McNutt enjoys career day

IOWA CITY -- Marvin McNutt finally got off “the schneid,” the term for losing streak or something-not-exactly-positive streak.

No one outside the Iowa program had the sophomore wide receiver on “the schneid.” Hey, he's new here. He's in only his second season at the position. But when defensive end Adrian Clayborn scored a touchdown against Penn State last week, the schneid showed up in the locker room.

McNutt and Clayborn are from St. Louis, Mo., and played high school football there. Of course, they chide each other. That's how locker rooms work.

“I saw Adrian, I said, ‘How'd you get your first touchdown before I got my first touchdown?'” McNutt laughed. “Everybody always laughs about it, but it was just great just to finally get one today.”

McNutt can go even one better. He know leads former St. Louis preps in touchdowns for Iowa after TD grabs of 41 and 43 yards in the No. 13 Hawkeyes' 24-21 victory Saturday over Arkansas State.

McNutt finished with four catches for 121 yards and two TDs. He's the first Iowa receiver to break 100 yards since Derrell Johnson-Koulianos went for 181 against Minnesota last season.

“He made some very difficult, tough catches,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “That's something you hope a big receiver can do.”

In five games, different players have led the Hawkeyes in receiving - tight end Tony Moeaki, wide receiver Trey Stross, Johnson-Koulianos, wide receiver Colin Sandeman and McNutt. Ferentz said Moeaki, who's missed the last three games with an ankle injury, has a realistic chance to return next week.

That should solidify what's becoming a receiver relay team for quarterback Ricky Stanzi.

“Every guy in the receiving corps can play,” McNutt said. “It's not just because I made good plays today that I'm going to automatically (become the main target). It's whoever works the hardest during the week. It's whoever (wide receiver) coach (Erik) Campbell thinks can produce the most.”

It's really ebb and flow at wide receiver.

Johnson-Koulianos didn't see much if any time in the first half and caught one pass for 27 yards. Freshman Keenan Davis saw his first passes in three weeks, catching two for 34 yards.

It was McNutt's day.

“What I think he brings to the table is that cool, collected attitude the way people usually describe Rick (Stanzi),” said Stross, who caught a 33-yard TD Saturday. “We have that at receiver with him.”