The Walk Through: Scherff cleared to play

Latest word on Iowa OT Brandon Scherff is that he has a very real chance to play.

How much? Don't know. Can plans change? Yes, oh yes. But for now, sounds like at least it's a possibility coming off arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday morning.

Recap: The 6-5, 323-pound offensive tackle injured his knee in the first quarter last week while chasing down a fumble recovery that went for a TD against Iowa. Scherff stood up and then collapsed onto the Kinnick turf. He said it locked up and he didn't want to strain it any farther.

In the postgame, he said the knee locked up on him and he would have it examined Sunday morning.

Tuesday morning, KCRG-TV9's Scott Westerberg reported that Scherff had surgery. Scott then traded texts with Scherff, who told him he hoped to be back for Pitt and for sure targeted Purdue on Sept. 27.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz wouldn't confirm anything on Tuesday. During his radio show on Wednesday, he said there was still 48 hours to gametime and he hoped Scherff would play.

Practice leaks throughout the week had redshirt freshman Ike Boettger installed at left tackle (he replaced Scherff for two series and one play against Ball State. Also, late in the week, Scherff was moving around and showed potential to play.

So, how much? Don't know. Can plans change? Certainly.

We shall see soon.

Has KF totally hornswoggled us? Possibly. We'll soon see.

Check back for me stuff. Off to do WMT radio.

— OK, I'm back.

Saw Scherff coming off the bus. Distinct limp. I would be very surprised if he played.

— Oh wait, Gary Dolphin says he'll start. He said that on the Iowa radio pregame.

Don't know. I'm done.

— The Iowa QBs are on the field. I met Jake Rudock's mom while waiting for Scherff to walk by. Very nice family. Got to see them hug that one last time. Kind of a momment of perspective for me.

— CJ Beathard has the same ponytail he had last week.

But will he play? I think he does and more than the one series he got last week. That's just my guess. One series doesn't make sense.

— Saw Josey Jewell come off the bus. KF said this week he plays. He should help the Iowa defense.

— Iowa radio also said Drew Ott will start, he of the moped accident on Monday. He came out of it with stiches and avoided serious injury.

— It's warmup. Let's parse kickers. Mick Ellis from 35 middle, good. Marshall Koehn, from 40 middle, good.

As I've written all along, Koehn has the stronger leg and it's not close. Does he have the stronger makeup? That's what we're about to find out.

— I just flat out asked KF this week about more Derrick Willies.

'Yeah, got to take a good player out of there [Tevaun Smith], but the good news is there is room for both guys,' Ferentz said. 'Derrick is young, he's learning, and does some really good things. Obviously, had his first touchdown reception, but did some other things too that were really encouraging. That's what we're looking at. He's growing and improving, and that's a good thing.'

I asked the question earlier this season, about flexibility at the WR position. I would try to have Willies and Smith on the field at the same time. I think they're both great. That's what I would do. Does Willies know enough to pull that off? We'll see.

Rudock on why you can't just go to one guy in the passing game: 'You can't throw to one guy. They're going to double-cover guys. Certain defenses are meant to bracket certain guys, put two guys on him inside and out. You don't want to throw it into double coverage. Sometimes, you have to. You want to get as many one-on-one balls as you can.'

— Interesting kicker stuff: It seemed in warmups that Iowa is going to go with Mick Ellis and the short field goaler (inside of 40) and Marshall Koehn as the long distance guy (40-plus). That was how they practice. That doesn't mean that's how it goes down.

I feel like kicker is going to be a gut feel thing.

— Junior fullback Macon Plewa not in uniform. Frosh LB John Kenny started seeing time at fullback last week in practice. He looks to be the guy right now.

— ISU was told Scherff was cleared to play yesterday.

— Iowa radio on Ott: Good to go. On Scherff: Cleared to play.

— WR Riley McCarron is in uniform. He suffered a shoulder injury during the open scrimmage Aug. 16.

— Rob Brooks asks Dr. Ned Amendola about meniscus tears in the pregame radio. I wonder why?

— Kickoff time pushed back to 2:40 p.m. (CT)

— Drake Kulick, walk-on from Muscatine and former LB, is No. 2 FB.

— Kenny at FB. Weisman starter at RB.

— Scherff with the No. 1 group in team.

— Frosh LB John Kenny started seeing time at fullback last week in practice. He looks to be the guy right now.

— ISU was told Scherff was cleared to play yesterday.

OK, 2:40 kick. Scherff cleared to play and Iowa has a new fullback. Ott looked OK, some tape on his wrists. Those might have been there last week.

About 25 minutes to kick.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@sourcemedia.net