Whether it feels like it or not, it has been 10 years since the 2009 Iowa football team last swarmed Kinnick together.

To honor the anniversary, the Hawkeyes brought members of the 2009 team back for the Oct. 12 matchup against Penn State. Iowa also named Stanzi as the honorary captain for the game against the Nittany Lions.

“It was a great experience,” Stanzi said. “It was first-class by the staff and administration to bring us all back and see the new complex and be able to hang out with each other.”

Stanzi accompanied the team captains out to midfield for the coin toss before the game, and he also participated in an interview on the video board. Hawkeye fans welcomed their former signal-caller back with enthusiasm, like they were seeing an old friend for the first time in years.

For Stanzi, it was an emotional experience and a reminder of everything he’d been a part of during his time in Iowa City.

“Just to be back with the coaches, talking to them and the team was really full circle for me,” he said. “I remember listening to those honorary captains, so I was absolutely blessed to have gotten that nod from coach Ferentz. He had a lot of other people he could have picked, so for him to pick me was very special.”