Iowa QB Stanzi doubtful for final 2 games

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says junior quarterback Ricky Stanzi has had surgery to repair a severely sprained ankle and is "very doubtful" for Iowa's final two regular season games.

Stanzi injured his right ankle in the second quarter of No. 15 Iowa's 17-10 loss to Northwestern last weekend and did not return.

Ferentz says redshirt freshman James Vandenberg is now the No. 1 quarterback for the Hawkeyes (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten). He will make his first career start Saturday at No. 10 Ohio State (8-2, 5-1).

Vandenberg was 9 of 27 passing for 82 yards and an interception against Northwestern.

Stanzi started all 10 games this season, throwing for 2,186 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Ferentz says that he believes Stanzi has a good chance to play in a bowl game.