Sept. 1, 2015
- 2015 UI Football Fall Camp Central
- Read the June issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone/iPad app
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye android app
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
By JAMES ALLAN
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — For the past two seasons it was Rudock-Beathard, Beathard-Rudock. On Saturday, it’s junior C.J. Beathard’s time to take center stage.
Beathard takes the reins as the University of Iowa’s starting quarterback when the Hawkeyes square off against Illinois State at 11 a.m. (CT) in their season opener inside Kinnick Stadium.
“I am excited to see C.J. play…” said senior wide receiver Tevaun Smith. “…and to finally be that guy. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do because he has been making a lot of plays throughout fall camp.”
The start will be the second of Beathard’s career. He led Iowa to a 24-10 road victory at Purdue last season, filling in for an injured Jake Rudock. Beathard finished 17-of-37 for 245 yards with one touchdown and rushed eight times for 29 yards.
|
“Those years have prepared me for this moment and opportunity. I am excited about this season more than any other… all of us are. We’re excited to get underway and show people what we can do.”
UI junior C.J. Beathard
|
That start was 339 days ago. A lot has happened since Sept. 27, 2014.
Beathard’s name was listed atop the depth chart in January, Rudock transferred. Now Beathard is the unquestioned starting quarterback — and the only signal caller on the Iowa roster with game experience.
Since being elevated to the starter, Beathard has developed into and taken to being a leader, and his teammates are following.
“It feels like he has been the starter with his leadership, and by the way he has been practicing throughout camp,” said Smith.
It’s a different feeling for Beathard, but one he has been preparing for. It is the opportunity he has been waiting for since completing his redshirt season in 2012.
“It is a little different (being the starter this year), but each year is different,” said Beathard. “I have wanted to play since my redshirt year, but that wasn’t the case. I learned the couple of years after that and will continue to learn.
“Those years have prepared me for this moment and opportunity. I am excited about this season more than any other… all of us are. We’re excited to get underway and show people what we can do.”
Saturday’s season opener against Illinois State provides a Beathard-family twist. C.J.’s uncle, Kurt, is in his first season as offensive coordinator for the Redbirds.
The two spent time together at Beathard’s home this summer in Tennessee before the start of Iowa’s fall camp. There wasn’t talk of Saturday’s encounter or any back-and-forth banter.
“(Having my uncle on the staff) doesn’t make any difference of how bad we want to beat them,” said Beathard. “We want to beat them because they’re our next opponent. My uncle and I are competitive people, and we have a good relationship, but we’re going out to beat them.
“Illinois State is a good football team. They’re well-coached and have good players. We have to go out and play our game, convert when we need to convert, and do our best (to win this game).”
