Quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski will start his second straight game for Iowa on Saturday when the No. 15 Hawkeyes visit Big Ten rival Minnesota, coach Kirk Ferentz announced Tuesday.
Hank Brown, who started the first five games of the season for Iowa before injuring his throwing shoulder in a loss to Ohio State on Oct. 4, is "perfectly healthy," Ferentz said, but the coach chose to stick with Hecklinski, who played well in last week's win over Washington.
Ferentz said he believes starting Hecklinski is what's best for the team coming off its bye week.
"You can build a case for both players, because they're both really good guys, they're really good quarterbacks, and we've seen our team have success with both guys," Ferentz said. "This given point, we feel it's the best thing to move forward, but we really have confidence that we have two good players there."
Hecklinski, making his first career start against Washington, threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the 41-24 victory over the Huskies in Seattle.
Brown sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in the second half of Iowa's setback against the Buckeyes. He has 832 passing yards with five touchdowns and an interception on the season.
Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) and Minnesota (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) will battle for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy. The Gophers lead the all-time series 63-54-2, though the Hawkeyes have dominated the rivalry of late, winning 10 of the past 11 meetings.
Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
