Getty Image
Cade McNamara and Iowa Hawkeyes had a no good, very bad night against Penn State on Saturday.
The Hawkeyes were shutout 31-0 in the White Out game against the Nittany Lions. They had just 76 total yards and four first downs all night.
McNamara, who transferred from Michigan in the offseason, went 5-of-14 for 42 yards and fumbled twice.
Now, that would be bad enough as is. But unfortunately for McNamara, he was maybe a bit too confident in the offseason.
In his first interview after transferring, McNamara made a point to tell people to continue hating on Iowa’s always-anemic offense, saying that he and his new teammates would use it for motivation.
“Please, just keep saying it’s the s******** offense in college football,” he said on The QB Room podcast. “Please just think we are going to be so s***** next year. Please.”
Welllllllllp.
The Hawkeyes are now averaging just 21.2 points per game through four games this season. That includes a defensive touchdown against rival Iowa State and two games against non-Power 5 programs (Utah State and Western Michigan).
So yes, it appears that Iowa’s offense is, yet again, s*****.
Which would have been funny enough as is. But it’s even funnier knowing that McNamara decided to open his mouth.
It’s also funny knowing that Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is feeling the heat. Feretnz renegotiated his contract after an awful 2022 season. The new deal is incentive laden and pays him significantly more should Iowa average 25 points per game.
As you can, they are well short of that marker so far.
Ferentz is clearly annoyed by his struggling offense. He was seen laying into McNamara after an interception in the first half of last week’s win over Western Michigan.
Now, to be fair, McNamara was playing with one arm tied behind his back. Iowa’s top two running backs missed the contest due to injury. And star tight end Luke Lachey is out for the season with a broken ankle.
But still, 42 yards passing?! Come on, maaaan.