Iowa football Depth Chart Monday: Maybe on WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

IOWA CITY — A couple of injuries could shape Iowa's personnel going into the Northern Iowa game this Saturday.

On Monday's depth chart released by Iowa, sophomore wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was listed as a backup. On a 45-yard reception, Smith-Marsette fell on his shoulder. In the postgame, head coach Kirk Ferentz said X-rays were negative.

Running back Ivory Kelly-Martin didn't play last week after suffering an ankle injury in week 1. He's not listed on the depth chart.

On defense, redshirt freshman Djimon Colbert replaced junior Kristian Welch last week and remains the No. 1 at weakside linebacker. Welch suffered an injury in the opener. He was cleared medically for last week's game, but missed too much practice, so Colbert plugged in.

» Iowa season stats

He finished with five tackles and improved in coverage throughout the game.

— Sophomore defensive end A.J. Epenesa earned co-Big Ten defensive player of the week with his performance in Iowa's 13-3 win over Iowa State.

He set career highs with five tackles and 2.0 sacks. He also batted down a pass, had a QB hurry and a QB hit.

Iowa held the Cyclones to 188 total yards, their lowest since 2013 and the fifth-lowest of the Kirk Ferentz era.

Iowa's last Big Ten defensive player of the week was Josh Jackson on Nov. 13, 2017.

» Iowa-Iowa State box score

Epenesa played 25 snaps. He picked up 2.0 sacks and pressured the QB five times. It sure feels like the Iowa staff is maximizing his skill set.

— The Hawkeyes (2-0) begin their Big Ten season after this week's game against the Panthers (0-1).

You wanted a night game for Wisconsin, and you got one.

The Big Ten announced Monday that Wisconsin-Iowa at Kinnick Stadium will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on Fox.

BTN Tailgate, now in its third season, will be in Iowa City the morning of Sept. 22, to preview the matchup between Big Ten West Division rivals. The two-hour broadcast will start at 9 a.m. (CT) live from the University of Iowa's campus.

— Iowa's offense ran 26 plays out of 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends). The Hawkeyes ran 12 on the majority of first downs and third-and-mediums.

Tight ends are obviously how this offense is going to route. It's this offense's comfort food.

Furthermore on the TE thing, the second most used personnel group was 22 (running back, fullback, two TEs). You saw it more on third down that any other personnel group.

But that's where it stops, with Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson. Iowa ran three tight ends just twice.

— Cornerback Matt Hankins was targeted six times and allowed six receptions. But from there, he allowed minimal yards after the catch.

The best sign for Iowa's defense is the QB pressures. Iowa picked up three sacks while rushing just four D-linemen against Iowa State.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com