Iowa football: Five observations in crazy win over Cyclones

By Andrew Wade | Sep 15, 2019

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 14: Defensive back Greg Eisworth #12 of the Iowa State Cyclones sacks quarterback Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes as he scrambled for yards in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver Nico Ragaini #89 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes for yards as defensive back Lawrence White #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Nico Ragaini is making a claim for the third spot

I keep hearing people ask where Oliver Martin is, and the answer is simple, he’ll play if he could beat out Nico Ragaini, but so far, that hasn’t happened.

Ragaini is looking like the next great Iowa slot receiver, and he is quickly becoming one of Nate Stanley’s favorite and most reliable targets.

Through three games, the redshirt freshman is tied for second on the team with nine receptions and claims second outright in receiving yards.

The stats show one story, but just watching the game, you can see why these stats are made possible. Ragaini has great hands, is a smooth and crisp route runner and when operating against a zone, he knows how to get open and find the hole which he did on a key third-down play early in the game against Iowa State.

After a quarter of the season, it looks like Ragaini is the number three wide receiver.

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