All offseason long, one question has swirled around the Iowa football program: who will be the starting quarterback? On the morning of the season opener, it appears there is finally an answer to that question, at least in the short run.
Fourth-year Hank Brown and third-year Jeremy Hecklinski have battled all summer for the starting quarterback role. It's been a back and forth competition, with both guys earning small victories throughout the process. Despite that, head coach Kirk Ferentz didn't name a starter for the 2026 season opener against Northern Illinois.
With just hours until kickoff, fans now have an answer on who will trot out there to begin the game.
CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported Saturday morning that Brown will get the start for
Iowa against the Huskies. Per Zenitz, both quarterbacks are still expected to play. Brown will start and get multiple series and then Hecklinski will come in and get multiple series.
But, it will be the Auburn transfer in Brown that gets the first crack at things this season.
Both quarterbacks will play today for Iowa vs. Northern Illinois as the QB competition for the Hawkeyes continues, sources tell me, @EliotClough and @DavidEickholt.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 5, 2026
Hank Brown will start and play a couple series. Jeremy Hecklinski will then come in and get a couple series. https://t.co/Lsh5dieAsc pic.twitter.com/7No1ZdMHWF
While the quarterback battle is far from over, the coaching staff choosing to start Brown today could be a small indication of their confidence in the fourth-year signal caller.
Last season, Brown completed 11 of 21 passes for 107 yards with a touchdown in three appearances. The 6-foot-4 quarterback struggled against eventual national champion Indiana in 2025, completing just 5 of 13 passes for 48 yards with an interception against the Hoosiers after Mark Gronowski exited with injury. But, Brown has reportedly played well in camp.
Hecklinski completed each of his two passes for eight yards last season.
Fans will have their first opportunity to see how both quarterbacks fare in an actual game when Iowa and Northern Illinois kick off at 3:15 p.m. CT on Saturday afternoon. The game can be seen on the Big Ten Network.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football reportedly decides on starting QB vs. Northern Illinois
