Iowa notes: Norm Parker could attend Saturday's game

IOWA CITY - Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker could make an appearance at this week's game but it won't be in a coaching capacity, Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday.

“He won't be in the office this week,” Ferentz said. “He may be at the game, which is great. But to say he's back with us working, that's not a sure assessment, yet. I thought talking to some of the people working with him, I thought he might have a shot, like today or (Wednesday), I don't think that's going to happen.

“Maybe the end of the week, maybe next week where he can be, you know, able to come in the office a little bit. It won't be this week but maybe next week that's a possibility.”

Parker, 68, was hospitalized because of diabetic complications Sept. 10 and later had his right foot amputated. He was released from the hospital about three weeks after his arrival.

Ferentz was guarded about who specifically handles Parker's duties, adding that the defensive position coaches share them.

“It's like not having a player in your lineup,” Ferentz said. “It's hard to measure that. But I will say, I think everybody has done a great job in his absence.”

Injuries plague linebacking corps

Injuries continue to catch up with Iowa's defense. Starting middle linebacker Jeff Tarpinian missed his third straight start with a stinger that he suffered Sept. 25 against Ball State. Troy Johnson replaced Tarpinian in the starting lineup, but he left the game in the fourth quarter after suffering one of his own.

“I feel fine right now,” Johnson said. “It only lasts about 20 seconds during a game, and it was fine. I don't think it's anything too serious.

“I don't think mine is as serious as (Tarpinian's injury). I'll be practicing.”

Tarpinian wasn't listed on Iowa's depth chart, and Ferentz was non-committal about his return.

“He may get back on a limited basis but we can't count on that. We'll play the guys we have, and we'll play better.”

Weakside linebacker Jeremiha Hunter also was injured Saturday, and Ferentz said “we'll see how the week goes” about his return.

Senior Lance Tillison is listed as Hunter's back-up, while Shane DiBona also played that position in the final drive on Saturday. True freshman James Morris also backs up at middle linebacker.

Reisner a riser

Marion product Allen Reisner continues to turn heads at tight end. Reisner, a senior, has caught 24 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns this year. He caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Rick Stanzi last week against Wisconsin.

“Right now, he's really playing well,” Ferentz said. “And we are counting on that. I'm not surprised by it at all.”

Reisner has bulked up since he was thrown into the mix as a true freshman in 2007 after injuries at tight end. He's now listed at 248 pounds, while Ferentz said he was around 218 as a true freshman playing the position.

“The alarming part, again you look at his helmet, he looked like he was 14, speaking of teens,” Ferentz said. “He really looked young in the face. And that doesn't mean anything, but it added emphasis to where he was at.

“Most of the guys that we have played as freshman, we have chosen to play them. In his case, it was just desperation. We were out of guys. And to his credit, I thought he really competed and did a lot of good things that year.”