The Spotlight Dance -- Indiana

Iowa RB Brandon Wegher vs. Indiana LB Matt Mayberry

Brandon Wegher (fr.) 

Dimensions - 5-11, 206

Position - Running back

Back story -- Wegher's first game as a Hawkeyes was a sparkler. He rushed for 101 yards and a TD on 15 carries and he caught two passes for 17 yards, including the one-handed beauty that energized the offense in Iowa's 35-3 victory over Iowa State. Wegher was so brilliant that he caused coach Kirk Ferentz to say, “There are times when I'm afraid to throw a guy out there, I guess,” Ferentz said, before adding facetiously, “It's only running back. If he fumbles, don't worry about it.”

Wegher has 321 yards and three TDs on 87 carries. He has 11 receptions for 90 yards, sort of reigniting the receiving possibilities for Iowa running backs.

Wegher also has a lot of expectations headed his way. Freshman Adam Robinson has a high-ankle sprain and could be out until the bowl game. Iowa is now down three running backs. Sophmore Jewel Hampton tore an ACL in June and never made it to the season. Freshman Jeff Brinson never got out of the blocks, with a foot injury that's headed toward surgery, and is likely out for the season. And now, Robinson's ankle.

Iowa is down to Wegher and junior Paki O'Meara, who hasn't had a meaningful carry since a fumble in the opener against Northern Iowa. Ferentz said everyone, including true freshmen Brad Rogers and Josh Brown, is in the mix, but don't look for Rogers or Brown. They haven't been doing anything meaningful in practice until last week, when Wegher's bruised hand sounded the alarm for Rogers to dress and travel to Michigan State. Rogers shared some No. 2 duty in practice this week, but it's still a longshot that he sees the field.

Wegher has the bruised hand and some bruised ribs, suffered after a hit on a 23-yard screen pass last week.

Ferentz was asked if Wegher is a 20- , 25-carry back. He answered, "We'll see."

Wegher doesn't have to be a 20-carry back. The number is likely 15 with another 10 or so being split between O'Meara and, maybe, fullback Brett Morse.

Iowa's offense is in asset management mode. Wegher is one of those assets. How will he be used? Will he go every carry? Will he be subbed in every two or so series? We'll see.

Matt Mayberry (sr.) 

Dimensions - 6-foot-2, 237

Position - Middle linebacker

Back story - Mayberry is eighth in the Big Ten, averaging 8.3 tackles per game. He has had at least 10 tackles in his past six Big Ten games, going back to last season. He had 14 against Illinois. He's one of IU's heart guys on defense. He doesn't come off the field.

He's a quiet leader and performer on an IU defense that's headlined by ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton.

IU's co-defensive coordinator Joe Palcic believes Mayberry has an NFL future.

"He has big arms; he'll probably run a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash) and he'll bench-press the world," Palcic told the Indianapolis Star. "He'll be on everyone's NFL list just because of his testing numbers. Now, will he be able to live up to all of that hype as a football player at the next level? That remains to be seen. But at this level, he's definitely a force."

Judges?

All Iowa eyes will be on Wegher. He's on his own now, sort of. He's gone from being a true freshman who was a good story, filling his role and making a play here and there to being a -- the -- featured back. How will Iowa feature him? Is there pressure? Of course, we don't know. Ferentz doesn't allow true freshmen to do interviews. (I sounded my opinion on this -- I don't like it, but I can understand the logic.) The cavalry isn't coming, either. The coaches' caution with O'Meara is apparent. He has one carry since Northern Iowa. Rogers might play -- might.

Wegher had Iowa State. Now he has Indiana. It's an entirely different ballgame.