Football notes on A-Rob, Norm's return and tight end inaction

Sophomore running back Adam Robinson is set to return after missing Saturday's game with an apparent concussion.

“As far as I know, he's practicing today and he's training; ran on Sunday, lifted and all that stuff,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “So he's fine to go.”

Ferentz declined to describe Robinson's injury saying “He was injured. He's fine. He's ready to go.”

True freshman Marcus Coker started in Robinson's place on Saturday, gaining 129 yards on 22 carries. Robinson has rushed for 806 yards and 10 touchdowns this year.

Parker eases back in the fold

Norm Parker is easing himself back in the daily football grind after nearly two months of health-related issues for Iowa's defensive coordinator.

“He's been in this week on a very limited basis right now and he's going through therapy,” Ferentz said.

Parker, 69, was hospitalized Sept. 10 with diabetes-related complications and later had his right foot amputated. He left the hospital in October but has spent much of his time in rehabilitation centers since his release.

Ferentz said it's possible Parker could attend Saturday's game at Northwestern.

“I don't know if he'll make the trip or not,” Ferentz said. “There's a chance of that, and it's very limited but it's a great first step, certainly.

Football administrative assistant Levar Woods filled in on coaching duties for Parker while he recovered. Woods now shifts back to administrative-only duties.

One week after Iowa tight ends combined for seven of the team's 11 catches, that position was nearly invisible in the statistics sheet against Indiana.

Tight ending

Allen Reisner caught one pass for no yards against the Hoosiers, and he was the only tight end to catch a pass. Reisner said the opportunities were limited because Iowa was running the ball.

“I think that's just how it happened,” Reisner said. “I think we ran the ball pretty well there, so we were just going with the flow I think at the time.

“They were really keying on the checkdowns and stuff like that, which a lot of my routes come off of. That's just how the game plan worked out last week.”