Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz will reportedly open the season by sitting out the Hawkeyes’ first game.

Scott Dochterman of the Athletic reports that Ferentz and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr will be suspended one game for a recruiting violation connected to the pursuit of quarterback Cade McNamara in 2022.  Dochterman cites a source who has been briefed on the violation in his report.  It is reported that it’s related to an NCAA investigation about contact with McNamara before the transfer portal had opened that year. It’s not clear if the suspension is being handed down by Iowa or the NCAA.

McNamara committed to Iowa on December 1, 2022 after four years at the University of Michigan – helping lead the Wolverines to the 2021 Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff berth.

Ferentz will be made available to the media at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.