Iowa QB Hecklinski Expected to Start at Minnesota

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Jeremy Hecklinski will start at quarterback against Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 24, ending a close competition with Hank Brown for now. Hecklinski earned the nod after leading Iowa to a road win over Washington, completing 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns; he has four touchdown passes and one interception this season. Ferentz said Brown is fully healthy and could play, noting that both quarterbacks have helped the team succeed and that Brown rallied Iowa with two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Ohio State. Hecklinski said his Washington performance boosted his confidence, while identifying decisions in the run game as an area to improve. The matchup also marks a return to the site of Hecklinski’s first touchdown in an Iowa uniform, scored against Minnesota last season, when the Hawkeyes won 41-3.