Ex-QB Beathard Leads Iowa as Honorary Captain

No. 21 Iowa is set to host Iowa State at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium for the 2026 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. Ahead of the game, the Hawkeyes announced that former quarterback C.J. Beathard will serve as the team's honorary captain. Beathard, a four-year letterwinner from 2013 to 2016, was a significant leader during a successful period for the program. He achieved a 21-7 record as a starter, notably being the only quarterback in school history to win his first 13 career starts.

During his junior season, Beathard guided Iowa to a memorable 12-0 regular-season record, securing a Big Ten West title and a spot in the Big Ten Championship game, culminating in an appearance in the 2016 Rose Bowl. His Hawkeye career concluded with 5,562 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns, ranking seventh in school history. After his collegiate career, Beathard was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and played for multiple NFL teams.

As honorary captain, Beathard will be present with the team, accompanying the Iowa captains to the coin toss at midfield and joining the locker room before and after the game. The highly anticipated matchup between Iowa and Iowa State is scheduled for a 6:36 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast on NBC.