@no_one_ - Petras did play a decent game, as I'm sure he plays well against the scout team. The problem is every QB they have faced has played BETTER than Petras. For example, Wisconsin's terrible QB was all world against them, going 20-29 for 300 yards and 5 touchdowns. Bottom feeder Nebraska threw for 355 yards against these guys. So I dare say any QB on Iowa's roster could have carved up that defense. For the future of the program, it would have been nice to see Padilla or Labas get a shot to show what they can do against a cupcake to gain experience.
@hawkifann - it doesn't concern you that the team's best RB started at the bottom of the depth chart just 2 months ago? Or that he is only playing more now because everyone has actually had a chance to see him produce on the field? Just like Iowa's freshmen phenom kicker didn't see the field until the inferior guy picked to play ahead of him botched one too many kicks? Who's to say Iowa's 3rd string QB wouldn't have performed better this season than Petras if he got a chance? We will never know. Personnel decisions by an extremely stubborn and egotistical coach are subjective and can often be wrong. Backups should always take snaps and get opportunities.
@EvilMonkeyInTheCloset - if Gavin Williams has been "hurt all year," why did he still get 16 carries just a few weeks ago (averaging just 3.6 yards per carry). Why is an injured guy still listed as "starter" in the depth chart nearly every week? If he isn't 100% healthy, and barely averages 3 yards per carry, there's no excuse for playing the guy if there are better, healthier backs on the bench. Again, it proves that personnel decisions are often wrong and the best players don't always get playing time...Williams is just the most obvious example because we have actually seen the body of work of each of the top 3 backs.
@BigDan21 - you are correct. Padilla absolutely played better than Petras in the little we've seen of him. In fact, it's not even close. Obviously he had jitters getting fed to the wolves taking his first snap in nearly 12 months at the Horseshoe after Petras dug him an insurmountable hole, but the guy dodged 3 sure fire sacks that Petras would have taken and throws a better ball. The fact that he didn't start against Northwestern is an embarrassment.