By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – For the second week in a row, Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill faced the glare from the media spotlight and talked about how he needs to play better.

The sophomore from Santa Barbara, California, didn’t make any excuses for his performance in last Saturday’s 20-14 victory over Purdue when he only completed 6-of-21 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown, and he didn’t make any bold statements or predictions about this coming Saturday’s game at Wisconsin.

“There’s a little frustration there,” Hill said of his performance against Purdue, which included no completions to a wide receiver. “I think anybody would have been frustrated with that performance.

“But the biggest thing for me is just learning from it and trying to grow for this week.”

Hill has only been a Hawkeye for less than a year after having transferred from Wisconsin, where he spent two seasons buried on the depth chart.

He was expected to be Cade McNamara’s backup this season, but that changed abruptly when McNamara suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter against Michigan State on Sept. 30 at Kinnick Stadium.

Hill has had to learn in a hurry, and so far, it hasn’t been easy.

He is only completing 30.6 percent of his passes in Big Ten play, and he has missed some open receivers.

But Hill also has been hurt by dropped passes, including six in the 26-16 victory over Michigan State.

Hill was asked Tuesday what he could do to get the ball to the receivers.

“The simple answer is throwing them the ball, but wherever the ball is meant to go, that’s where it’s going to go, whether it’s to a receiver or a tight end,” Hill said. “We have 100 percent faith in all our guys, especially the receivers. We’ve got a great bunch.

“So, I think if the game plan calls for it will.”

Hill said he was nervous heading into the Purdue game, and he expects to have some nerves before the Wisconsin game despite his familiarity with the surroundings.

“I think they’ll be some nerves there,” Hill said. “I used to get nervous before every high school game, too. I think it’s just your normal nervousness before a game. So, I think it’ll be there. But I just need to do a better job of how I handle it.”

Hill anticipates hearing some chatter from his former Badger teammates, but he spoke highly of the Wisconsin players.

“I’m sure I will, but it’s all love,” Hill said. “I love those guys to death. There are some great guys. I have a lot of respect for them. But yeah, I’m sure there will be a little bit there.”

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was asked Tuesday what his message is for Hill after having watched the Purdue game on tape.

“I think he’s probably pressing a little bit,” Kirk Ferentz said. “And I can’t read minds, but my guess he’s a very prideful guy, and he wants to do like all of our guys do. So, I think he’s probably pressing a little bit.

“Secondly, is he hasn’t played since 2020. That was three high school games, COVID shortened year. Spring season, and I guess he played — I did hear a rumor, I asked him a little bit about it, some kind of wild card team or wildcat, a guy from here or a guy from there, one of those deals, I don’t know who they played.”

“Point being, he hasn’t played much in the last couple years. So, this is kind of his maiden voyage. We may have to be a little patient. Did a lot of good things.”

Hill threw seven passes to wide receivers against Purdue, but he failed to complete any.

“I think they we all there,” said the 6-foot-3, 258-pound Hill. “I just missed. I take ownership of that. I don’t blame the receivers at all.”

Hill said after watching tape of the Purdue game that he saw where his fundamentals broke down.

“I think the biggest thing is footwork because your footwork ties into your throws,” Hill said. “If you’re too much open, then your ball is going to sail on you. If you’re too closed, it’s not going to get there.”

One of the criticisms about Hill’s play so far is that he sometimes throws the ball too hard.

“I think it’s just don’t over think it,” Hill said when asked how difficult it is to take something off a throw. “Just put it in a spot that’s catchable for a receiver. Help him out with location.

“Catching it is a two-sided street. I’ve got to give them a chance. If they help me out a little, I’ll help them out a little.”