Usually a Kirk Ferentz press conference includes the media asking him questions and Ferentz giving somewhat tight lipped answers, especially about the quarterback position. On Tuesday, he changed it up and accidently told the media that Jeremy Hecklinksi will start at Minnesota Saturday.
“Let me just ask you guys a question,” Ferentz said. “You guys ask me questions. Have we announced the depth chart yet or not?”
The depth chart had, indeed, been released the previous day. It included the return of the “OR” designation between quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, indicating a decision about who would start against Minnesota had not yet been made. Or, at the very least, it had not yet been made public.
That’s why what Ferentz said next was so out of character for him and caught members of the media by surprise. “OK, alright, so Hecklinski,” Ferentz said. “We’re listing him as our starter.”
That caused some surprise and confusion among reporters in the room. Hecklinski wasn’t listed as Iowa’s starter on the depth chart. Second the Hawkeyes have been extremely tight-lipped throughout the quarterback rollercoaster this season, so the fact that Ferentz so openly presented the decision was unexpected.
Kick off at Minnesota is 2:35pm on MC 93.
