Question of the Week: Can the Hawkeyes win their last two gmes without Stanzi?

By DUANE NOLLEN

OSKALOOSA — By a more than 3-1 ratio, those readers who answered this past week’s Question of the Week: Are you going to be more sales conscious this holiday shopping season? answered YES.

Forty-four — 78.57 percent — answered YES while 12 — 21.43 percent — said NO.

The Question of the Week poll is not scientific and only reflects the opinions of those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The Question of the Week is just another way the Herald’s readers can voice their opinions about issues that affect them.

This week’s Question of the Week deals with the loss of Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi and what it means for the Hawkeyes.

The Iowa Hawkeyes suffered their first loss of the season Saturday at the hands of the Northwestern Wildcats. One of the big factors in the game came in the second quarter when Stanzi was sacked in the Hawkeyes’ end zone. He twisted his ankle and fumbled — leading to a Northwestern touchdown.

Stanzi was done for the day — watching the game from the sidelines while sporting crutches and a boot — and red-shirt freshman James Vandenberg filled in.

During the second half, the Hawkeyes could not generate enough offense to score points and Northwestern won 17-10.

Stanzi has been much maligned in the press since he has thrown double-digit interceptions this year. However, he can bounce back from an interception and throw a touchdown strike the next series. When the going gets tough — such as leading the winning scoring drive against Michigan State as time expires or throwing four interceptions in the third quarter against Indiana and then throwing two fourth-quarter touchdowns — Stanzi has no weak nerve.

There are two games left, and with an injured ankle, Stanzi will not likely play. Can the Hawkeyes still win out and go to the Rose Bowl, or will the whiff of roses the Hawkeyes have been smelling the past couple of weeks vanish?

What do you think?

This week’s Question of the Week: Can the Hawkeyes win their last two games without Stanzi?

People can vote on The Herald’s Web site, oskaloosa.com, from Monday through noon on Friday. Then, votes will be tallied and published the following Monday.

Text Only