Orange Bowl Sunday -- Iowa notes

MIAMI -- Don't forget, the last time we saw Iowa running back Adam Robinson he screaming and in pain after aggravating a sprained ankle in the season finale.

He limped off the field against Minnesota on Nov. 21. He showed up in that postgame and said he was fine and could've maybe stayed in.

During this week's Orange Bowl practices, the redshirt freshman has worn a red "no-contact" jersey. He's also worn a shoulder harness on his left shoulder all week.

Quizzed Sunday on the health of Robinson and freshman Brandon Wegher, you really couldn't tell if Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was being sarcastic.

"We haven't made it yet," Ferentz said. "We still, what? I'm guessing 50 hours from game time? So, we're hoping we can get both guys into the game healthy. I thought we were there at Ohio State, but it didn't work out. That's one of our goals is to get two running backs to the game healthy.

"We'll see what happens."

Robinson led the Hawkeyes with 775 yards and scored five TDs. He missed two games after suffering a high-ankle sprain Oct. 24 at Michigan State. Wegher, who suffered an intercostal rib injury at Michigan State, missed the Ohio State game. He has 528 yards and a freshman record seven TDs.

Untold stories -- Sunday, Ferentz singled out two of the more largely untold success stories from the 2009 season -- freshman offensive lineman Riley Reiff and defensive tackle Karl Klug.

Reiff, a 6-6, 280-pounder from Parkston, S.D., started 10 games in his first season of eligibility. He was thrust into the lineup at left tackle against Iowa State when junior Bryan Bulaga started going through a thyroid condition that kept him out of three games.

Eventually, he earned Iowa's "next man in" award on offense, which is given to a player who jumps into the lineup and performs at a high level.

"I think Riley has played as well as any lineman on our football team, quite frankly," Ferentz said. "He really had a tremendous season, securing the depth up in Ames when we had to throw him in there. I think we had about three days to know he was going to play. He went in and competed as hard as he could. A week or two later, we're up in State College (Pa.) and he's doing the same thing."

Reiff started three games at left tackle, before going back to the bench when Bulaga returned. A week later, he was back in at left guard for six games.

"This guy has just played well all season long," Ferentz said. "He's done it very quietly, but it hasn't gone unappreciated by the staff."

In the Orange Bowl, he could be out at right tackle.

All through bowl practices, Reiff has played right tackle with senior Kyle Calloway sliding inside to guard. Center Rafael Eubanks and guard Dace Richardson have said they believe that's how it'll be against Georgia Tech.

"We'll see what happens," Ferentz said. "We might play him out there, we might play Kyle. The good news is we've got three guys we feel pretty good about at tackle."

In his first season as a starter, Klug eased fears after Iowa lost Mitch King and Matt Kroul. The 6-4, 258-pounder from Caledonia, Minn., finished with 59 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Last season, King finished with 15.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

"Karl hadn't started a game until this year," Ferentz said, "and he might've played as well as any of our defensive linemen.

"Quietly, those two guys had really great seasons and that's why we're standing here right now. Those are two of the better stories we've had in quite some time. I can't say enough about those guys."

Quick slants

Saturday, Bulaga said he'd announce his plans for next season after the Orange Bowl. A source told The Gazette that, pending a change of heart, Bulaga will forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

The last piece to the NFL puzzle has yet to be heard from, cornerback Amari Spievey.

The junior has yet to comment publicly on his future plans. He hasn't spoken to the media since the Wisconsin postgame, when he picked off two passes. He was scheduled to speak in December before the team left for Miami. At that same news conference, defensive end Adrian Clayborn told reporters he will return for his senior year.

It's possible Spievey leaves Miami without saying anything. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft is Jan. 15.

Ferentz said Sunday all Hawkeyes are officially cleared academically for the Orange Bowl.

Ferentz also said he spoke to eight to 10 NFL teams about Bulaga's NFL possibilities. He said he doesn't know where that stands.

Sophomore

Cody Hundertmark is practicing on the offensive line, switching from defensive end. Future Hawkeye linebacker

James Morris took in Sunday's practice. Freshman OL

Nolan MacMillan is nursing an undisclosed injury and isn't practicing. Ferentz said quarterback

Ricky Stanzi is good to go for the bowl game, no limitations.