Ferentz eager to get at special teams (and notes, including No. 2 RB)

IOWA CITY -- Special teams factored directly into two losses last season for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Yes, it was near the top of Kirk Ferentz's list of things to do this spring.

As much as a team can do on special teams during spring practice, when those injured players definitely don't see that duty and without a class of 23 incoming freshmen who could fortify those squads.

Still, Ferentz hasn't erased the 2010 special teams performance, which was as uneven as a midnight hike in the Grand Canyon.

"We haven't worried about or return guys, kick or punt, but we've put a little extra time in our kickoff coverage team, knowing that the guys out there practicing [might not be the same players who end up there in August," Ferentz said. "We wanted to emphasize it and went back and showed them some clips. We reviewed and tried to learn and we'll continue that through August.

"I'll just say this: We can't play special teams next year like we did last year and expect to be playing in a bowl game or having a good year. It just won't work."

Saturday's scrimmage was no gauge for coverage or return units. There were no live punts or kickoffs. Ferentz said there would be opportunities for incoming freshmen.

"We'll do whatever we have to do," Ferentz said of using as many as six, seven or eight true frosh. "I know this, we have to cover kicks better than we did last year, consistently."

Kickers were close, with junior Trent Mossbrucker edging sophomore Mike Meyer hitting 5 of 6 (one miss from 36 yards left hash) to Meyer's 4 of 6 (misses from 36 yards left hash and 42 right hash).

"Mike Meyer has done a good job all spring and Trent is right behind him," Ferentz said. "Mike right now is the starter."

Iowa didn't try a lot of punts with Saturday's gusting wind twisting almost everything that went up in the air (including garbage from the bleachers, which went straight up into the air even with the press box).

Senior Eric Guthrie booted one with the wind to his back from the offense's 42 and had it fair caught by safety Micah Hyde (Ferentz said, BTW, there's no definitive answer on if he's staying at free safety) at the 9-yard line.

Redshirt freshman Jonny Mullings had to punt into the wind and put out a respectable 38-yarder that was fielded by wide receiver Keenan Davis.

"Eric Guthrie, from where he was three years ago [to now], it's unbelievable," Ferentz said. "He'll probably be like James [quarterback James Vandenberg] with some ups and downs early, but he's shown us he can be a good punter, so we're excited about him."

No. 2 RB -- Incomplete stats from Saturday make it difficult to gauge the running backs performance. Junior Jason

 White and redshirt freshman De'Andre Johnson showed quick feet and vision. Both runners read the cutback well.

White, a walk-on from Davenport, started when the No. 1 offense lined up against the No. 2 defense in the timed portion of the scrimmage. He rushed for 9 yards and had a 14-yarder called back after a holding call. Johnson, who redshirted last fall after ACL surgery as a high school senior, got two carries during this portion and logged 8 yards.

"We clearly have to develop some depth there," Ferentz said. "Jason White has really made some strides and improved. De'Andre Johnson has miles to go, but right now you can see he looks more like what we hoped he'd look like. He's healthy now and moving around a little, but he's got a lot to learn. He's showing some potential, too."

Iowa does have four incoming freshman running backs -- Damon Bullock, Jordan Canzeri (who was at Kinnick and is maybe 5-7), Rodney Coe and Mika'il McCall.

"Someone in the freshman class, it's realistic to think one or two of those guys might help us next year as well," Ferentz said.

On Scherff -- Redshirt freshman Brandon Scherff is the newbie on the O-line. He started Saturday with sophomore Nolan MacMillan sitting out with an orthopedic issue, according to Ferentz.

Scherff is big (6-5, 310) and athletic, but there's a ways to go.

"Right now, of the five, he's fifth, just as far as his tempo," Ferentz said. "He looks like a younger guy. He's not reacting as quickly to things as you might like, but he has good potential, is coachable and works hard. I think these 15 days will really help. I expect him to be a much better player in August and he should be. We're going to need him to take another step for sure and a couple more guys from that group do the same thing." 

Binns boys -- Broderick Binns and Marcus Binns are brothers.

Yes, Broderick, the 6-2, 261-pound senior defensive end, and Marcus, a 5-11, 190-pound walk-on redshirt freshman running back, are brothers.

Marcus walked on last fall. Saturday, he lined up as the No. 2 and sometimes No. 3 running back.

No, Broderick didn't get a chance to tackle Marcus.

"I thought he did well," Broderick said. "I never got to hit him, though. The last play, we made eye contact and I was hoping he was going to run my way, but it ended up being a pass play, so it didn't happen."