Nate Stanley Makes Decision on Senior Season at Iowa

There's good news for Iowa football fans. The Outback Bowl on New Year's Day will NOT be Nate Stanley's final game in an Iowa uniform. He's decided to stay with the Hawkeyes for his senior season in 2019, instead of filing for the NFL draft. The good news came via a tweet from Marc Morehouse of the Cedar Rapids Gazette who says Stanley made the decision after talking to Kirk Ferentz and Ken O'Keefe.

2018 was a good year for the junior quarterback from Menomonie, Wisconsin. He threw for 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His sophomore campaign was even better from a touchdown/interception ratio. Stanley threw 26 touchdowns last season and only six interceptions.

Stanley's interest in returning for his senior season may also be in part due to the fact his offensive line was much better this season. After being sacked 25 times in 2017, he was taken down by opposing defenders only 12 times during the 2018 season.

Iowa and #18 Mississippi State will face off in the 2019 Outback Bowl on New Year's Day in Tampa, Florida. Kickoff is slated for just after 11 a.m., Iowa time. The game will be televised by ESPN2.