Ferentz: Practice led to DJK's non-start

MINNEAPOLIS -- The answer was short. It got to the why and that was that.

Senior wide receiver Colin Sandeman got the start over senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos in Saturday's game. Johnson-Koulianos just didn't start, so it didn't seem to be a punishment.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz put it in simple terms.

"Sandeman had a better week of practice," Ferentz said.

So, Johnson-Koulianos didn't start. He certainly played. In fact, without the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder's contributions, Iowa would've been sunk way before the fourth quarter.

With Iowa down 10-0, Johnson-Koulianos caught a 7-yard TD pass from quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Then, after Iowa trailed 17-7, DJK returned a kick 88 yards for a TD, the second kick return TD of his career.

Johnson-Koulianos was shoved into a table on Iowa's sideline by UM cornerback Troy Stoudermire, who was called for holding on the play. A kicker on Iowa's sideline grabbed DJK before he retaliated.

Johnson-Koulianos finished with three catches for 34 yards. Sandeman caught one pass for 10 yards.