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Two weeks ago, the quarterback position was looking pristine in Iowa City. 

Hank Brown was fresh off leading Iowa football to a game-winning, 91-yard touchdown drive to beat Michigan at the horn. Hawkeye Nation jubilantly celebrated the improbable victory, but they were also partying about something else – Brown's poise on that final drive and in the fourth quarter alone. 

That wasn't something Iowa fans had seen from their quarterback in years, but it was more than enough for them to feel that Brown was the quarterback they could rely on to guide the Hawkeyes to a dream season. 

There was some pushback after Brown and the Iowa offense sputtered against a talented Ohio State team on a big stage the following weekend, but no one filing out of Kinnick Stadium that day thought the quarterback controversy that dominated every offseason headline would be thrown back in their faces. 

Brown was injured late in the third quarter during that 31-14 loss, and though Kirk Ferentz declared the injury as a minor one in the postgame press conference, it soon became clear that backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski would be the guy against Washington. 

After narrowly losing an intense competition to Brown in the non-conference, Hecklinski knew Friday would probably be his last chance to prove to his coaches that he can be the full-time starter. He even cut his mullet haircut prior to the Ohio State game in order for a "fresh start." 

Fresh haircut or not, Hecklinski walked into a difficult road environment and absolutely pummeled Washington. It probably was a safe bet to assume he would play well in this game, but none of the Hawkeye fans that made the trip to Husky Stadium anticipated the game we would see from the man they call "Heck." 

Some teams operate with a safe game plan (short, quick passes) when they know they are going to use a backup quarterback, but that wasn't the case for Hecklinski. Ferentz has always been quick to express his confidence in Hecklinski in just about every presser since naming Brown the full-time starter ahead of the Michigan game, and that confidence showed. 

It took Hecklinski a drive and a half to settle in, but once his nerves calmed down, he didn't miss a beat. A strong rushing attack led by Kamari Moulton certainly helped open up the passing lanes but there was just a different feeling this offense had when Hecklinski was under center. I can't pinpoint why that would be the case, but the offense simply looked like it was having fun. 

Ok, maybe not Steve Spurrier's "Fun 'n' Gun" offense level of fun, but the efficiency was off the charts. Hecklinski finished this game completing 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns – becoming the fourth quarterback in the Ferentz era to do so in their first collegiate start. 

And it wasn't like Hecklinski was completing check downs, either. The anticipation and quick release were on full display, and Washington's defense had no answer for it. 

When the clock read triple zeroes, Iowa's West Coast woes were over. The 41-14 win marked the first time in 15 years that the Hawkeyes have scored 40+ points three times in their first six games of the year and gave them an impressive 5-1 (2-1 in conference) mark heading into the bye week. 

While some Iowa fans are probably disappointed they have to sit through a weekend without Hawkeye football, the fun is just beginning, folks. 

Ferentz has a massive decision to make before Iowa returns to action against rival Minnesota on Oct – go back to Brown or keep the suddenly red-hot Hecklinski in there.

Who knows what the decision is going to be, but one thing's for certain – there's another quarterback controversy in Iowa City. 

Buckle up, Hawkeye Nation. 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io

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