Like every team in postseason play, Iowa suffered defections to the transfer portal or NFL draft preparations, like star running back Kaleb Johnson deciding to turn pro.
But the Hawkeyes (8-4) got quarterback Brendan Sullivan back from injury for their Music City Bowl matchup with No. 19 Missouri (9-3) on Monday in Nashville, Tenn.
Sullivan hasn’t played since he suffered a sprained ankle on Nov. 8 in a 20-17 loss to UCLA.
“He feels fully confident,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “The injury is in the history now, it’s passed. Just getting caught up because he missed a couple weeks there. This has been a good period where he’s getting some work.”
Sullivan, who became starter after Cade McNamara suffered a concussion against Northwestern, has completed 24 of 35 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns.
He will be backed up by Jackson Stratton, who led the Hawkeyes to victories over Maryland and Nebraska while both McNamara and Sullivan were injured. McNamara subsequently entered the transfer portal.
Running backs Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson figure to step up in Johnson’s absence. Moulton ran for 377 yards and two touchdowns on 70 carries this season while Patterson rushed for 235 yards on 54 carries.
The Hawkeyes of the Big Ten earned this bowl invitation by winning four of their last five games. “Midseason we were teetering a little bit,” Ferentz said. “The guys came back, really rallied.”
Missouri’s offense will be missing several contributors. Wide receiver Luther Burden III opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft while tight end Brett Norfleet and receiver Mookie Cooper underwent season-ending surgeries.
But quarterback Brady Cook will be healthier after suffering a high ankle sprain and a hand injury this season. The latter injury happened against Southeastern Conference foe Alabama and caused him to sit out against Oklahoma. He has completed 183 of 289 passes for 2,248 yards and nine touchdowns against two interceptions.
Cook also ran for 169 yards and five TDs. With Burden gone, receiver Theo Wease Jr. (55 catches, 809 yards, three touchdowns) will be even more important for the passing attack.
“They have some veteran players where it really counts,” Ferentz said. “The quarterback is an outstanding player.”
Running backs Nate Noel (804 yards, three touchdowns on 157 carries), Marcus Carroll (578 yards, 12 touchdowns on 134 carries) and Jamal Roberts (214 yards, three touchdowns on 52 rushes) lead a ground game that is back to full strength.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz expects Iowa to present a stiff defensive challenge under coordinator Phil Parker.
“Their defensive coordinator, we were joking, he’s been there since 1998, that’s older than most of our team, most of our players,” Drinkwitz said. “(Parker) runs the same system, very disciplined, very, very detailed on the defensive side of the ball.”
In the chaotic college football landscape, Iowa has maintained an enduring identity. Since 2001, the Hawkeyes have failed to earn a bowl game invitation just twice.
“Coach Ferentz, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and what he’s done with the Hawkeye program,” Drinkwitz said. “I think he’s done 26 years as the head coach. Model of consistency and development. Does an excellent job with player identification and development.”
This game gained a bit more spice when Missouri beat out Iowa for transfer quarterback Beau Pribula from Penn State during the leadup to this bowl game.
–Field Level Media
