Paine lands at Iowa Central

Freshman wide receiver DeMarco Paine has landed at Iowa Central Community College, according to ICCC coach Kevin Twait.

Paine, a 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, played in two games as a true freshman this season for the Hawkeyes, catching three passes for 16 yards. He dressed for Iowa's Oct. 11 game at Indiana but wasn't on the sidelines after.

In Tampa, coach Kirk Ferentz said he would address Paine's situation at a later date.

“It's not a discipline thing, I'll just say that,” Ferentz said.

Twait said Paine had a late NCAA Clearinghouse issue.

Paine won't be the first Hawkeye to try to make it back to Iowa City via the Fort Dodge community college.

Wide receiver Clinton Solomon was forced to leave Iowa because of academics. He returned and was a big part of the 2004 Big Ten co-champions. This season, cornerback Amari Spievey returned after earning junior college all-American with the Tritons.

Here's something I wrote on Solomon back in '04:

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Grades forced a detour to Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College, the Iowa Community

College Athletic Conference, no way on the TV, bus rides to Wahpeton, N.D., 3,000 fans and

Dodger Stadium.

Now, he's back, a year older and a lifetime wiser.

"I told the boys, don't come in thinking you've arrived," the junior receiver said. "The field doesn't mean as much as you think. Take care of your academics. Learn from my experience. I thought I arrived and I didn't. I didn't take care of my academics.

"I tell all the freshman . . . take care of your academics."

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And before the Outback Bowl, I wrote about Spievey:

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“I won't say it was horrible, but it wasn't Iowa,” Spievey said. “I'd much rather be here. I'm glad I'm back here.”

Even with a girlfriend in school in Iowa City, Spievey didn't mope.

He had to pass a couple summer classes to become eligible to play for Iowa Central. In his season with the Tritons, he earned All-American honors, intercepting seven passes. He returned two for TDs and returned two kickoffs for TDs. He also blocked four punts.

Against North Iowa Area Community College, Spievey was thrown at five times. He intercepted three. He ended the first half against Rock Valley with a 94-yard interception return. He started the second half with a 96-yard kick return.

He also earned his associate degree with a 3.0 GPA.

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Twait said Paine's plan is to play at ICCC next fall, maintain his grades and return to Iowa City for the 2010 season.

It's definitely doable.