Iowa football has many happy return(ers)

IOWA CITY - Kirk Ferentz has spent most of training camp looking at first-string guards, backup tight ends and the annual place-kicker Merry-Go-Round.

As for return specialists, it's not quite in his focus.

“We haven't had any conversation (about the return game),” Ferentz said after a recent practice. “We'll start thinking about that a little bit more. The good news is I think we've got a pool of guys to draw upon, and certainly if we can stay healthy that will help give us some depth.” 

Iowa posted solid statistics in the return game last year. Senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos finished second among the league's kick returners at 31.5 yards per return. His 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Ohio State stifled the Buckeyes' momentum. The return brought Iowa within a touchdown in a game decided in overtime. 

Senior Colin Sandeman averaged 9.0 yards per punt return, second-best in the Big Ten. In fact, Sandeman would have led the league had Purdue's Aaron Valentin not returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown. 

While Sandeman's success makes him the favorite, he is by no means locked into the position. Senior Paul Chaney Jr. originally returned punts before a knee injury ended his season. He now is healthy and competing at that spot. 

Likewise Iowa wide receivers like junior Marvin McNutt, sophomore Keenan Davis, red-shirt freshman Jordan Cotton and true freshman Kevonte Martin-Manley have taken cracks at returning punts in practice. Davis fielded one punt and one kickoff last year. 

“They have all the receivers and anybody who they feel like can catch the ball pretty good back there,” said Davis, a sophomore. “They did that last year, too, so it's a competition back there. We're all going to try our hardest to make sure we field the ball and whatever comes after that is good.” 

Along with Sandeman, Chaney Jr., and Davis, safety Tyler Sash also returned punts last year. But that was when both Sandeman and Chaney Jr. were injured. 

“Our problem recently is guys getting injured or we get thin at a position and you're reluctant to use people,” Ferentz said. “So far, so good.” 

McNutt, a junior, raised his hand to try returning punts. He's never done it before. 

“It's just the fact you get to touch the ball again,” he said. 

Cotton was an electric kick returner at Mount Pleasant High School, amassing 925 return yards and three touchdowns in high school. He red-shirted last year but still performed on special teams during practice. 

“I was working a lot at punt return, and I'm doing the same this year,” said Cotton, the son of former Iowa running back Marshall Cotton. “We'll see what happens. I trust the coaches 100 percent on what they're doing.” 

Iowa used six different returning players at kickoff return last year, including Johnson-Koulianos, Chaney Jr., and Davis and running backs like senior Paki O'Meara, sophomore Brandon Wegher and sophomore Adam Robinson. Iowa's 2008 leader at kickoff return, sophomore Jewel Hampton, is back after missing the 2009 season with a knee injury. 

The possibilities at kick returner, Davis said, are endless. 

“A lot of people are trying out,” Davis said. “D-backs are back there, too. I think they want everybody back there who can catch it.” 

DEPTH CHARTING

K -- Daniel Murray, sr., 5-10, 185 OR Trent Mossbrucker, so., 6-0, 204; Mike Meyer, fr., 6-2, 175 

P -- Ryan Donahue, sr., 6-3, 190; Eric Guthrie, jr., 6-6, 245 

Snapper -- Andrew Schulze, sr., 6-5, 255; Charlie Knipper, 6-4, fr., 230 

Holder -- Donahue 

PR -- Colin Sandeman, 6-1, sr., 200; Paul Chaney Jr., sr., 5-9, 170 

KR -- Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, sr., 6-1, 200; Brandon Wegher, so., 5-11, 206; OR Chaney Jr. 

Inside The Huddle 

For the third straight year Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker are battling for the starting kicking position. The duo shared the position in 2008, with Murray earning the most prominent kick in a last-second victory against Penn State. The staff red-shirted Mossbrucker last year and they're both about even through camp. At an open scrimmage in mid-August, both connected on 8-of-11 field-goal attempts. ... Ryan Donahue returns for his fourth season as Iowa's punter. He was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List this year and was a finalist in 2008. ... Andrew Schulze returns for his fourth season as Iowa's long snapper. He handles all snaps for punts and kicks. Last year Iowa did not have a fumble on special teams because of a bad snap last year. 

Numbers Game 

Murray was named to the Lou Groza Award list after connecting on 32of-33 extra-point attempts and 19-of-26 field goals. Murray hit a career-best 48-yard field goal against Wisconsin but missed a chip-shot 22-yarder against  Ohio State. ... Mossbrucker hit 13-of-15 field goals in 2008 and connected on 31-of-33 extra points. ... Donahue was named an honorable mention all-Big Ten pick last year after averaging 40.9 yards on 61 punts. He ranked seventh in the Big Ten and his longest punt went for 73 yards.