ORLANDO — Iowa football’s Citrus Bowl itinerary — to no surprise considering the location — will involve trips to a couple amusem*nt parks.
But Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill already has experienced plenty of ups and downs this year without the help of any rides at Fun Spot America or Universal Studios.
“Spring ball until now, it’s been a roller coaster,” Hill said after Iowa’s practice on Thursday in suburban Orlando ahead of the 2024 Citrus Bowl.
Hill was Iowa’s third-stringer in spring practices behind a former third-team all-Big Ten quarterback and a quarterback who started in Iowa’s 21-0 Music City Bowl win.
By the fall, he had surpassed Joe Labas as the second-string quarterback. One month into the season, he was thrust into the first-team quarterback role after Cade McNamara suffered a season-ending injury.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Hill said. “It’s been awesome to be the quarterback for this team.”
Hill, after not attempting a single pass in his two years at Wisconsin, has started eight games this season (with a ninth start anticipated next week in the Citrus Bowl, barring any unforeseen circ*mstances).
The third-year quarterback from Santa Barbara, Calif., has completed 49.4 percent of his passes while throwing five touchdowns and six interceptions.
While the statistics will not wow many people, Hill’s fellow offensive players have “been really appreciative of him and how he’s stepped up this year for our team.”
“Obviously he’s faced ups and downs — media, things inside his own head maybe,” offensive lineman Mason Richman said. “He’s been really steely-eyed. He’s learned how to turn off the noise.”
The “noise” or outside frustration about Iowa’s quarterback production is not new to Hill’s tenure as QB1.
Spencer Petras drew ire from fans amid substandard results in the 2022 season and the second half of the 2021 season. Petras at one point asked fans to “remember that I’m a human being.”
“Being a quarterback at Iowa hasn’t always been the greatest role, not just for me,” Hill said. “Spencer took a lot of heat. I’m sure someone else will take a lot of heat besides me at some point.”
During Hill’s two years at Wisconsin he “caught myself looking on social media.”
“When I was like the fourth-string, everybody wants to see the backup play.”
Now that he is under the spotlight as a starting quarterback, Hill learned to “block out everything and lean on the people I love and trust.” That is easier said than done, though.
“At first, it was a little difficult to deal with,” Hill said. “It got easier and easier once you realize that nothing else matters except for the people in the building.”
Hill does not even have an X account. His last Instagram post was in October.
Back on the field, the last month of practices ahead of the 2024 Citrus Bowl has helped the Wisconsin transfer build more chemistry with his receiving corps.
“It’s a lot of throws you’re putting in every day, a lot of catches you’re getting together,” Hill said. “Building that chemistry throughout the past month has been really beneficial.”
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said Hill has “done a good job” of capitalizing on the month of pre-bowl practices.
“I think he’s more confident, a little bit more decisive,” Ferentz said.
Hill is not the only quarterback at Iowa earning rave reviews. Marco Lainez ascended to the No. 2 quarterback spot this season despite being a true freshman.
“It’s hard for a freshman to come in, jump to No. 2 (on the depth chart), but he’s done a great job,” Hill said of Lainez. “Learning, asking questions. … He’s grown a ton. Super proud of him.”
Ferentz said the pre-bowl practices, like for Hill, have been “really good” for Lainez.
“He’s improved immensely, too,” Ferentz said of Lainez.
As Lainez continues to develop and as McNamara recovers from knee surgery in 2024, Hill’s path to playing time after this season is murky.
“The future is the future,” Hill said. “We’ll wait and see what happens. … I’m not too focused on the future. We’ll deal with it when it comes, whatever it may be.”
He first has one more game on the roller coaster that has been the 2023 season to think about.
“Whatever I need to do to help this team win, that’s what I’m going to do,” Hill said, looking ahead to Monday’s game.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
