FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Greg Davis, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Iowa, told reporters asking whether junior Jake Rudock and sophomore C.J. Beathard will play on Friday with one word: both.
Davis said the two Hawkeyes QBs will play least in the first and second quarters of TaxSlayer Bowl against Tennessee. A starter has not been announced publicly, and Davis said that decision will be made by head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Rudock has a 14-10 record as a starter and has started seven consecutive games. In Beathard's lone start on Sept. 27, the Hawkeyes won at Purdue, 24-10.
"We have had great competition since we started back at the bowl prep," Davis told HawkeyeSports.com after practice at Fernandina Beach High School. "They both have done a good job. They are both going to play in the bowl game. In terms of who is going to start, Kirk can make that call. They know the way we're going to do it."
This season Rudock has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for an average of 218.5 yards per game. He has thrown 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. Against Purdue, Beathard was 17-of-37 for 245 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. In eight games this season he has completed 56.6 percent of his passes for an average of 62.5 yards per game. He has thrown three touchdowns and one interception.
"We're pleased with the way both of them have responded and we expect both of them to play and play well," Davis said.
Iowa (7-5 overall) has out-gained five of its last six opponents and the Hawkeyes have gained more than 400 yards eight times this season. Davis said the team's offensive continuity will not be affected, regardless of what quarterback is in the game.
"You can make a case for both guys, there is no doubt about it. We're not interested in making a case, we're interested in winning another ball game and we felt like this gave us the best chance. Competition is good and they have both practiced extremely well while we were here and back in Iowa City."
Measured against other Big Ten Conference teams, Iowa finished fourth in passing offense (242 yards per game) and pass efficiency (134.1), sixth in total offense (398.3 yards per game) and seventh in scoring offense (28.2 points per game). The Hawkeyes scored at least 30 points in half their games.
Tennessee (6-6) allowed an average of 359.9 yards in 12 games -- 197.8 through the air and 162.1 on the ground. Freshman defensive end Derek Barnett has 20 ½ tackles for loss and 10 sacks, junior linebacker/defensive lineman Curt Maggitt has 14 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Quarterback isn't the only offensive position that will utilize multiple Hawkeyes. Davis said all running backs except senior Damon Bullock will be available.
The Hawkeyes are 6-5 in 11 previous bowl games under Ferentz -- the most wins and best winning percentage of any program in the Big Ten since 2001.