Hawkeyes’ running back depth upgraded to stable

IOWA CITY - Quietly last weekend in Ames, the Hawkeyes walked a tightrope in regard to running back depth.

The situation stemmed from a letter Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said he saw late Friday from the university in regards to a student life code of conduct violation by sophomore running back Derrick Mitchell. Rather than sort through the details while preparing for a game against rival Iowa State the next day, Ferentz said he sent Mitchell back to Iowa City.

The Hawkeyes still were in OK shape with junior LeShun Daniels, senior Jordan Canzeri and sophomore Akrum Wadley. Then, Daniels suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and couldn't return to the game.

And then it was Canzeri and Wadley, who fumbled for the fourth time in 36 carries in week 1. Canzeri finished the game with a flurry, carrying a career-high 24 times for 124 yards and an 8-yard TD run to finish off the Cyclones.

Disaster averted, but, as you're well aware, disaster is a week-to-week proposition with Iowa running back.

What's up this week?

After announcing Monday that Mitchell was suspended for student code and football team rules violations, Ferentz lifted the suspension and Mitchell will be available for this weekend's game against Pitt (2-0).

'I had an opportunity to visit with Derrick last (Monday) night and get more information, and after getting a full understanding of the situation, we were really pleased to welcome him back this morning,” Ferentz said. 'So he's back with the football team and we'll move accordingly from there.”

In Monday's release, Ferentz said there were no legal ramifications in regard to Mitchell's suspension. He reiterated that Tuesday.

'That's what I fully anticipate and we'll certainly abide by whatever the university decides,” Ferentz said. 'I wouldn't have brought him back if I wasn't confident that there's nothing really much beyond what we were talking about right now.”

If Daniels can't play, the running back depth chart will go Canzeri, Wadley, Mitchell and redshirt freshman Marcel Joly, Ferentz said. True freshman Eric Graham is on the scout team and will redshirt this season.

Ferentz said Wadley remains No. 2, but he's on high alert after his latest bout with fumble-itis. Ferentz also left it open-ended.

'Kind of whoever is healthy and whoever is looking the best in practice,” he said.

Iowa (2-0) came out of the Iowa State game with two big question marks health-wise in Daniels and defensive end Drew Ott.

Ott suffered a dislocated elbow while jumping into a pile for a fumble in the first quarter. Daniels left the game late in the second quarter with his ankle injury.

Neither player practiced Tuesday morning, but Ferentz said he's hopeful both players will be available for Saturday night's game.

'Both guys are rehabbing right now,” Ferentz said. 'It would be premature to make any predictions how it's going to go, but they're making progress and we'll see how the week plays out on that one.”

Ott's injury was not for the faint of heart.

'I didn't see what had happened and he got up and his elbow looked disgusting,” defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson said. 'So I knew something had gone wrong.”

Ferentz was asked if he thought Ott and Daniels would suffer long-term effects lasting possibly into the Big Ten season, and that answer was a definitive no. He maintained that he hasn't ruled out either player this week. (Remember last season, Ferentz also said offensive tackle Brandon Scherff would play against Iowa State after arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday of game week. Scherff played, so Ferentz doesn't play games here.)

'We'll have a chance to know more Thursday or Friday,” Ferentz said. 'I think it's realistic. If they can't make it Saturday, hopefully the week after.”

Tight end George Kittle sat out most of the Iowa State game after suffering a right knee injury in the opener. He didn't play offense, but he did block on special teams and ended up being a lead blocker on Iowa's two-play TD drive that was Canzeri for 17 yards and then for the 8-yard TD.

Kittle said he's day-to-day, but plans to return full-speed and 'play a lot” week.

'Illinois State was pretty fun, but I got hurt early,” Kittle said. 'I just want to play a full game and do everything I can do.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com