Good old Nate Bazata.......

[Herkmeister]

Just feels like we've forgotten one of our steadiest players over the last few years.

Nate wasn't flashy, but man, that kid could play for a small town kid from an 8 man football team. Never caused a problem and always did his job. Just a great example of Iowa Hawkeye Football.

Just felt like we should be thanking Nate for a great Iowa career.

 

[bojihawk44]

Was the forgotten man on our defense for a couple of years. Very solid player, and a great story about the small town kid who made it big. Good post, OP.

 

[Herkmeister]

Was the forgotten man on our defense for a couple of years. Very solid player, and a great story about the small town kid who made it big. Good post, OP.

You post reminded me that Nate played through some pretty painful injuries with little or no fanfare as well.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Good thread Herk. My favorite Bazata moment was when he made a really good play against Nebraska and "threw the bones". You could tell with him being a kid from Nebraska and getting a chance to do that to that crowd in memorial ment something. He will rememeber that for the rest of his life. Great Hawk.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aj...4th-down-stop/OeD8Fl4HxTU7D1r7RHUgrO/amp.html

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I loved it when he was interviewed one time ... and in the interview, Bazata was being set up to talk up all the things that he does well. Instead, he spoke about how he's not the biggest guy, not the fastest guy, not the strongest guy, etc ... however, he then went on to speak about how he had to compensate for his deficiencies by being more of a technician and really making sure that he played with great leverage.

I personally found the interview hysterical ... because he's this kid who has been starting since he's a SO ... he's from BFN, Nebraska ... and he was starting ahead of Ekakitie (who was a 4-star recruit). I was very proud of Ekakitie's development as a Hawk too ... but I thought that Nate was rather emblematic of the program.

 

[millhawk]

He could occupy blockers...seldom lost leverage.

 

[ichawk24]

Sorry to bring up the Purdue game, but Bazata did get a safety at the 20 second mark:

 

[bigfridaynite]

You don't get an AA LB without some very good talent in front of him

 

[Herkmeister]

Sorry to bring up the Purdue game, but Bazata did get a safety at the 20 second mark:

View embedded media

Thanks IC. My 2nd photo of Nate was that safety.

I wish I hadn't watched the rest of that video. LOL

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

That beard is just rough...... ahhaha

 

[Harbinger273]

Thanks you Nate Bazata for your strong contribution to the Iowa football program. Great achievement. Good luck in your future endeavors!

 

[hawkandroll]

That beard is just rough...... ahhaha

Unfortunately the mustache region has been very weak throughout the majority of the team in recent years. Neckbeards especially among the OL (who could kill me with minimal effort) seems to have become the norm.

I would apreciate if the coaches would devote some effort to this (clearly serious) issue moving forward. In fact, this topic may deserve its own thread as wel head into the springtime lull.

 

[Herkmeister]

I loved it when he was interviewed one time ... and in the interview, Bazata was being set up to talk up all the things that he does well. Instead, he spoke about how he's not the biggest guy, not the fastest guy, not the strongest guy, etc ... however, he then went on to speak about how he had to compensate for his deficiencies by being more of a technician and really making sure that he played with great leverage.

I personally found the interview hysterical ... because he's this kid who has been starting since he's a SO ... he's from BFN, Nebraska ... and he was starting ahead of Ekakitie (who was a 4-star recruit). I was very proud of Ekakitie's development as a Hawk too ... but I thought that Nate was rather emblematic of the program.

You know Ghost, your post got me thinking about how Nate beat out Faith.

I'm a little surprised Nate didn't try to get a tryout with some team. I mean, the kid can flat play. I guess the NFL boys are just that fast, huh?

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

You know Ghost, your post got me thinking about how Nate beat out Faith.

I'm a little surprised Nate didn't try to get a tryout with some team. I mean, the kid can flat play. I guess the NFL boys are just that fast, huh?

Faith was a more explosive athlete - but it took him a long time to consistency play with good leverage and technique. If you're not good with hand-placement and hand-play ... it's harder to disengage and then you get caught in the wash. If you don't play with good leverage - then you're toast ... and you'll get moved back a mile (and likely end up on the ground).

I have no idea about Nate and the pros ... but I do know that he was a mighty find college football player.