Stanzi Is Honorary Captain For Saturday's Game
The 2009 Iowa team that won 11 games, including the Orange Bowl, will be honored at the Hawkeyes' game with Penn State on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
So it was no surprise that the quarterback of that team, Ricky Stanzi, was named the honorary captain for the game.
Stanzi was a three-year letterwinner (for the Hawkeyes, starting at quarterback in 35 games in his final three seasons. He posted a 26-9 record as Iowa’s starting quarterback, including a 10-1 record in 2009.
The Hawkeyes won their first nine games in 2009 before Stanzi was injured in the first half of a loss to Northwestern. After missing the final two games of the regular season, Stanzi returned to lead Iowa’s 24-14 win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
Stanzi is the only Iowa quarterback to lead his team to three bowl wins — the 2009 Outback Bowl over South Carolina, the Orange Bowl, and the 2010 Insight Bowl over Missouri.
Stanzi went 3-0 in his career against Penn State.
Stanzi ranks third at Iowa in career passing yards (7,377) and total offense (7,373) and is fourth in touchdown passes (56), having recently been passed by current quarterback Nate Stanley. As a senior, Stanzi set an Iowa single-season record for passing efficiency (157.63). He set Iowa’s record with a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive games.
Stanzi was one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards. He was selected for the Senior Bowl following the 2010 season.
Stanzi was drafted by Kansas City in the fifth round of the NFL Draft and was in the NFL for five seasons.
Stanzi will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Saturday’s pre-game coin toss. He will be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.
