Iowa Football: Nathan Stanley efficient in clean win over Miami (OH)

Iowa football’s defense looked dominant in a 38-14 win against the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Kinnick Stadium. Here are some takeaways from the game.

Coming into the season, Iowa was looked at as a contender to win the Big Ten West and the Hawkeyes got out to a strong start with a 38-14 win over Miami (OH).

No, it’s not the kind of game that opens eyes like a 79-7 win by Penn State over Idaho, but it’s a win nonetheless. Nathan Stanley had a strong showing and the Hawkeyes begin the season 1-0 and looking to gain momentum.

Here are some quick thoughts from the win.

1. Nathan Stanley was efficient

The Hawkeyes’ senior quarterback looked comfortable and in command of the offense completing 70 percent of his passes (21-for-30) for 252 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Hawkeyes to a comfortable win. Although the Hawkeyes didn’t put up 79 points like their Big Ten counterpart, the game was never in doubt.

Nate Stanley was sharp the entire game going through his progressions, finding the high percentage throw and making sure the ball was “on time” to his receivers. What head coach Kirk Ferentz will like when he puts on the tape this week is that Stanley wasn’t streaky, he was smooth the entire game.

2. The defense was… proficient

One turnover people don’t talk about as much as they should are punts. A defense does its job when the opposing team doesn’t score. There won’t be interceptions, fumble recoveries or sacks every drive for a defense, but if it’s consistently getting off the field, it’s doing its job. Such was the case for the Hawkeyes on Saturday.

All-American AJ Epenesa was quiet all night (one tackle and two assists) because he got all the attention tonight from the RedHawks’ blocking schemes, and the Hawkeyes had only one sack and one turnover, but Miami (OH) couldn’t sustain long drives. When the RedHawks got behind schedule, they punted — that’s all you want on defense.

3. No major injuries

Anytime you play a Group of Five school that you should beat, there is nothing worse than getting key guys hurt. That didn’t happen tonight for the Hawkeyes. Nathan Stanley, Mekhi Sargent, AJ Epenesa and their secondary came away from the game unscathed.