Stanzi Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

Oct. 18, 2010

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi has been named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 38-28 win at Michigan last Saturday. The announcement was made by the Big Ten office today.

Stanzi, a 6-4, 230-pounder from Mentor, OH, gained the league honor for the first time in his career. He threw three touchdown passes (14, 31 and 19 yards) before the biggest crowd an Iowa team has ever played in front of. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 248 yards and no interceptions. He led Iowa to touchdowns in four of five trips to the red zone. The 38 points are also the most Iowa has ever scored against Michigan.

He is now 23-5 as Iowa’s starting quarterback and has thrown a touchdown pass in each of his last 15 games. He is third in the nation in quarterback efficiency with a 180.5 rating.

Stanzi is the fourth Iowa player to earn the weekly league honor this year. Earlier this season running back Paki O’Meara won the special team award for his play against Eastern Illinois, defensive tackle Mike Daniels won the defensive honor against Ball State and defensive end Adrian Clayborn was named defensive player of the week for his play against Penn State.

Iowa had eight players named Big Ten Players of the Week last year (four on defense, one offense and three special teams). Iowa’s last offensive winner, coincidentally, came against Michigan last year as tight end Tony Moeaki won the honor.

The UI also learned Monday that its game on Oct. 30 against Michigan State will kick off shortly after 2:30 p.m. Iowa time inside historic Kinnick Stadium and will be televised live by ABC and by ESPN in locations where the game is not on ABC. The Iowa-Michigan State game is Iowa’s fifth annual “Blackout Saturday” event. The Hawkeyes’ game this Saturday against Wisconsin at Kinnick will also begin shortly after 2:30 p.m. and will be televised by ABC/ESPN>.