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Iowa Football: Top 10 Quarterbacks of All Time

By Dylan Burn

Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz leads his team to the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcat at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz leads his team to the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcat at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 25, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Ricky Stanzi (2) throws during the first day of training camp at Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Ricky Stanzi (2) throws during the first day of training camp at Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /

N0. 3 – Ricky Stanzi

“If you don’t love it leave it.” Arguably the most memorable thing an Iowa quarterback has ever said after a bowl win.  It’s definitely the most patriotic, as Stanzi is referencing the United States of America when he said it after Iowa’s Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech in 2010.

Since then, Iowa fans have clung to that.  You constantly hear fans saying it at a tailgate in Iowa City on a chilly fall Saturday, heck, there are even t-shirts with the quote on it.  As great as the quote is, that’s not why Stanzi is ranked third.

In his three years as a starter, Stanzi led Iowa to three straight bowl victories and a 28-11 record.  He completed 60% of his passes as a Hawkeye for 7,377 yards.  He tossed 56 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions.  His best year statistically came in 2010 when he ranked second in the conference with 3,004 passing yards.  Stanzi also locked down the second spot in the conference with 25 passing touchdowns.  Those 25 passing touchdowns combined with his two rushing touchdowns, led to him finishing third in total touchdowns with 27 in ’10.

As far as one of my favorite Stanzi moments goes; it was probably the touchdown pass on October 24th, 2009 to lead the 7th ranked Hawkeyes over the Michigan State Spartans on the road.  Iowa was unable to muster up anything but field goals the entire game until the final seconds when Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt on a seven yard slant to give Iowa a 15-13 win in East Lansing.

Two games later, Stanzi went down with an ankle injury in Iowa’s first loss of the season to the Northwestern Wildcats.  That led to Iowa’s second loss to Ohio State inside the horseshoe a week later.  Iowa would finish the season on a high note with that victory over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, though.

All this was enough to land Stanzi as our number three quarterback in our top 10.

Next: Number 2

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