IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz expressed optimism regarding Mark Gronowski’s status, though it remained unclear and uncertain in Tuesday’s latest update on Iowa’s injured starting quarterback.
According to the 27-year head coach, the Hawkeyes also do not currently know if he will be available for Saturday’s game against Wisconsin after he suffered an injury to his right knee in a 20-15 loss to Indiana in week five.
“Regarding Mark, so far so good,” Ferentz said. “It’s been encouraging. He’s gotten some good work in. A week ago, I wasn’t so optimistic. We’ll take it as it goes this week.”
Ferentz continued and explained what will need to occur for Gronowski to return to the field against the Badgers in Madison.
“He basically practiced (today),” Ferentz said. “We weren’t running quarterback runs or anything like that. He had a normal day. I don’t know if his car is out there right now, but I see it out there a lot. At least, I have the last nine days. He’s in the building an awful lot. He’s wearing out the training staff. Testing came back positive. That’s the most important thing. Basically, it’s what he can do, how fast he can progress. I know he’s doing every bit he can from that standpoint. The medical staff’s doing a great job working with him. Pleasantly surprised, quite frankly. Not saying I wasn’t going to be optimistic, but you’re always concerned when a guy has an injury.”
Ferentz clarified Gronowski is “medically cleared” to return to play, but the team does not want to rush him back into action.
“It’s a matter of what can he do effectively and efficiently and confidently,” Ferentz said. “… That’s going to be the number one conversation at the end of the week, that you can go out there and play well, play effectively, not be thinking about it, not trying to protect yourself, that type of deal. That doesn’t do anybody any good. That’s what the week is at right now. It’s work through it and see what he looks like. Looks like he’s fine today. Who knows tomorrow. He may be sore, he may be swollen. We don’t know. We’ll take it a day at a time and see what it looks like. He has to feel good.”
The Hawkeyes also find themselves entertaining a quarterback battle for the backup duties, which suddenly comes into focus as Gronowski works his way back.
Auburn transfer Hank Brown, who took over for Gronowski on the final three drives against Indiana, and Jeremy Hecklinski now share the backup role on the depth chart. Brown previously served as the sole backup to Gronowski.
Ferentz said Hecklinski, a Wake Forest transfer, took advantage of the bye week and expanded opportunities with Gronowski on the mend to move up the depth chart.
“As you can imagine, last week Mark didn’t do anything with football,” Ferentz said. “He didn’t get any snaps. We took all the reps that we did have and divided up those two guys. We’re going to let those guys compete.
“I thought they both did well. Hank’s got the inside track, if you will, in that he’s been here longer. Went through the entire spring ball, so he got a really good jump systematically. Jeremy has done a good job with it.”
With a starter working his way back and a battle for the second-string duties, Ferentz said Saturday’s starter will ultimately be decided by practice on Friday.
“We’re going to let those guys compete,” Ferentz said. “Really, with all three of them now, it’s who looks best by Friday, that’s who will start the game.
“It’s a pretty open competition. Hank has done a really nice job. Jeremy has been impressive. In season, it’s tough to give three guys reps. It’s hard to do. With the bye week, that gave us a chance for all the guys to compete. I think both guys look good. They’re different quarterbacks. They have different strengths. You just never know. We’ll see how it all shakes out.”
Ferentz also avoided a question about whether Iowa centered its game plan around Gronowski as its starting quarterback.
“We put the game plan up there,” Ferentz said. “Depending on who’s in the game will dictate where you lean a little bit. The offense looks like the offense pretty much. Just kind of go in the direction with whatever that particular player’s skill set may be and try to emphasize that if that player’s in the game.
“If Mark starts again, it’s like last week: there’s no guarantee he’ll finish, or any player. You have to have that flexibility. We’re not banking on anything. We’ve had nothing but unknowns. Today I would say was the most positive stuff that we’ve had in terms of, Okay, maybe this is realistic. … We’ll see what it looks like Friday and go from there.”
Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) faces Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) on the road at 6 p.m. on Saturday with broadcast coverage provided by Fox Sports 1 and the Hawkeye Radio Network.
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Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com.
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Ethan Petrik
University of Iowa Athletics Beat Reporter
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