Minnesota Football: 3 takeaways from first loss of 2019 at Iowa

2. Nate Stanley was the better quarterback on Saturday

Nate Stanley didn’t need to do much against the Golden Gophers, and he didn’t put up gaudy numbers like Morgan. But when he did decide to throw the ball, or tuck and run, Stanley was incredibly effective. Efficient throwing the ball and smart with his reads, the Iowa quarterback was instrumental in the statement win against Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

Stanley threw the ball just 10 times in the first half, but he completed eight of those throws for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Stanley supplemented that production in the air with three carries for 16 yards, setting up Iowa to build up a two-touchdown lead by the halftime intermission.

Stanley ended the game with 173 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-23 passing. With a few decent scrambles, Stanley mitigated the impact of several sacks to end up barely in the positive in rushing yardage.

Stanley wasn’t the more statistically impressive quarterback, but he was the better field general on Saturday evening in Iowa City. The Golden Gophers walked away with their first loss of the year because of the way Stanley maintained discipline and kept the chains moving. It was the quintessential performance that Kirk Ferentz looks for from his quarterbacks — unassuming yet lethal.