After entering the 2008 season as the back-up Rick Stanzi gets ready for this season as the established starter at quarterback. The junior passed for nearly two thousand yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago and became the full time starter at the start of conference play.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the feel good about Stanzi and his development, as last year he was just trying to play. The experience Stanzi gained last year should help him this season. Ferentz says the exciting thing is that Stanzi can get a lot better.
Stanzi says he is not approaching this season any differently. He says the only difference is that he has more responsibility, but he is still competing for a job. The Hawks ended last season with a four game winning streak but Stanzi that momentum won’t automatically translate to this season.
He says they have their own expectations for the team and last year doesn’t matter for this season. Stanzi says the seniors did a good job of leading last year, and they will have to pick up that leadership this year to have a good year. Iowa opens September fifth at home against U.N.I.