HawkeyeGunner
Well-Known Member
Kcrg is reporting that Tom Poholsky passed away in Dallas while on vacation with his family. He played for the Hawks from 1986-1989. Keep his family in your thoughts.
Tom Poholsky passing
- Thread starter HawkeyeGunner
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Northside Hawk
Well-Known Member
He more or less paralleled my years at Iowa if you take his 1985 redshirt year into account....
Hayden and Bill Snyder game him every opportunity to win the job. But he kept giving it back because he had a critical flaw-reading through his progressions. He may have flourished under Kirk, but Hayden expected his QB's to take shots down the field and not be afraid to risk the INT (like McGuire and Chuck Hartlieb.)
He got one final shot his senior year but was ineffective in the season opener vs Oregon and gave up the position to Matt Rodgers who would soon have Iowa back in the Rose Bowl.
Sad loss for the Hawkeye family and a reminder that the grim reaper is knocking for many of us.
Hayden and Bill Snyder game him every opportunity to win the job. But he kept giving it back because he had a critical flaw-reading through his progressions. He may have flourished under Kirk, but Hayden expected his QB's to take shots down the field and not be afraid to risk the INT (like McGuire and Chuck Hartlieb.)
He got one final shot his senior year but was ineffective in the season opener vs Oregon and gave up the position to Matt Rodgers who would soon have Iowa back in the Rose Bowl.
Sad loss for the Hawkeye family and a reminder that the grim reaper is knocking for many of us.
I was at that Oregon game. He came in when Rodgers fumbled a snap. My recollection was he had a good series but then was replaced by Rodgers who then fumbled his next snap.
That being said, Rodgers was a bit of a project that season....that paid off the following year.
Northside Hawk
Well-Known Member
I was at that game as well. Nick Bell got concussed on the first play from scrimmage when a lineman blew his assignment.
I thought Tom started that game and was replaced due to general ineffectiveness but I could be wrong. That was over 30 years ago.
Northside Hawk
Well-Known Member
That was a courageous win up in East Lansing that year. Sparky was loaded at the skill positions (Lorenzo White, Blake Ezor, Andre Rison, Mark Ingram) and we went up there minus Vlasic, David Hudson and Quinn Early (who had yet to play due to preseason shoulder injury)
Two notes: First, don't laugh about Blake Ezor. He was a workhorse and fast as hell, kind of a poor man's Tim Dwight. He came out of Vegas just before Nick Bell. He was one of my all time favorite B1G players.
Note #2. A DB by the name of Phil Parker would have played for Sparty that day!
It's very fuzzy. Pretty sure you're right though that he started. It should be a little more clear for me. It was my very first Hawkeye game.
And a fellow high school alum (he was older, obviously....but his brother was in my class)....was the starter.
----edit
I just looked for a box score but can't find one. Watching a video of a "coach's show" with the Oregon coach. Bell was knocked sideways on the first play. They showed it. It would be targeting today. He stayed in the game, though.
Finding that video is kinda cool. I mean, it was a horrible game, but it was my very first Iowa game and now it's a little more documented in my time addled brain.
Looks like Tom threw two interceptions. It certainly wasn't all on him. I admit to bias in wanting a fellow high school alum to succeed. But, the offensive line was overwhelmed. Pressure all day and zero running game. Rodgers came in late 3rd or 4th. He fumbled it. Maybe that's when Tom came back in for a few plays. I remember him throwing for a first down or two and I remember thinking "alright, he's settled in and has righted the course" and then they sent Rodgers back and he promptly fumbled the very next snap. They kept it...and I think he did OK from there.
In the end, Rodgers was obviously the right choice. Certainly as a project during a season that was well suited to be a 'project year'. Absolutely cannot argue Rodgers' Iowa career.
Tom's a good guy, though, from a good family. And he sure made my middle/high school Friday nights pretty exciting too.
I wish the board had more emojis, like isn't the right one for this.
SmokeTownHawk
Well-Known Member
I remember Tom playing, just didn't remember him on the team with Rogers.
RIP Mr. Poholsky.
RIP Mr. Poholsky.
LakerHawk1
Member
My daughter is in Tommy's class at Evergreen High School. I was at the game Friday night. It was nice to see all the Hawkeye apparel worn by many at a small Colorado school, and support for the Poholsky family.
