Prater just runs

Shaun Prater's job on the Iowa football team is basically running.

As a cornerback, there's running every play, whether it's a pass play or not. He's also on punt coverage and punt defense. He was on kick coverage for a while. He lobbying coaches for a spot on kick return. Iowa will have an opening there next season when Derrell Johnson-Koulianos graduates, so why not?

"I'm the type of player where the more I'm helping the team, the more better I play," the junior said. "In high school (Omaha Central), I did everything. I was kick return, kick cover, punt return, punt D and I was the holder. I did everything."

Prater is one of a handful of starters the Hawkeyes have left on special teams this season. It is a lot of running.

Prater traces his stamina to high school track workouts.

"My high school track coach would try to kill us," he said. "Football is nothing compared to that. Football has nothing on it."

The killer workout was a mile with a 10-minute rest and then an 800, 400, 200 and 40.

"I almost quit," Prater said. "I'm glad I'm playing football to this day."