois 4-6, 3-4 Big Ten) Saturday. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on FS1.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.