Both teams will be dealing with quarterback uncertainty when the Iowa Hawkeyes head to Madison, Wis., on Saturday for the annual battle for the Heartland Trophy.
Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten), coming off a bye, lost 20-15 at home to seventh-ranked Indiana two weeks ago. Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2) lost 24-10 at No. 15 Michigan on Saturday as third-string quarterback Hunter Simmons made his first start.
The Hawkeyes have dominated the series in recent years, winning three straight and four of the last five. Iowa pounded the visiting Badgers 42-10 last season. Wisconsin leads the historic series, which dates to 1894, with a record of 49-47-2.
“There’s no doubt that what happened last year is something that’s fresh in the minds of everybody on this team and a part of this program,” said Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell on Monday.
Gronowski has completed 68 of 106 passes for an average of 127.2 yards per game with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Backup Hank Brown completed 5 of 13 passes for 48 yards against Indiana. Jeremy Hecklinski is Iowa’s third option at quarterback.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday that Gronowski was medically cleared to play and was optimistic he would be ready for Wisconsin.
“So far, so good,” Ferentz said. “It’s been encouraging. Certainly, he’s getting some good work in. A week ago, I wasn’t so optimistic, but we’ll just take it as it goes this week.”
The Hawkeyes rank fourth nationally against the run, allowing just 69.4 yards per game. Iowa is 12th in total defense, surrendering 254.2 yards per contest, while averaging 327.4 on offense.
Wisconsin starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from Maryland, suffered a sprained knee in the opening nonconference win over Miami (Ohio). Edwards tried to play in the Big Ten opener against Maryland, but came out after one series and did not play against the Wolverines.
Danny O’Neil, a sophomore transfer from San Diego State, completed 23 of 27 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in his first start, a 42-10 rout of Middle Tennessee. But he proceeded to struggle against Alabama and Maryland.
Simmons, a redshirt senior transfer from Southern Illinois, completed 18 of 29 passes for 177 yards with one interception in the loss to Michigan.
Fickell did not have an update Monday on Edwards’ status, but said Simmons would probably start again if Edwards is unavailable, with O’Neil in the mix.
Wisconsin, which scored just 34 points over its last three losses, is averaging 309.2 yards per game, while allowing 316.6. The Badgers also have been tough against the run, giving up just 75 yards per game, sixth-best in the country.
Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen leads the nation in punt returns at 31.5 yards per return with one touchdown and is second in kickoff returns at 35.5 yards and another score.
