Nate Stanley
Before you get all upset, I think Nate Stanley generally played outstanding against Wisconsin. Had Iowa been able to pull of this win, it would have been one of Stanley’s finest as a Hawkeye. For the first three quarters of the game (aside from a dumb delay of game penalty in the first), Stanley looked like the quarterback we all thought he would be after his breakout season last year.
The reason why Stanley is on this list though is because in the fourth quarter when the Hawkeyes needed to make a play to either build on their lead or to come back, Stanley couldn’t get it done.
There were a few missed throws, throws lacking touch, and the game-ending interception, all in the fourth quarter that caused Stanley to make this list. I’ll admit that Wisconsin was starting to bring some heat in the fourth, but in that situation, it was an opportunity for Nate Stanley to make a statement, and he didn’t.
Quick 3 and out for Iowa O there, play was def there on 1st down, just a sailed throw. Iowa D has been getting stops by an eyelash the last couple of series, need another big one here w/WISC in good field position
— Hawkeye Gamefilm (@hawkeyegamefilm) September 23, 2018
The two biggest mistakes came on the final two drives. The first of which, Stanley overthrew a wide-open TJ Hockenson for what would have been an easy first down. The second came in the final minute where Stanley unnecessarily fired a ball into Ihmir Smith-Marsette and it bounced out of his hands. In that moment, a touch throw could have been the difference for an Iowa football team continuing it’s drive down the field and ultimately what did happen, a Wisconsin interception.
Iowa had the perfect play call on vs blitz and just wasted it. Stanley buzzed the very short throw and goes off ISM's hands for an easy tipped INT. Softer throw & that's an easy 1st down and drive continues. Rough way to lose a game
— Hawkeye Gamefilm (@hawkeyegamefilm) September 23, 2018
Like I said, Nate Stanley had a heck of a game, but there are still some big areas for improvement in his game.