Michigan St. - What we learned

Kinnick stadium was rocking and the football team responded with its most complete football game of the season to date.  Here are five things that we learned on Saturday:

1. The offensive line - Since the Arizona game where they gave up 6 sacks, the offensive line has given up three sacks in five games.  Not only that, but Ricky Stanzi hasn't really been bothered in the pocket, he has had plenty of time to find open receivers.  They have also been able to open holes for Adam Robinson to be able to average over 100 yards per game.  After the Arizona game, many fans were thinking that the offensive line was a liability, but they have come together to be a very solid unit.
2. Ricky Stanzi - Iowa fans should sit back and enjoy this guy.  Not only is he an elite collegiate quarterback, he is genuinely a good guy.  The numerous bracelets that he wears have been written about several times, he collects the bracelets from children that he visits at the hospital.  Now outside of the hospital, not many people know how often Stanzi is at the hospital, but know that he spends a lot of free time there. On top of being a great human being, Rick is also putting together one of the greatest single seasons by a Hawkeye quarterback that we have ever seen.
3. A new Kirk Ferentz - In the past we have all witnessed the conservatism Kirk displays, but on Saturday he burned timeouts with seconds to go in the first half forcing Michigan State to punt, ran a reverse pass when he was up big, and was still playing starters late into the game.  Nobody knows if there is a reason for his agressive moves, but don't dismiss the fact that Michigan State played Chris L. Rucker just days after he was released from prison.
4. Youth movement - Going into the season linebacker was one of the more experienced positions on the field, last Saturday Iowa relyed a great deal on two freshman, one true and one redshirt.  James Morris and Shane DiBona both performed great and have helped ease the fact that Iowa will be losing two starters from this unit as seniors.