All-America linebacker Jay Higgins has ’tissue problem,’ says Kirk Ferentz

PASADENA, Calif. – Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan suffered an ankle sprain during Iowa’s 20-17 loss to UCLA on Friday, head coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game.

“So hopefully we’ll know more next week,” Ferentz said.

Sullivan’s injury, along with the previous injuries to Cade McNamara and Marco Lainez, meant the Hawkeyes essentially had to rely on fourth-string quarterback Jackson Stratton with the game on the line.

Ferentz said Stratton has “done a great job,” especially considering his lack of practice opportunities over the past two months.

“He was allowed to run the offense in August, but he’s really been on the scout team since the beginning of the season,” Ferentz said of the walk-on who came from Colorado State.

Sullivan already wasn’t having his best game before the injury: He went 6-for-9 for 157 passing yards while turning the ball over three times — two interceptions and one lost fumble.

“Both teams did a poor job of protecting the football,” Ferentz said.

Iowa still has 15 days before its next game for McNamara and Sullivan to recover from their respective injuries. (Lainez’s hand injury from last month required surgery, so the bye week likely won’t be as impactful on his recovery.)

McNamara — unlike some of Iowa’s other players who were out such as tight end Addison Ostrenga and wide receiver Reece Vander Zee — did not make the trip with the team to Pasadena.

“Cade was able to put in some effort at the end of the week, which is encouraging,” Ferentz said.

Other injuries

Ostrenga has a “realistic opportunity” to play Maryland on Nov. 23, Ferentz said. Vander Zee’s status has “a little bit more gray area.”

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jay Higgins has a “tissue problem.”

“He tried to go back in,” Ferentz said. “When I saw him come off the field after that possession, I couldn’t imagine him making another pass. So hopefully it’s not too bad.”

Jaden Harrell took over from the All-American at middle linebacker and had two tackles and one quarterback rush.

“Jaden Harrell came in, he stepped up and made some big plays for us,” fellow linebacker Nick Jackson said. “So we kept the ball rolling. But it’s clearly Jay Higgins. Of course you’re going to miss him.”

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