Iowa QB McNamara clarifies rumors about status

• Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

  Senior WriterNov 22, 2024, 05:56 PM ET Close College football reporter; signed up with ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Iowa quarterback

Cade McNamara said he didn’t take a trip to Saturday’s game at Maryland after not being totally cleared from a concussion sustained last month.McNamara on Friday went to X to react to what he called “ridiculous accusations”about his status with the team. The senior stated he stays”a proud member of this football group.” McNamara last played Oct. 26

against Northwestern, when he sustained the concussion. Brendan Sullivan actioned in and began Iowa’s next couple of games, however an ankle injury has actually sidelined him for the Maryland matchup. Sources informed ESPN that Sullivan likely will not return until Iowa’s bowl game. Jackson Stratton, a walk-on who transferred to Iowa from Colorado State, will begin versus Maryland.Editor’s Picks 1 Associated Iowa listed McNamara as the starter on its Monday depth chart, and he said he had actually been cleared to practice Sunday but”had an adverse response, which prevails for someone coming out of [concussion] protocol.”He said he did not take part in practice Monday and for the rest of the week, and continues to work with team medical professionals and a concussion specialist.Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz stated Tuesday that McNamara’s status was “cloudy, “but that the quarterback had actually been cleared to play. “Whether he can play successfully or not, we’ll see, “Ferentz said.Ferentz said on his radio show Wednesday that Stratton remained in line to make his first start.”He’ll get the start,”Ferentz said

.”Confident that he’ll do a terrific job. He actioned in, did a really good task in our last ballgame, and he’s got a good capability to throw the football, and he’s finding out every day.

“Stratton completed 3 of 6 passes for 28 backyards in Iowa’s loss versus UCLA on Nov. 8. He appeared in 4 games for Colorado State in 2022 and none last season.McNamara, a transfer from Michigan who helped the Wolverines to the 2021 Big 10 title, has actually opened the past 2 seasons as Iowa’s starter. He sustained an ACL tear in September 2023 that cost him the remainder of the season. McNamara has 1,022 passing lawns with 10 goals

and 8 interceptions at Iowa.He composed on X that he intends to play in Iowa’s regular-season finale Nov. 29 at home versus Nebraska.