Sudden Suspension of Coker Confuses Hawkeye Fans

Iowa Hawkeye football fans are both confused and troubled by the sudden suspension of starting running back Marcus Coker.  Tuesday the University announced that Coker will not travel to Arizona for the Insight Bowl later this month.  A three sentence news release from the Hawkeye athletic department said Coker was suspended after a "violation of the UI Student-Athlete Code of Conduct."

"Why would he be suspended," questioned Ellen Waggoner, a Hawkeye fan from Washington.  "He's their main player.  What happened?"

Coker's suspension marks that the second straight year that the Hawkeyes will compete in the Insight Bowl without their starting running back.  Last season Head Coach Kirk Ferentz suspended Adam Robinson ahead of the bowl game for academic reasons.  Robinson was later dismissed from the team after being cited for possession of Marijuana in Des Moines.

"This year we lose our starting running back again," said Scott Dubree, a Hawkeye fan from Plainfield, Illinois.  "Who is going to step up this time?"

"It seems like every year," said Justin Kirch of Dubuque.  "We keep getting hit with key players being lost, it's unfortunate."

The Hawkeyes are slated to play the No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners in the December 30th Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona.