For the record: It’s not an infected tattoo

Two things were made abundantly clear during Kirk Ferentz's news conference Tuesday.

Offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga doesn't have an infected tattoo and the Hawkeyes are locked in the “moving on” mode when it comes to Bulaga, tight end Tony Moeaki and wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.

Where did the tattoo thing come from? Ferentz said it was brought up during the Iowa staff's medical meeting Sunday. Something on the Internet somewhere, he said.

“For the record, he doesn't have an infected tattoo,” the Iowa head coach said. “Doesn't have an infected tattoo, his life's not at risk. I think I made that point pretty clear the first time. This is just something that's got to pass.”

Ferentz got the message across Tuesday, several times.

He's not optimistic three key offensive players will return this weekend when the Hawkeyes (3-0) travel to No. 5 Penn State (3-0). He's not without hope, but he's not optimistic.

The Hawkeyes are preparing for their Big Ten opener - on the road, in front of 110,000 fans at Beaver Stadium, on ABC prime time, with ESPN's “College GameDay” crew in town - with the belief that their left tackle, top tight end and leading receiver from the last two seasons won't be available.

“I've given up being optimistic,” he said. “I'm normally an optimistic guy, but I'll be optimistic after I see them playing.”

Ferentz said the three have participated in “some stuff” but haven't really practiced and certainly haven't practiced at full speed.

Moeaki is nursing an ankle that was injured when an Iowa lineman fell on him in the opener against Northern Iowa. He played Sept. 12 against Iowa State but hasn't seen the field since. Johnson-Koulianos was a game-time decision for the Iowa State game when he caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. He has been out of action since, including last week's 27-17 victory over Arizona.

“I think they're (Bulaga, Moeaki and DJK) probably assuming they're not going to play,” Ferentz said. “I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, but I'm beyond that point.

“I'm sure they (Penn State) want their linebackers (Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee) to play, too. It's part of the game. If they show up, they show up. If they don't, they don't. One thing we all know is that they've missed some time already, so they're not going to be as effective as they would've been if they'd been playing. We all know that.”

Bowman (groin) is expected to play against Iowa. He's missed the last two games. Lee sprained a knee against Temple last week. He hasn't been ruled out this week.

Ferentz didn't put a name to Bulaga's illness, but he did squelch some rumors.

“Believe me, if he had a debilitating injury or something like that, we'd share it with you,” Ferentz said. “If his career was in danger, and more importantly, if his life were in danger, way more importantly, then I'd say something. It's really not that dramatic.”

If it happened in February, Ferentz said, time would have passed, Bulaga would be available and no one would likely even know about it.

The fact remains, however, that Bulaga hasn't been cleared to play and hasn't practiced since Sept. 8. Late last week, he was able to lift weights, run and ride the stationary bike. That's working out, though, and not playing football.

“Once he's cleared, he'll be back out there,” Ferentz said. “He's moving in the right direction, everything's good, but, you know, not great. ... Everything's being monitored right now. We're just making sure everything is fine.”

The clear message was play on. That means another week of red-shirt freshman Riley Reiff at left tackle. junior Allen Reisner taking controls at tight end and a few wide receivers pitching in for Johnson-Koulianos.

Against Arizona, Reiff was lined up against defensive end Brooks Reed, all-Pac-10 last season with eight sacks. Reed recorded one assisted tackle.

“I thought Riley met the challenge,” Ferentz said. “Riley is not afraid of competing. He's 280, 285, and he's a strong guy, and there's no fat on him. He's not anemic out there, and he'll hold his own. He's a tough player. He's competitive.”

Reisner, a junior from Marion, caught three passes for 40 yards, including a 29-yarder on a third-and-4 that eventually set up a field goal. Because of injuries, Reisner took off the red-shirt and played as a freshman in 2007. He's was babyfaced then. Now he's a confident player, Ferentz said.

“They could have thrown us in jail three years ago for child abuse, but we had nobody else when we threw him out on the field,” Ferentz said. “I swear he looked like he was 15 out there in his helmet, but we were kind of out of players, so sorry about that, Al.”