Iowa football: Three Hawkeyes collect game balls in win over Indiana

Nate Stanley

Giving out a game ball for the Indiana game and not giving one to Nate Stanley would be atrocious. He was truly on fire Saturday carving the Indiana Hoosier defense like a Thanksgiving turkey.

His final stat line read 21 of 33 for 320 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception. While his stat line was pretty impressive, but honestly impressed me the most was his pocket presence and ability to evade defenders on a consistent basis Saturday.

He was consistently harassed in the second half of Saturday’s game, but only let the Hoosiers sack him once. Moreover, it wasn’t just him tossing the ball away with defenders draped on him, rather he was managing to somehow get the ball to his Iowa football teammates.

I can honestly say I don’t remember an Iowa football quarterback doing what Stanley did Saturday. I was flabbergasted. The announcers were making multiple references to Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It was that impressive.

If you did miss the game and feel like seeing each of Nate Stanley’s touchdown passes, the Iowa Hawkeyes official account posted a nice cut up of each pass. Pay specific attention to the third touchdown pass to Nick Easley.

Over the last 24 hours, Stanley has picked up two weekly award from his great showing Saturday. He was named Walter Camp FBS Offensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

If he keeps playing like he has, the Iowa football team could be in for a magical season this year.