IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — In two seasons as Iowa’s backup quarterback, C.J. Beathard was one of the most popular players on the roster.
Now it’s up to Beathard to live up to outsized expectations.
Beathard, a redshirt junior nicknamed “Sunshine” by his teammates, was promoted to the starting role following a brutal loss to Tennessee in January’s TaxSlayer Bowl.
The move convinced former starter Jake Rudock to leave for Michigan and potentially left Beathard and the Hawkeyes in a tough spot.
If Beathard can’t come through in 2015, it’s tough to see Iowa improving on a tepid 7-6 finish in 2015.
Beathard is the only quarterback with any experience for the Hawkeyes, who open against Illinois State on Sept. 5.
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