Iowa's Tim Lester says Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski will both play this season

Iowa does not have a starting quarterback for the second half of the season yet. Offensive coordinator Tim Lester said Tuesday that he expects both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski to play meaningful snaps the rest of the way.

Lester spoke to reporters during the bye week, and On3's Hawkeye Report published his full remarks. He said the staff hasn't talked yet about who will get what he called the "first at-bat." He doesn't need an answer this week, and Brown is still working his way back to full health.

Brown opened the season as the starter. Lester praised his two-minute drill at Michigan. Brown was hurt at Ohio State, and Hecklinski came in to finish that game. Hecklinski then started last Friday's win over Washington, where he completed his last 12 passes. Brown was back at practice Tuesday, throwing on a limited basis. Lester said it was good to see the ball coming out of his hand again. He also gave Brown credit for doing all he could to be available as an emergency option against Washington.

Lester explained how he will decide. He grades every run and pass decision for both players and gives each one a percentage based on whether the quarterback was thinking the right way. He said throws to wide-open receivers can be harder than they look. He also said Brown got too aggressive late against Ohio State, which Lester called a first for him, though he added that Brown was facing a very good defense and took a lot of hits. Lester said Hecklinski still has a couple of run checks to clean up, and that he fixed them in the second half against Washington.

Lester pushed back on the idea that the running game improved against Washington because Hecklinski was willing to throw downfield. He said he didn't call the game differently. The only change was running a few plays out of the shotgun instead of under center because Hecklinski prefers it.

He pointed to the San Francisco 49ers as a model. Several quarterbacks have won games there in the same system, and that's what he wants to build at Iowa. He said the two quarterbacks have nearly the same completion percentage. He also said Hecklinski showed the right attitude after the Washington game by saying that if Iowa wins, he's happy.

Iowa is 5-1 at the halfway point. Lester said his play calls have been close to even, with 191 runs and 179 passes. The Hawkeyes have about 1,200 yards each rushing and passing. In roughly 180 pass attempts, they've thrown two interceptions and allowed five sacks.

The third-string quarterback, Jimmy, is taking most of the first reps this week while the staff works on developing the younger players. Lester did not have an update on LJ Phillips, who left the Washington game hurt. He said he thinks Phillips will be fine.

Iowa has a week to watch film from all six games before deciding who takes the first snap when the second half begins.