Iowa football: Five observations in win over Rutgers

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 7: Wide receiver Tyrone Tracy #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the second half against linebacker Tyreek Maddox-Williams #9, defensive back Avery Young #2, linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi #3 and defensive back Tim Barrow #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 7, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Nico Ragaini and Tyrone Tracy Jr are not making it easy on the staff

I am just as excited about Oliver Martin as the next Iowa football fan, but I am loving what I am seeing from redshirt freshmen Nico Ragaini and Tyrone Tracy Jr.

They had a few hiccups early in the game with Tracy getting alligator arms going over the middle and dropping a pass and Ragaini not calling for a fair catch on a punt and subsequently getting tackled near the goal line, but their performances today were good, if not great.

What really stood out though was how much the Hawkeyes tried to feed the ball to both of these guys.

Tracy and Ragaini both had 3 receptions but were targeted several times each, especially Ragaini. And they looked good with the ball in their hand.

One play that really impressed me though was the touchdown pass to Tracy where Nate Stanley threw the ball before Tracy broke open. It was a beautiful pass, but the confidence and trust displayed by Stanley speaks volumes to how well Tracy (and Ragaini as well) has been doing.

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