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LB sitch

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz talked injuries at LB:

MLB Jeff Tarpinian (stinger) might be back this week on a limited basis, but they're not counting on him. WLB Jeremiah Hunter injured his knee against Wisconsin, so he's hurting but no specifics were offered.

MLB Troy Johnson was replaced by James Morris in the fourth quarter. Johnson said he was dinged, but will be practicing today.

Morris and freshman Shane DiBona were the inside linebackers on Wisconsin's winning drive. Senior Lance Tillison also wasn't in the game.

"We're thin, that's fair to say," Ferentz said. "We're down one and then down two in the second half. Thin is fair. Tyler Nielsen is doing great. Don't want to jinx him. He's as healthy as can be."

Norm report

Defensive coordinator Norm Parker will be back this week, but won't be in the office working on gameplans. He might be at the stadium on Saturday.

Parker, 68, is recovering from a foot amputation due to diabetic complications. He's been rehabbing at the Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

Ferentz couldn't put a tangible note to what Parker's absence has meant.

"It's like not having a player in your lineup," Ferentz said. "It's hard to measure that. But I will say, I think everybody has done a great job in his absence. And you know, we have got to start by tackling better and playing blocks better. That would help this Saturday."

The questions

Ferentz admitted mistakes were made.

He said he wished they would've clocked the ball instead of taking a timeout.

"Well, in retrospect, I wish we had clocked it quite frankly," Ferentz said.

He said he wished they would've gone with punt safe instead of a return.

"It was a thought, and in retrospect I wish we had done it," he said.