Iowa quarterback Nathan Chandler may not have the numbers some of his predecessors had but when Iowa plays Florida in Thursday’s Outback Bowl he’ll try to become the first Iowa quartberback to win a January Bowl since Randy Duncan in 1959. Chandler took over for Heisman Trophy runner-up Brad Banks and has led an offense that lost four offensive linemen, All-American tight end Dallas Clark and spent much of this season without standout receiver Mo Brown. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was “banking” on Chandler having the poise of a fifth-year senior, and Ferentz says Chandler has displayed good mental toughness and ridden through the ups and the downs. “He’s had some disappointments, as we all have, and his are a little bit more noted than everybody’s elses…but I’ve been impressed with how he’s bounced back from some tough situations,” Ferentz says. Chandler has 17 touchdown passes and he rushed for five more. Perhaps most important, the Hawks finished third in the Big Ten in turover margain. “To me, the bottom line is we won nine football games with him as our quarterback,” Ferentz says. “That puts him in pretty select company.” Chandler knew he would have one shot at being the starter and feels he’s made the most of it. “I was excited about the opportunity,” Chandler says. “I knew we were going to have a good team. We set some high goals…it’s recognized as a team that’s tough and resilient, and I’m proud to be part of that team.”
