Daily Staff Writer

AMES (AP) — Iowa State quarterback Todd Bandhauer on Tuesday threw his support to a beleaguered colleague, Iowa’s Matt Sherman.

“I’ve thought about that quite a few times,” Bandhauer said. “I think Sherman’s a heck of a quarterback. It seems like he gets a bum rap.”

Sherman has been criticized throughout his career and the criticism intensified after Sherman endured a miserable afternoon in Iowa’s 28-24 loss at Michigan last Saturday.

Bandhauer said that game shouldn’t detract from what Sherman has done previously.

He was outstanding in the Hawkeyes’ 63-20 thrashing of ISU last month, completing 12 of 17 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

Against Michigan, Sherman was 8-for-21 for 86 yards and three interceptions.

“Every quarterback has a bad game,” said Bandhauer, who said he doesn’t know Sherman personally.

“I think he’s played consistently enough over the years to be considered a great quarterback and I think he’s a great quarterback,” he said. “I respect him.”

Iowa’s bid to beat Michigan ended when Sherman threw an interception from the Wolverines’ 26-yard line with 31 seconds left.

Bandhauer didn’t see it happen on television but heard enough to know it was a critical play.

“I can’t say it, but you know, things happen,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep going. I heard he hurt his hand. I consider myself a good sport. I wish their team the best of luck and wish Matt Sherman the best of luck.”

Iowa coach Hayden Fry confirmed Tuesday that Sherman did injure his throwing hand at Michigan, but the extent of the injury wasn’t known.