The big return is oh so close for Bernstine

IOWA CITY -- Iowa is getting oh so close to breaking a kick return and it's kind of driving Jordan Bernstine crazy.

He broke Indiana's first and second lines of defense on a called right return Saturday, but the Hoosiers' last wave made him cutback and he was eventually dragged down for a 62-yard return, the longest of his career.

"The first one was pretty open, too, and I tripped up," he said. "I think that's what it is, I need to be faster."

Bernstine is fifth in the Big Ten with 25.9 yards on 16 returns, which is representative of where Iowa kick returners have been the last five seasons. Wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos led the Big Ten last season with 29.3 yards on 17 returns. He also led the Hawkeyes in 2009 (31.5) and 2007 (23.68). Jewel Hampton led the Hawkeyes with 23.38 in 2008.

"What we run is designed and when the guys pick up their blocks, it should open up," Bernstine said. "When it opens up, I have to do a better job of hitting it and make the play."

After four years of nagging injuries and unfinished business, Bernstine is crossing off a lot of bucket-list items in his final season as a Hawkeye. After three weeks, he earned the strong safety position. He's filling every stat box and is fifth on the team with 40 tackles.

Out of August camp, Bernstine, who returned three kicks for 115 yards against Indiana, earned a spot on kick return opposite Keenan Davis, which was sort of an upset. He hadn't returned a kick in his previous four seasons. (By the way, if Davis, who suffered a mild ankle sprain last week, can't return kicks Saturday, the candidates to replace him are Jordan Canzeri, Damon Bullock and Kevonte Martin-Manley.)

"It's not like you teach it, it's just some guys seem to do it better than others," coach Kirk Ferentz said. "He's done a nice job, all season long, not just Saturday."

But yes, his teammates did notice he was caught and forced to cutback.

"He was getting teased in the locker by a few players afterward, about his speed," Ferentz said. "But he's doing a good job."