Brett Gabbert steps up to the 16-yard line at Kinnick Stadium and stares down the Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense.
It’s the first half of his first collegiate game, but the 19-year-old freshman quarterback is calm and confident. This isn’t the first time he has stood in a venue that holds 70,000 people.
After one last pre-play look at his receivers, Gabbert calls “hike,” catches the shotgun snap and goes to work.
Three steps back. His brown eyes look right. They latch onto a target.
Flick.
He floats a rainbow throw toward the back-right corner of the end zone.