Injuries hurt Iowa's offense

Injuries have shredded Iowa's special teams almost as much as it has the team's offense.

Kick returner Paul Chaney Jr., who handled kickoffs and punts, was lost for the season with a knee injury against Michigan. His replacement at punt returner, wide receiver Colin Sandeman, suffered a concussion on a vicious hit at Michigan State. Iowa has tried wide receiver Keenan Davis and cornerback Amari Spievey at punt returner, but now seems set on sophomore safety Tyler Sash in that role.

Against Northwestern, Sash returned four punts for 16 yards, including one for 11 yards.

“I thought Tyler did a good job,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “That was a bright spot. (Sash) did a nice job fielding the punts, looked confident and decisive. And Colin's demonstrated an ability to do that, too.”

Sash said the coaches asked him if he was confident returning kicks.

“I feel like I can go back there, and I'm trying to help the team out in any way that I can, just to give us spark,” he said. “Basically, I'm just reading the football. If there's some backspin on it, you're trying to get away from it.

“If I felt comfortable fielding it, then field it. If not, then just tell everybody I'm not fielding it and just get away so it didn't hit off the back of them.”

Ferentz said if Sandeman is healthy enough to return punts, it's undetermined who would fill that role this week.

Iowa ranks seventh among Big Ten teams in punt returns at 7.8 yards a return. But one of those includes defensive end Adrian Clayborn's block of a punt and 53-yard return for a touchdown at Penn State.

Hit the books

If it wins at Ohio State, Iowa would have a chance at its first Big Ten title outright since 1985. Although the game may dominate their thoughts, players still have to attend class.

Center Rafael Eubanks had a test Monday, and he said it was a blessing it wasn't Thursday.

“It's tough,” he said. “We've worked so hard at this point and set ourselves up to be in this opportunity to win the Big Ten, most of your focus is going to be on this. That's just how it is at this point.”

Tackle Bryan Bulaga said time management is crucial during the season.

You've just got to be able to balance everything out,” he said. “Any time you get a chance to come over here and watch tape you've got to do it,”

Davis factor

Freshman wide receiver Keenan Davis has played in every game while rotating among the top four wide receivers at his position.

Davis, who played last year for Cedar Rapids Washington, has four catches for 55 yards and one touchdown. He lines up alongside Derrell Johnson-Koulianos on kickoff returns and has one return for 11 yards. He had one punt return but muffed it against Indiana.

“I think he's coming along just fine,” Ferentz said. “We're really pleased with Keenan and think he's making good progress.”