Ferentz on Petros & Money: Wegher remains absent

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz told the Petros & Money, a sports radio show out of southern California, on Friday night that sophomore running back Brandon Wegher remains out of camp.

Here's a link to the general area of Petros & Money. It's worth the price of admission just to hear Ferentz answer the question "What's cracking in Iowa?" Make sure you tune in for that. Wacky stuff.

Anyway, here's what Ferentz said on the show (you can interpret, I'm probably not good at this):

"He (Wegher) came back and practiced a couple days and just . . . heart wasn't into it," Ferentz said. "We've visited a couple time since. He is going to be in school, at least his intentions are to be in school this Monday and start classes. I've encouraged him first of all to do that, go to class and stay in good standing academically, continue to pursue his degree and to take whatever time he needs to work through whatever it is he's working through.

"We have nothing about strong feelings for Brandon. He's a valued team member. We're hopeful he chooses at some point to return to the team and get back to football. That being said, too, I'm totally respectful of his intentions and desires. I think he needs a little time and space right now to sort a few things out."

Wegher has been out of camp since Aug. 7. He returned to Dakota Dunes sometime last week, but might have returned to his home in Iowa City on Friday.

The fall semester at the UI starts Monday, that might trigger some sort of decision either way.

Iowa had a practice at 9 p.m. Friday night at Kinnick Stadium. Ferentz's next availability to Iowa media is Tuesday, Aug. 31.

It's easy to run with this and believe Wegher is done for 2010, but if you read it, there's nothing definitive.

My best guess is this remains Wegher's decision and the Iowa staff is giving him plenty of space to make that decision.

He could very well end up in school and not on the football team this fall.

This will play out to a decision either way probably very soon.