Iowa football: Three areas that need improvement after win over ISU
By Andrew Wade
Nate Stanley
I hate having to harp on a kid who is doing everything he can, but it just doesn’t seem like Iowa’s quarterback Nate Stanley took the leap from last seasons great sophomore year. Usually this can be blamed on the weapons around when it comes to Iowa quarterbacks, but he has arguably the best skill position players Iowa has had in some time.
Through two games this year, Stanley is completing just 52.9% of his passes for less than 300 yards. He did improve Saturday, but not to the extent that the Hawkeyes need if they want to make a sleeper run for a big bowl game this season. At the conclusion of Saturday’s contest, Stanley had thrown for 166 yards and no touchdowns.
He let the team squander away great field position a few times, and ultimately only was able to lead the team on one touchdown drive. If you watch closely, however, the ball was essentially taken out of Stanley’s hands throughout the drive. The Iowa football team went back to the ground and pound for the touchdown drive.
Related Story. Is Stanley destined to be another disappointing Hawkeye QB?. light
The biggest concern I have with Stanley’s performance for the Iowa football program this Saturday was accuracy and mental errors.
I think Stanley lost track of the playclock on that delay of game before the first drive. It mattered. Drive died on a third-and-4.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) September 8, 2018
Nick Easley, last’s year leading wide receiver, for example, was targeted four times. Only one was remotely catchable (which he did catch might I add). Others were noticing these issues too throughout the game.
Nate Stanley has gotta connect on that pass. Nick Easley was wide open.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) September 8, 2018
Another poor ball placement by QB4 to TE87 on the PA over look, wide open and TE87 did a great job just to come up with it. Like the 11 IZ vs ISU 3-3-5 look, Iowa gets 4 on that look, dangerous throw on PA speed post to WR14 on 2nd & 6
— Hawkeye Gamefilm (@hawkeyegamefilm) September 8, 2018
It’s obvious that the Iowa Hawkeyes love Nate Stanley and why not? He has so much potential. I just hope he can show more improvement from week two to week three than he did from week one. If he can’t, the Hawkeyes could be in a world of hurt against conference titan, the Wisconsin Badgers in two weeks.