Kirk Ferentz sets expectations for quarterback room, Iowa offense

Spencer Petras is an experienced starting quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but he hasn’t lit the world on fire statistically. This, of course, means that younger players are going to push him for the starting job and it leaves questions for the quarterback room. At Big Ten Media Days, head coach Kirk Ferentz set expectations for that quarterback room.

“We’ve got two quarterbacks that have won games for us and played well on the field,” Kirk Ferentz explained. “We expect both of them, anticipate they’re both going to be better this year in Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla.”

One thing that Kirk Ferentz realizes is that quarterbacks can’t win games alone. If they don’t have talent around them, then they’re going to struggle. He broke down a few of Iowa’s weapons that can help whoever the quarterback is.

“Then in the running back/receiver room, both of those groups are young,” Kirk Ferentz said. “We’ve got a lot of young players in both of those outside of Nico Ragaini, who’s a veteran receiver, but the rest of the guys are young in both those positions. Williams is at the running back position. And Arland Bruce, Keagan Johnson, just to name a couple of receivers. It will be interesting to see how they develop here in year two for those guys and grow.”

“Then the tight end position we feel good about with Sam LaPorta is here with the group, and Luke Lachey is a really good football player as well. We’ve got some work to do and growing to make and improvement to make. We’ll see how that comes out.”

Iowa has always been consistent under Kirk Ferentz. As he pointed out, the quarterback room is full of proven winners, even if their stats aren’t amazing. There’s also good talent surrounding them and Ferentz has high expectations.