The Walk Through

IOWA CITY - Let's do some 'frequently asked questions.”

Wait, before we do that, real-time update. QBs are out throwing on the field. It's chilly here, a sunny 43 degrees.

I'll keep an eye out for any surprises, but WR Tevaun Smith (sprained knee) is out today, and left tackle Boone Myers (shoulder/neck) is day-to-day.

And now wait, RB LeShun Daniels isn't out in the first wave of warmups (it's 9:19 right now). Usually, the top two RBs come out and catch some football and sprint around. Senior Jordan Canzeri is out there. Daniels isn't. Daniels did this last week and in previous weeks.

I've heard he suffered a high-ankle sprain at Iowa State, which totally explains the slow return. You're talking about almost immediately coming back from an injury that can slow you for four to five weeks.

Maybe he plays. He wasn't ruled out, but here at about 9:20, I'd say he's out.

Iowa radio just reported no LeShun Daniels today. Makes sense. Give him a chance to get right. High-ankle sprains are more serious.

Back to frequently asked questions.

OMG THEYREEEE RUNNINNN JORDANN CANZERI INTO AN EARLY GRAVE

This is a frequently asked question and, I asked it the last couple of weeks. Here's what KF said:

'Fred Russell, I don't know what he weighed, but boy,he had a lot of carries. There's nothing in terms ofphysics that says a guy can't do it. In a perfect world, ifwe've got two good backs, we'd love to rotate themboth and keep them fresh and what have you. But ifone guy carries the load, that's fine.Like I said, Fred Russell did it. Albert Young wasn't thebiggest guy sizewise, but he did a good job. It'spossible, entirely possible. It takes a tough-mindedguy, and certainly Jordan is doing that.”

I asked Canzeri this week.

'I'm fresh, I'm fine,” he said. 'Again, it's something that our medical staff does an awesome job. After every game, we all do the most we can to get our bodies back to where it can be for the next game, but I'm fresh and I'm fine.

'I'm ready to perform in any situation I'm put in and I'll do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Canzeri loves Daniels and believes Iowa is better with a healthy 1-2, but 'if I have to take more carries, I'm willing to do so.”

Of course, you know senior WR Tevaun Smith is out today. He suffered a sprained knee during North Texas and is looking at an Oct. 31 return (missing next week at Northwestern and then the bye and then Maryland).

For the second week, true freshman Jerminic Smith will see a huge rise in his profile. He was targeted four times last week with no catches. He was open but not terribly open. How much better can he get this week?

IOWAAA NEEEDSSSSSSSSSS THAT THAR DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP THREAT

It's true. Here's what QB C.J. Beathard said on Jerminic Smith:

'There were a couple of times where he did get open and I just missed him,” Beathard said. 'There was one time in the end zone, when he had a guy beat and I overthrew him. That's not a timing thing, that's a matter of me missing him. There are times, though, he and Tevaun run certain routes differently. Part of that is chemistry. Overall, I feel like we're on the same page.”

OK, more updates.

RB Derrick Mitchell sat out last week with an upper-body injury he suffered vs. North Texas. He is out there and in uniform. Looks like he's a go. RB Akrum Wadley, of course, also is out there.

Left tackle Boone Myers is out today. So that neck/shoulder/stinger thing now has claimed two games. He's not even in uniform. Junior Cole Croston, who started last week at Wisconsin, is in this week.

On last pitch for injuries from Iowa radio: High-ankle sprain for Daniels. Didn't practice this week. Has been in a boot this week and is out. T Smith is out. After bye is timetable. Sprained knee. No Myers with stinger.

Radio said Mitchell was doubtful just as he took a rep with the first unit in warmups.

Guys, I think someone is playing games here.

SHENANIGANS!!!!!!

Backup OL - RT is James Daniels for the second week. RG is Keegan Render (he's big, probably ends up living here), C is Eric Simmons, LG is Dalton Ferguson (last couple of weeks, it's been Steve Ferentz) and LT is Ryan Ward.

Back up DL and LB - DTs Kyle Terlouw, Faith Ekakitie. DEs Matt Nelson and Bud Spears. LBs - Mends, Perry and Bower.

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