The Spotlight Dance

Iowa OT Dace Richardson vs. Northern Iowa DE James Ruffin

Dace Richardson (sr.) 

Dimensions -- 6-foot-6, 305 pounds

Position -- Right tackle (where suspended senior Kyle Calloway is supposed to be)

Back story -- Richardson has a chance to be one of the best stories in college football this year.

His last game was Oct. 19, 2007, the only game he's played in the last two seasons. He's had a few knee surgeries, including a realignment that needed extensive rehab. He is a fifth-year senior, but he's eligible for a sixth year if he chooses (and hey, it's been two years, so let's see what happens).

After announcing during the 2008 Big Ten media day that Richardson had a setback with this knee, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said, ""You always feel terrible any time someone's career has ended prematurely."

Last December, on the beach during the Outback Bowl trip, Richardson described his surgery:

“They took my bone and cut it and shifted it over to relieve stress on it,” he said. “All the pounding I was doing  was tearing away at my cartilage. It was starting to give me some deep bone bruising and that was preventing me from playing well.”

But he also said he was targeting a spring 2009 return. When asked about Richardson that week, Ferentz was much more optimistic.

Richardson, who will have the option to apply for a sixth year of eligibility, played guard during spring practice. He's been right tackle all fall camp. He'll likely slide inside when Calloway returns.

But here's the thing, he's back.

"Anytime you add a guy that's a veteran guy like him, a senior player, it's a great thing," Ferentz said this week. "It's a good story, and I just hope he has a great year."

James Ruffin (sr.)

Dimensions -- 6-4, 263 pounds

Position -- Defensive end

Back story -- All studly FCS programs have a "guy." The guy is an NFL prospect, a banner carrier and someone who lifts a unit and a program with sheer physical nature. Ruffin is UNI's "guy."

"He should be the one guy you don't want to face and the one guy you want to start building your team if you started from scratch," UNI coach Mark Farley said.

Ruffin racked up 10 sacks as a last season while being named Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year. He also had 18 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He has 14.5 career sacks, is on the Ted Hendricks DE Award watch list and is a Buck Buchanan Award (top defender in FCS) candidate.

"James has the pass rushing ability," said Farley. "He has the strength and size, and he's just so multi-talented. Yet he gives to the team in leadership and things you need, as well."

Judges?

Richardson knows he's got a tough assignment on his first day back at work.

"He brings a lot of intensity and from watching film, he seems like a very good athlete," Richardson said. "So, I've just got to get out on my pass steps and in the run game just got to stay low and keep moving my feet."

Ruffin is fast, strong and his stats say he's developed the art of the pash rush. Before the knee detour, Richardson was on track for an all-Big Ten, NFL draft pick kind of career. He played as a true freshman. He looked like a fixture until the knee went wonky in 2006, limiting him to just eight starts that season.

The edge goes to Ruffin. This will be Richardson's first game in nearly two years. Keep in mind that Richardson has seen Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn plenty the last three weeks. That has to be worth something. Richardson's progress will be well worth charting.