Star players sit out as Iowa battles No. 19 Missouri in Music City Bowl | National

Like every team in the postseason, Iowa suffered raids in the transfer portal or during NFL Draft preparations, such as star running back Kaleb Johnson deciding to turn pro.

But the Hawkeyes (8-4) got quarterback Brendan Sullivan back from injury for their Music City Bowl game against No. 19 Missouri (9-3) on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sullivan hasn’t played since suffering a sprained ankle in a 20-17 loss to UCLA on Nov. 8.

“He feels completely confident,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “The injury is now a thing of the past, it is over. I’m only caught up because he was missing there for a few weeks. It was a good time for him to get some work.”

Sullivan, who became the starter after Cade McNamara suffered a concussion against Northwestern, has completed 24 of 35 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns.

He will be joined by Jackson Stratton, who led the Hawkeyes to wins over Maryland and Nebraska while both McNamara and Sullivan were injured. McNamara then entered the transfer portal.

Running backs Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson are expected to play in Johnson’s absence. Moulton ran for 377 yards and two touchdowns on 70 carries this season, while Patterson rushed for 235 yards on 54 carries.

The Hawkeyes of the Big Ten earned this bowl invitation by winning four of their last five games. “We were floundering a little bit in the middle of the season,” Ferentz said. “The boys came back and really strengthened themselves.”

Missouri’s offense will be missing several contributors. Wide receiver Luther Burden III left the game to prepare for the NFL draft, while tight end Brett Norfleet and receiver Mookie Cooper underwent season-ending surgery.

But quarterback Brady Cook will be healthier after suffering a severe ankle sprain and hand injury this season. The latter injury occurred against Southeastern Conference opponent Alabama and caused him to sit out against Oklahoma. He completed 183 of 289 passes for 2,248 yards and nine touchdowns against two interceptions.

Cook also ran for 169 yards and five touchdowns. With Burden gone, receiver Theo Wease Jr. (55 catches, 809 yards, three touchdowns) will be even more important to the passing attack.

“They have some experienced players that really count,” Ferentz said. “The quarterback is an outstanding player.”

Running backs Nate Noel (804 yards, three touchdowns on 157 carries), Marcus Carroll (578 yards, 12 touchdowns on 134 carries) and Jamal Roberts (214 yards, three touchdowns on 52 carries) lead a ground game that is back in full swing strength is.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz expects Iowa to pose a major defensive challenge under coordinator Phil Parker.

“Their defensive coordinator, we joked, he’s been there since 1998, which is older than most of our team, most of our players,” Drinkwitz said. “(Parker) runs the same system, very disciplined, very, very detailed on the defensive side of the ball.”

In the chaotic college football landscape, Iowa has maintained an enduring identity. Since 2001, the Hawkeyes have failed to receive a bowl game invitation only twice.

“Coach Ferentz, I have a lot of respect for him and what he has done with the Hawkeye program,” Drinkwitz said. “I think he’s been a head coach for 26 years. A model example of consistency and development. He does an excellent job of player identification and development.”

This game gained a little more spice when, leading up to that bowl game, Missouri beat Iowa for Penn State transfer quarterback Beau Pribula.

–Field level media