New Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara wants complete command of the offense, right down to how the Hawkeyes break a huddle.
“I definitely want to start every play with a good break,” he said. “If we’re not in sync, it looks a little sloppy. If we have a clean break, it just gets the play started off right.”
McNamara has yet to take a snap in a game for the No. 25 Hawkeyes, but the Michigan transfer is the key to reviving one of the nation’s worst offenses. Iowa won eight games despite being 129th in total offense, 123rd in rushing and 122nd in passing and scoring.
McNamara takes over for three-year starter Spencer Petras, who completed just 55.9% of his passes last season with five touchdowns and five interceptions.
“I’ve been here seven months now, and it’s been the best seven months of my life,” said McNamara, Michigan’s starter in 2021. “I’m enjoying my time here, building my relationships with these dudes. Everyone here has been so welcoming to me. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of things, I’m more grateful I’m here.”
Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, more than anybody, is counting on McNamara to produce. The son of head coach Kirk Ferentz took a pay cut from $900,000 to $850,000 and his two-year rollover was put on hold as part of a contract amendment in February.
If Iowa wins seven games and increases its scoring average to 25 points — points by the defense and special teams included — he’ll be paid a lump sum of $112,500, have his salary raised to $925,000 and go back to having a two-year rolling contract.
McNamara left a scrimmage Aug. 12 with what was described as a soft-tissue injury to his right leg. Kirk Ferentz said at the time he didn’t think the injury was serious and McNamara returned to practice last week, but he’s questionable for Saturday’s opener against Utah State.
Up front
Logan Jones had two difficult tasks last season — moving from defensive line to center and replacing All-American and first-round NFL draft pick Tyler Linderbaum. Jones admitted he struggled with everything from snaps to reading defenses. He said he has become more comfortable with the position.
“Our defense throws a lot of things at us, which is pretty good,” Jones said. “You never know what a team is going to throw at us. Sometimes a team is going to throw a certain front at us that I don’t know, and then we’ll have to make adjustments, learn from that.
“But I’ve learned a lot from last year to this year. I’m not going to be perfect, but I know a lot more.”
Tight end U
Erick All, another Michigan transfer, joins Luke Lachey at tight end, a perennial position of strength for the Hawkeyes.
Lachey was listed No. 1 on the depth chart after catching 28 passes for 398 yards and four touchdowns. He spent the last two seasons backing up Sam LaPorta, a second-round NFL draft pick.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Lachey said. “My game is so much better now than what it was.”
Replacing Campbell
The biggest departure on defense was Butkus Award-winning linebacker Jack Campbell, who was the Associated Press Big Ten defensive player of the year and a consensus All-American.
Nick Jackson, a graduate transfer from Virginia, led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 10.4 tackles per game and joins a deep group of linebackers that includes seniors Jay Higgins and Kyler Fisher.
“He’s learning everything,” Kirk Ferentz said. “It’s like drinking through a fire hose a little bit, but he is a pretty cerebral guy and he is picking it up fast.”
Gambling investigation
Two current players, backup kicker Aaron Blom and walk-on receiver Jack Johnson, are among the people charged in the state’s ongoing investigation into illegal sports wagering at Iowa and Iowa State.
Defensive tackle Noah Shannon, a projected starter, has not been charged and the school is appealing his seasonlong NCAA suspension. The senior from Aurora has acknowledged his involvement in sports wagering.
“We’ll continue to cooperate,” Kirk Ferentz said, “but our biggest thing right now is focusing on this season, and we’ll handle each case basically individually as they come.”
Looking ahead
Iowa avoids Michigan and Ohio State but plays at Penn State in an East Division crossover game. The Hawkeyes visit Wisconsin and Nebraska, and the annual Cy-Hawk game against Iowa State is on the road.
More Big Ten football previews
Illinois, fresh off a bowl trip and 8-win season, has ‘unfinished business’ with ‘influx of talent’
Indiana looks for solutions to keep QBs healthy in hopes of turnaround after 2 poor seasons
Maryland — with experienced QB Taulia Tagovailoa — aiming higher this season
Michigan aiming for 1st national title since 1997 behind QB J.J. McCarthy and RB Blake Corum
Michigan State hope to bounce back from a lost season marred by suspensions from melee
Minnesota turns offense over to Athan Kaliakmanis after QB’s promising head start
Nebraska’s new coach Matt Rhule wants to win now, but he promises to take no shortcuts
Northwestern hopes interim coach David Braun can steady program after hazing scandal
Penn State enters coach James Franklin’s 10th season confident as ever
Purdue hoping Hudson Card can be their next ace at the ‘Cradle of Quarterbacks’
Ohio State hungers for a win over Michigan — and a return to College Football Playoff
Rutgers still trying to close the Big Ten gap in Greg Schiano’s 4th season back
Wisconsin, with a new coach and offense, eager to return to Big Ten title contention
