By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – While it’s probably premature to say that Cade McNamara will never start another game at quarterback for the Iowa football team, it’s starting to look that way.

Because if Brendan Sullivan were to play well against UCLA on Friday in Los Angeles, and if Iowa comes out victorious, switching back to McNamara once he becomes healthy would make absolutely no sense under the circumstances.

McNamara is expected to miss his second straight game on Friday due to a concussion that he suffered in the win over Northwestern on Oct. 26 at Kinnick Stadium.

Sullivan made his first start as a Hawkeye against Wisconsin last Saturday and he threw for 93 yards and rushed for 58 yards in the 42-10 victory.

His passing statistics left something to be desired, but that was mostly because Iowa didn’t have to throw very much since it rushed for 329 yards against the Badgers.

There will come a time this season, and it could happen against UCLA on Friday, where the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Sullivan might have to win a game with his arm.

The Bruins only allow 100.4 rushing yards per game, but they give up an average of 261.3 passing yards per game.

“Defensively, they’re extremely active, extremely aggressive, extremely athletic,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said of the Bruins.

McNamara started the first eight games this season, but he struggled with his accuracy, and he also posed no threat as a runner.

But with Sullivan playing quarterback, defenses will have to always be aware of his running ability, and that gives the offense a dimension that it doesn’t have with the 6-1 McNamara playing quarterback.

The Iowa running game was productive with McNamara behind center, but it looks even better with Sullivan behind center, partly because defenses have to account for Sullivan at all times.

“I’d say it definitely opened up things a lot because the opposing team doesn’t know if the quarterback is going to pull the ball and run with it, or is he going to throw it or hand it off to the back,” said sophomore running back Jaziun Patterson. “So, I definitely think that dual element has propelled us in games.

“Defenses don’t know what’s coming at them. So, I think that’s big factor, that he’s a dual-threat quarterback.”

Part of what makes a dual-threat quarterback effective is the ability to make a play even after the initial play breaks down.

There have been numerous times in which Sullivan has kept a play alive with his ability to scramble from the pocket, whereas McNamara just doesn’t have that ability.

McNamara never was much of a runner, even when he started for Michigan in 2021, but he seems even less mobile now after having suffered two straight season-ending knee injuries.

Sullivan has earned the chance to be Iowa’s starting quarterback, even when McNamara returns from his injury.

But if Sullivan were to play poorly in a game, McNamara could always be inserted once he is healthy again.

Sullivan transferred to Iowa from Northwestern in June. He was considered an insurance policy in case McNamara were to suffer another physical setback.

Sullivan is clearly a better runner than passer at this stage, but he is working with first-year offensive coordinator Tim Lester to improve his passing skills.

“I came here with a little sloppy footwork and he’s kind of tuned that up for me, which has helped my passing game, being on time and stuff like that,” Sullivan said of Lester, who played quarterback in college.

Sullivan came to Iowa looking for an opportunity.

He knew that McNamara was the starting quarterback, but the Iowa coaches still convinced Sullivan to be a Hawkeye.

Sullivan probably knew that McNamara was injury prone, and Sullivan also probably knew that he was a better runner than McNamara.

Sullivan stayed patient, and when the time came for him to be used in more than just goal-line packages, he was ready.

Kirk Ferentz is expected to play who he feels gives Iowa the best chance to win, and right now, Sullivan appears to be the best option at quarterback.

McNamara has combined to start 13 games over two seasons for Iowa.

He has been given plenty of opportunities to solidify his starting position, but due to injuries and ineffectiveness, it just hasn’t happened.

Brendan Sullivan has stepped in and provided a spark that just wasn’t there with McNamara.

Colorado State transfer Jackson Stratton will be the backup quarterback against UCLA since redshirt freshman Marco Lainez is also unavailable due to an injury.

“He’s really learning, and he’s a very capable thrower,” Kirk Ferentz said of Stratton. “That’s his strength, and we’ll see what happens. But hopefully we just kind of keep the status quo and just keep moving. But he’s done a good job.”

The status quo means Brendan Sullivan playing quarterback.

No disrespect to Cade McNamara, but he just hasn’t played well enough to be the starter right now.

Assuming he returns, McNamara might actually be the new insurance policy if Sullivan were to struggle.

They’ve sort of switched roles.

Iowa (6-3, 4-2) vs. UCLA (3-5, 2-4)

When: Friday, 8:05 p.m.

Where: Los Angeles, Rose Bowl Stadium (91,136)

TV: FOX

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

All-time series: UCLA leads 7-2

Last meeting: UCLA won 45-28 on Jan. 1, 1986 in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.