‘Shoot My Shot,’ ‘Performed Extremely Well’ — Jeremy Hecklinski, Kirk Ferentz React After First Career Start Powers Iowa Past Washington

Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes and completed his last 12 throws in his first college start, leading Iowa to a 41-24 win over Washington on Friday night at Husky Stadium. The junior got the call because Hank Brown sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in last week’s 31-14 loss to Ohio State, but his performance lit a rocket under the Hawkeyes offense.

Jeremy Hecklinski Throws Three Touchdowns in First Iowa Start

Hecklinski finished 14-of-19 for 202 yards without an interception, and Kamari Moulton ran for a career-high 208 yards as Iowa improved to 5-1 heading into a bye week.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Hecklinski’s preparation had been strong for a couple of weeks and showed in relief against Ohio State. “Tip of the hat to Jeremy, jumping in there. Next man in, and performed extremely well.”

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Hecklinski pointed to a saying offensive coordinator Tim Lester repeats all the time, that shooters shoot. “I’m going to go out there and shoot my shot every time I can. Nothing to lose.”

Hecklinski became the fourth Iowa quarterback under Ferentz with at least three touchdown passes in his first start, joining Jon Beutjer (2000), Ricky Stanzi (2008), and Nate Stanley (2017). The win was also Iowa’s first regular-season victory on the West Coast since 1965.

Ferentz Calls Hecklinski and Brown Race Really Close

Hecklinski and Brown competed for the job through the preseason and into the season before Brown was named the starter. In appearances against Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa, Hecklinski went a combined 13-for-27 for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Pro Football Network’s grades favored Brown going into Friday. Through Week 5, Brown’s PFN Impact grade of 73.5 ranked 92nd of 165 graded and qualified FBS quarterbacks, and Hecklinski’s PFN Impact grade of 63.2 ranked 153rd.

Against Ohio State, Brown went 12-of-27 for 132 yards with an interception and a lost fumble before leaving in the third quarter. Hecklinski replaced him, completed all five of his passes for 67 yards, and led Iowa’s only touchdown drive.

“Brown didn’t lose his starting job because of his performance against Ohio State,” one fan wrote. “But Hecklinski cannot be taken off the field after showing what this offense can be with a quick/accurate trigger.”

Ferentz said after the game that the race is as close as it was early on. “It’s really close. We’ve got two guys playing well.”

He also said Brown had not regressed and was cleared to play Friday, but that playing him would not have been smart.

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Not everyone was convinced by one game against Washington. Answering a question about why Hecklinski had not started sooner, another fan wrote that it was like “asking why Ryker Fyfe wasn’t the starter after he diced up Maryland in 2016.”

Washington, now 3-3, played most of the night without starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who left late in the first half and did not return. Iowa held the Huskies to minus-3 rushing yards and sacked their quarterbacks six times.

Looking Ahead in Week 8 to Minnesota

Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) is off next week before its Week 8 game at Minnesota on Oct. 24. Des Moines Register columnist Chad Leistikow wrote that he finds it hard to imagine Iowa turning away from Hecklinski, even if Brown is fully recovered by then.

PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives Iowa a 47.7% chance to win at Minnesota and a 6.1% chance to make the playoff, a figure that rises to 11.6% with a win there and falls to 1.1% with a loss.

Hecklinski said the quarterback competition has brought its share of ups and downs. “I just want the Hawks to win. So however, we do it, if the Hawks win, I’m good.”

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.