Jeremy Hecklinski=short Leash; Hank Brown=no leash

RagnarLothbrok

Heisman
Jun 11, 2025
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Neither quarterback is good, but Hank Brown is not better than Heck. But for whatever reason only being injured will sideline Brown. Heck has to be lights out or he doesn’t even get a half.

There’s still plenty of football ahead this season and as I type this Iowa could pull this game out of their azz if the offense can do something, but let’s be perfectly honest here: Heck has gotten the shaft while Brown has been given all sorts of unmerited latitude despite not being any good and also turning over the football.

Yeah, I am tired of quarterback play being trash at Iowa. Sigh.
 

uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
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Neither quarterback is good, but Hank Brown is not better than Heck. But for whatever reason only being injured will sideline Brown. Heck has to be lights out or he doesn’t even get a half.

There’s still plenty of football ahead this season and as I type this Iowa could pull this game out of their azz if the offense can do something, but let’s be perfectly honest here: Heck has gotten the shaft while Brown has been given all sorts of unmerited latitude despite not being any good and also turning over the football.

Yeah, I am tired of quarterback play being trash at Iowa. Sigh.
What did you just say about Hank??? Heck was off today, he had Diaz open for 2 TDs and threw very poor passes, Hank is better, even the drop by RVZ a few plays ago was right in his hands. Heck had 2 passes batted down as he is shorter and throws somewhat sidearm.

I dont have a dog in this fight but I think Hank is a little better.
 

RagnarLothbrok

Heisman
Jun 11, 2025
6,724
17,707
113
What did you just say about Hank??? Heck was off today, he had Diaz open for 2 TDs and threw very poor passes, Hank is better, even the drop by RVZ a few plays ago was right in his hands. Heck had 2 passes batted down as he is shorter and throws somewhat sidearm.

I dont have a dog in this fight but I think Hank is a little better.
Meh.

it’s splitting hairs IMO.
 

RagnarLothbrok

Heisman
Jun 11, 2025
6,724
17,707
113
What did you just say about Hank??? Heck was off today, he had Diaz open for 2 TDs and threw very poor passes, Hank is better, even the drop by RVZ a few plays ago was right in his hands. Heck had 2 passes batted down as he is shorter and throws somewhat sidearm.

I dont have a dog in this fight but I think Hank is a little better.
Sweet 3rd down pass by Hank to a wide open DJV.

I’m telling you, terrible quarterback play is why Iowa can’t be a legitimate top 15 team.
 

UndercoverHawk

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2015
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Hank Brown is just flat out terrible. At least Hecklinski is ok and has shown the ability to have great games. But we all knew this was never a competition. Kirk always wanted Brown so Brown is what it’s gonna be. Hecklinski passed Brown last year, but it was the backup job so Kirk didn’t care who was higher on depth chart. Then we all saw the kids day scrimmage. Amazing how every time that Brown is “better” than Hecklinski it’s behind closed doors.
 

RagnarLothbrok

Heisman
Jun 11, 2025
6,724
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113
Hank Brown is just flat out terrible. At least Hecklinski is ok and has shown the ability to have great games. But we all knew this was never a competition. Kirk always wanted Brown so Brown is what it’s gonna be. Hecklinski passed Brown last year, but it was the backup job so Kirk didn’t care who was higher on depth chart. Then we all saw the kids day scrimmage. Amazing how every time that Brown is “better” than Hecklinski it’s behind closed doors.
It’s splitting hairs IMO, but it still doesn’t answer the OP as to why Brown has a long leash and Heck’s is so short.
 
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DukeSlater

All-American
Jul 2, 2023
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Sweet 3rd down pass by Hank to a wide open DJV.

I’m telling you, terrible quarterback play is why Iowa can’t be a legitimate top 15 team.
But then look at the QB play at Indiana and Michigan. It's just as bad, if not worse. Hell, Indiana didn't complete ONE pass in the entire second half today . . . except in OT. There seem to be lots of bad QBs this year, at least in the BIG.
 
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TRHawkeye28

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Jan 1, 2023
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Oh, I'd absolutely go with him soon. If he's not the future at QB, there is none. Get him out there and get him reps so he'll be ready to roll next season. Neither Heck nor Hank is gonna take Iowa anywhere near the CFP.
Exactly - if Sullivan or Bessinger has shown any ability to be a good QB you start playing them now. No point in wasting 2 more years with either Heck or Hank

This season is done anyway. One of Hank or Heck will transfer next year too. Let those other guys get their feet wet and play for the future
 
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IA79Cam

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Jan 1, 2023
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I still believe that after the first two drives in the second half, they should have gone back to Heck to see if anything could change. They have both cemented that neither do anything to outperform the other. They'll ride Hank the remainder of the season, however.
Did they even coach Heck up on the sidelines after they pulled him or did they just let him stand there?
 

7and5baby

Sophomore
Sep 22, 2018
77
134
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Neither quarterback is good, but Hank Brown is not better than Heck. But for whatever reason only being injured will sideline Brown. Heck has to be lights out or he doesn’t even get a half.

There’s still plenty of football ahead this season and as I type this Iowa could pull this game out of their azz if the offense can do something, but let’s be perfectly honest here: Heck has gotten the shaft while Brown has been given all sorts of unmerited latitude despite not being any good and also turning over the football.

Yeah, I am tired of quarterback play being trash at Iowa. Sigh.
Yup. Once KF declares a starter, he is for life (unless serious injury or graduation). Been this way for over a quarter-century. Matters not how good the backups are.
 
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DuddyB

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Hank Brown is just flat out terrible. At least Hecklinski is ok and has shown the ability to have great games. But we all knew this was never a competition. Kirk always wanted Brown so Brown is what it’s gonna be. Hecklinski passed Brown last year, but it was the backup job so Kirk didn’t care who was higher on depth chart. Then we all saw the kids day scrimmage. Amazing how every time that Brown is “better” than Hecklinski it’s behind closed doors.
Heck had plenty of chances today, you might have been able to give him one more series but the reality is neither Qb has done enough to not be on a short leash.
 
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RagnarLothbrok

Heisman
Jun 11, 2025
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But then look at the QB play at Indiana and Michigan. It's just as bad, if not worse. Hell, Indiana didn't complete ONE pass in the entire second half today . . . except in OT. There seem to be lots of bad QBs this year, at least in the BIG.
Yes, but that’s the exception there. Iowa quarterback play is consistently awful from year to year.
 
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TRHawkeye28

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Heck will transfer for sure. Hank would have to play shockingly well the rest of the season to stay QB1 next season, so chances are he’ll be gone, too. Makes perfect sense for JSully and Bess to split time for the rest of season, which is why it won’t happen.
This is where I'm at. Throw Sully or Bessinger out there to see what they got. Even just a few series. It will at least provide some more ammo to make a financial decision to hit the portal or not next year

Wasting time on guys that are gone after this year anyway. If you are hoping for one of the younger guys to compete this spring for a starting spot....then they are good enough to play now. There will be growing pains but no different than the **** we saw today and just average QB play all year. No difference IMO
 

RagnarLothbrok

Heisman
Jun 11, 2025
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Yup. Once KF declares a starter, he is for life (unless serious injury or graduation). Been this way for over a quarter-century. Matters not how good the backups are.
I think the commonly held belief that the backup quarterback is often so much better is a myth. Neither current Iowa quarterback is great. I just don’t understand why Heck has such a short leash but Hank can suck azz and still keep getting trotted out there. Outside of two passes, he was actually worse IMO. Splitting hairs, but still. I think Heck has more upside to move the offense and score points while Hank has a very low ceiling as a game manager.

Either way, it just sucks and I am so tired of garbage quarterback play at Iowa.
 

DuddyB

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I think the commonly held belief that the backup quarterback is often so much better is a myth. Neither current Iowa quarterback is great. I just don’t understand why Heck has such a short leash but Hank can suck azz and still keep getting trotted out there. Outside of two passes, he was actually worse IMO. Splitting hairs, but still. I think Heck has more upside to move the offense and score points while Hank has a very low ceiling as a game manager.

Either way, it just sucks and I am so tired of garbage quarterback play at Iowa.
I’m not in total disagreement that Heck got a shorter leash and frankly on the TD drive that Hank had I was frustrated that Heck didn’t get that drive. But the reality is both QBs have now had the opportunity to take the job and run with it. Neither has taken advantage of said opportunity.
 
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