Iowa quarterback Drew Tate will miss Saturday’s game with Northern Illinois after injuring the thumb on his non-throwing hand in last weekend’s 20-6 loss at Michigan. Tate underwent surgery earlier today to repair ligament damage.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the repair was very good as far as they know and it’s a matter of the incision healing and they expect Tate back and practicing next Tuesday.
Ferentz says surgery now was a better option than waiting until the season was over. He says being injured is the worst thing for any player as they want to play and he says players feel like they’re on the outside looking in. Ferentz says Tate has handled the situation well and they will move on.
Ferentz says Tate should be ready for Iowa’s game against Northwestern on November fourth. Ferentz says if there wasn’t a concern about infection in the incision, then Tate could probably play this week. Ferentz says they hope to have a decision made on a starter by Thursday. It will be either senior Jason Manson and red-shirt freshman Jake Christensen.
Ferentz says they mull it over during the week. He says both could play against Northern Illinois. Ferentz says practice is important for any player and until they hit the field, you don’t know how they will do.
It would be Manson’s second start this season. He led the Hawkeyes to an overtime victory at Syracuse. Ferentz says everyone would be happy for any success Manson has as Ferentz says Manson’s extremely respected by the team.
The Hawkeyes are 5-3.