Iowa football: Studs and duds from week 5 victory over MTSU

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive back Dane Belton #4 and linebacker Barrington Wade #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes combine for a tackle during the second half on running back Jayy McDonald #21 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 28, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive back Dane Belton #4 and linebacker Barrington Wade #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes combine for a tackle during the second half on running back Jayy McDonald #21 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 28, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Brandon Smith #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a touchdown catch during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 28, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Brandon Smith #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a touchdown catch during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 28, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

Stud: Brandon Smith

Wide receiver Brandon Smith was a man among boys Saturday afternoon against Middle Tennessee State putting together arguably the finest performance of his three-year career with the Iowa football program.

He hauled in six receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns on the day while being blanketed overtop by Middle Tennessee State’s top defensive back and preseason All-Conference USA player Reed Blankenship.

For a player with so much potential, we are now starting to finally see it come to fruition. The two touchdowns yesterday were just as many as Smith had all of last year, and his six catches represent over 20% of his career catches coming into 2019.

We’ve spoken a lot about how deep and talented the wide receiver group is for the Iowa football team, but we shouldn’t forget how talented this team is at the number one and two spot as well because Smith is a stud.