It’s football first, then birthday party, for Ricky Stanzi

[ 0 ] August 31, 2010 | Mark Emmert

If you haven’t picked out your birthday gift for Ricky Stanzi yet, don’t worry.

The Iowa quarterback has been so focused on Saturday’s season opener against Eastern Illinois that he hasn’t even made plans to celebrate.

“You just reminded me that I have my birthday Friday,” he said this afternoon. “You and my girlfriend, who’s been reminding me a ton lately. But no, I probably won’t sit back and enjoy it, to be honest with you, until the game’s over. It’s not as important. I’m 23. You know, nothing happens when you’re 23. I mean after 21, it’s kind of ‘just keep tacking them on.’ So I don’t worry about it.”

Instead, Stanzi will spend the evening as he does the night before every Iowa home game.

“My plan is to travel with the team down to Cedar Rapids, to the hotel. That’s all I’ve got,” he said.

“And then Saturday, after the game, I’ll spend some time with family and friends.”

Fortunately, for the Stanzi birthday crowd, kickoff is at 11 a.m., leaving plenty of time for a nice celebration.

Of course, it’ll be much nicer for them if the Hawkeyes win.