Iowa will be without starting QB Spencer Petras in Music City Bowl

Iowa landed their quarterback of the future earlier this week when Michigan transfer Cade McNamara committed to the Hawkeyes. However, the former four-star recruit won’t be able to suit up for Kirk Ferentz’s program until next season. The Big Ten West team is going to have to get through one more game before the offense gets a fresh start in 2023.

However, things are not great in Brian Ferentz’s QB room. Spencer Petras was knocked out of the game against Nebraska with an arm injury and backup Alex Padilla entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. On Sunday, Ferentz confirmed that Iowa’s starting quarterback won’t be available on New Year’s Eve.

Official: Kirk Ferentz announces that QB Spencer Petras will miss the Music City Bowl due to injury suffered against Nebraska. It required surgery.

— Kennington Lloyd Smith III (@SkinnyKenny_) December 4, 2022

Petras’ season is done after the California native completed 57.3 percent of his passes with a 6.5 yards per attempt average and 10 passing touchdowns. Kentucky will now have to prepare for a quarterback with no college tape.

Joe Labas is the presumed QB3 at Iowa and the Ohio native figures to be in line to get his first career start against Kentucky on New Year’s Eve at Nissan Stadium. The former mid three-star recruit in the class of 2021 is a redshirt freshman who flipped his commitment from Ball State to Iowa heading into his senior year. However, we have yet to see Labas throw a pass in college. However, true freshman Carson May get also get a shot as Iowa begins bowl prep.

That first playing time will come against Kentucky. Defensive coordinator Brad White and his group will have to do some digging to get ready for an unknown signal-caller in the Music City Bowl. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will hope Labas or May can give a woeful Iowa offense a much-needed jolt.

Expect the unexpected in bowl games. Kentucky will be walking in blind on defense against the Hawkeyes at the Music City Bowl.