7 Days Until Iowa Football: Colten Rastetter and Spencer Petras

When I rolled out of bed this morning opened up my computer it hit me... FOOTBALL IS BACK! I immediately turned on ESPN and saw referee Donald Duck and cheerleader Daisy Duck with Corso in between talking about how difficult it is to win back to back championships (and already spitting fire that Clemson WILL NOT win the natty this year) and I immediately felt faint.

Week 0 is here... which means, Iowa football is only 7 more days away.

God Bless Saturday.

Colton Rastetter — Senior

Guttenberg, IA (Clayton Ridge)

6’1”, 213 lbs

2019 Projection: Back-Up Punter

Not going to lie to you all, I was a little shocked at the punter depth chart news yesterday that Michael Sleep-Dalton took over the top spot over Rastetter. I just assumed that that Kirk Ferentz and company genuinely trust what they know over what they don’t. But the big leg of MSD makes it hard to stick to your ways.

Look, we all know the deal on Rastetter at this point. For everything he is and is not, I don’t believe that he’s going to spend the season riding the bench. As we discussed this week on the SpoCo Radio Podcast this past Thursday, don’t be surprised if Ferentz decided to put in Rastetter in certain situations when Iowa is looking for that “Rastetter Roll” when they’re pinned deep in their own territory and want to flip the field. If they can come up with a creative look or free up a few gunners quickly to prevent the opposing returner from running up on it, Rastetter still has a role on this team.

Spencer Petras — RS Freshman

San Rafael, CA (Marian Cathloic)

6’5”, 230 lbs

2019 Projection: Back-Up Quarterback

The two most important things for me in the non-conference (and Rutgers) part of the schedule is beating Iowa State and blowing out these teams so that the future starter at Iowa Quarterback gets some valued experience.

That’s right. I’m planting my flag in the big armed redshirt freshman from California as the future starter for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Why exactly?

First of all, he’s ginormous. He threw for something like 4,100 yards and 50-touchdowns his senior year, both school records at the same program that produced LA Ram Jared Goff. He’s got a cannon for an arm, great pocket presence with touted footwork and everything the offense is doing this year with future NFL Draft Pick Nate Stanley should be able to stay consistent with Petras at the helm.

But don’t just take my word for it...

On Saturday, it was Petras who passed the eye test during the Hawkeyes’ only open scrimmage this month. The redshirt freshman from California completed 18 of 25 passes for 208 yards and the lone touchdown through the air of the afternoon, in an unofficial statistical tally.

I know, I know... Kid’s Day. BUT, it’s important to take all of these little snippets into consideration (along with the fact that Peyton Mansell was described as “shaky” by many people in attendance). If I know this program the way I think I do, that level of maturity, big arm strength, footwork and accuracy will the “OR” battle for the back-up roll in the end.

Here’s hoping we’ll be able to see it for a quarter or two in 7 Days.