Dear Old Gold
Fansided

Iowa football: Hawkeyes’ five biggest storylines of 2019

By Andrew Wade

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 27: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes directs the offence against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 27: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes directs the offence against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Storyline #3: Can Nate Stanley cement his legacy?

This is a touchy subject depending on who you ask. Some love what Nate Stanley has done over the course of his two seasons as a starter for the Iowa football team while others hold him to incredibly high expectations citing his accuracy and appeared lack of clutchness as key concerns.

I’m here to tell you the accuracy concerns are warranted as advanced analytics is not a fan of Stanley’s ability to throw the deep ball or his ability to be accurate in general. The clutch play, however, seems to be a false concern. While he has yet to lead that career-defining drive for the Iowa football team, he does grade out well when it comes to making high-pressure throws and for his performances on 3rd and 4th downs.

But what people don’t always realize is that Stanley has a chance to go down as one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the program. He’s already 2-0 in bowl games and a 3rd win would put him in a small category of players that includes Ricky Stanzi.

Statistically speaking, Stanley is knocking on the door of several of Chuck Longs records including touchdowns and passing yards.

If he maintains the status quo statistically, he will etch his name in the record books, and if he is able to lead the Hawkeyes to a big-time bowl and win, it will be tough to not consider him one of the best Iowa has ever had.

This will be a huge storyline that could develop if the Hawkeyes get off to a hot start.

Home/Iowa Football