Injury cuts season short for Hawkeye Paul Chaney Jr.

University of Iowa wide receiver Paul Chaney Jr. will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, Coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday.

Chaney, a junior, led the team in punt and kickoff returns. He averaged 5.1 yards a punt return, sixth in the Big Ten, and 20.1 yards on kickoffs, 10th in the Big Ten. He caught seven passes for 50 yards.

Chaney injured the knee Saturday against Michigan. His knee swelled and an MRI Monday revealed the ligament tear.

“That's really unfortunate,” Ferentz said. “He was working hard, having a good year, doing a lot of good things for us. It's a tough loss.”

Chaney was among six receivers regularly rotated into the lineup. Receiver Colin Sandeman will replace Chaney at punt returner, but it's undetermined who will replace him and join Brandon Wegher on kickoffs. Sandeman, running back Paki O'Meara or cornerback Amari Spievey may fill in.

“Colin stepped in and did a great job the other night,” Ferentz said. “The good news is that Colin's back appears to be healthy now. He stepped right in and did a nice job. But it's still a tough loss, obviously.

Chaney was a regional qualifier in three NCAA track events last spring - 100 meters (10.51 seconds), 200 (21.14) and 400 relay. It's unlikely he'll recover in time to compete next spring.

Super bowl shuffle

The Big Ten announced its bowl agreements for the four-year cycle starting with the 2010 season. The league extended agreements with the Capital One and Outback bowls and signed deals with the Gator Bowl, Texas Bowl and newly created Dallas Football Classic. The league had four years remaining on deals with the Rose and Insight bowls.

The Orlando, Fla.-based Capital One Bowl claims first selection among the Big Ten's non-BCS qualifying teams. The Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., follows in the selection process. The Big Ten previously opposed the SEC in those bowls but neither the SEC nor the bowls have announced the Big Ten's opponent, said Big Ten Associate Commissioner Scott Chipman. Both bowls are New Year's Day. Iowa has played in three Outback Bowls and one Capital One Bowl in the last six years.

The Jacksonville, Fla., Gator Bowl and Phoenix-area Insight Bowl will alternate the Big Ten's third selection after the BCS. The Big Ten will face the SEC in the Gator Bowl New Year's Day and face the Big 12 in the Insight Bowl New Year's Eve. Iowa played in the 1983 Gator Bowl.

The Texas Bowl (Houston) selects fifth. The Big Ten will play a Big 12 school in late December. The Dallas Football Classic in the historic Cotton Bowl will match Big Ten and Conference USA teams New Year's Day. Chipman said it's possible the league could reach an agreement with the Detroit-based Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.

Dropping off the Big Ten's bowl slate were the Alamo and Champs Sports bowls. Iowa has played in four Alamo Bowls, including the first in 1993.