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Iowa football: Nate Stanley’s struggles out there for all to see, even the NFL
By Tom Brew
Published:
Say what you want about the Mel Kipers and Todd McShays of the world, but when it comes to evaluating talent for the NFL Draft, they’re usually spot on. Sure, their opinions are off now and then — I’ll blame that more on the player than the evaluator — but there’s no question they put in the work.
McShay, who also can be found on a college football sideline every Saturday as a reporter outside of his draft coverage, was at Penn State Saturday for Iowa’s game there. He had his share of opinions on Hawkeyes quarterback Nate Stanley.
Mostly good … and then mostly bad.
Start with the good, pregame: “He’s one of the more underrated quarterbacks in all of college football,” McShay said of Stanley. “I’ve had him as one of the top three quarterback prospects for the 2019 draft since the start of the season.”
Really? OK.
And then, during Stanley’s ugly performance Saturday that included two interceptions and a hand full of overthrows: “He’s missing middle-school throws. For a guy I think could play at the next level … today has been one of his worst passing performances that I’ve seen in 21 starts.”
Really? Yeah, that’s probably about right. In fact, it’s probably more right.
Stanley had a rough day in the 30-24 loss to the Nittany Lions. He completed just 18 of 49 passes, a paltry 36.7 percent. It was the second-worst performance as a started, topped only by last year’s disaster against Wisconsin, when he completed only 8 of 24 passes.
Stanley had some big misses. Leading 14-7 in the second quarter, tight end T.J. Hockenson was wide open downfield, but Stanley overthrew him by a good 5 yards. It was one play that was the difference between winning and losing.
“We lost by six. And that’s seven points right there,” Stanley said afterward. “Definitely tough.”
But it wasn’t the only play. He missed Nick Easley on a second-half throw that could have been a touchdown. He missed Kyle Groeneweg in the end zone on the final drive, and then threw an interception three plays later to end the game.
It was all tough to swallow.
“No matter the situation, no matter the environment, just fall back on your fundamentals,” Stanley said. “Do everything you can to play calm. Be collected the whole game and not let the situation kind of dictate how your emotions should be.”
Some of the fourth quarter sloppiness could be blamed on a thumb injury he got when he hit his hand on a helmet after a throw. He was in pain and uncomfortable, and it showed.
And now, all those who criticized him are sure hoping he’s ready to go this Saturday in the huge showdown at Purdue. It’s a must-win for both teams in the Big Ten West, and the Hawkeyes need Stanley at his best to win.
Stanley kept his right hand in his sweatshirt pocket throughout all of Tuesday’s media availability.
“I’m just going with the flow,” Stanley responded with a smile, when asked why he hadn’t shown his right hand. “I don’t know.”
Stanley practiced Tuesday. Asked if he could play Saturday, he said: “That’s the goal. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
And how did Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz weigh in when asked if Stanley would start?
“I hope so,” he said.
And Stanley’s thumb?
“Fine. He’s fine. He threw the ball well (Tuesday). I think he’s good to go.”
Stanley has shook off bad games before, so hopefully there will be more of it. He struggled out of the box earlier this year, but then got hot in throwing for more than 300 yards against Northern Iowa, Indiana and Minnesota.
Four games to go, with a division title still on the line, Stanley needs to step it up. Hopefully the thumb isn’t an issue.
There’s no room for any more issues.
Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.