Tuesday Talk (Ferentz, Robinson video)

Robinson out -- Running back Adam Robinson is done for a while. Maybe the rest of the regular season, coach Kirk Ferentz said. Robinson is hopeful for a quick return from the high-ankle sprain he sustained against Michigan State last week.

Here's what Robinson said (BTW, Robinson has been nothing but a class act and warrior for this football team. I wish him the best in his recovery. Don't like to editorialize like that, but had to be said.):

Wegher in -- True freshman Brandon Wegher is it at running back. When asked if Wegher, who has 87 carries for 321 yards this season, is a 20- to 25-carry running back, Ferentz said, "We'll find out. He's the next guy in. He's done a real nice job. I say that jokingly; I'm really impressed with him and based on the limited exposure we have had so far, my guess is he'll rise to the challenge."

Another Ferentz thought on Wegher's toughness: "There were a lot of guys on both teams that were banged up. That was a physical game. That was a hard hitting game. We have a lot of guys. Brandon survived. He got smacked by Arizona on that screen pass. If he can survive that, he can take a lot of things. I was sold on his toughness there."

All in -- Every running back on the roster is in the mix, including junior Paki O'Meara (who's listed No. 2 and hasn't carried the ball in six games) and true freshmen Brad Rogers ("Ferentz on" link) and Josh Brown ("Ferentz on" link). We reported Saturday night that Rogers made the trip to MSU. Apparently, that was more than just a vacation. Iowa has taken true freshman QBs who are redshirting on road trips in the past. Iowa hasn't done that with RBs. If it would've come to it, Rogers was playing last week.

More Rogers, Brown -- Ferentz said Rogers is ahead of Brown in the race to whatever this would be, third-string RB but maybe more. Ferentz said both players came into camp overweight.

On Rogers: "But you know, if he's got to go in, he'll go in and do a good job. Really he's impressed us over the last eight weeks. He came in a little heavy and a little out of shape but that's not unusual for first-year players. He's really worked hard and he looks 100 percent better than did he two months ago, so I'm really impressed with his attitude and his work ethics."

On Brown (question was his body different than they thought): "Yeah. He needed a little extra fitness program."

Other than scout team, the two have had some live action in what Iowa calls "developmental," a practice period later in the week that is a live scrimmage between redshirts and other players who likely won't see action during a game.

The plan is, Ferentz hopes, to not go any farther than Wegher, who's nursing hand and rib injuries, and O'Meara.

"Nothing against Brad but I hope we don't have to go that far," Ferentz said. When asked what it would take for Rogers to play, Ferentz said, "I hope we don't find out. But we are running out of guys."

On Sandeman -- The decision on WR Colin Sandeman's availability will go the full week, Ferentz said.

I know a lot of folks are watching this one closely. Here's exactly what Ferentz said: "Colin Sandeman is probably going to take the week to determine. I'm not overly optimistic right now. But he's fine. Everything has checked out fine. They examined him with CT scans and all that stuff. He's clear there. So that's all good news."

The key phrase is "not overly optimistic." When Ferentz says that, the kid usually doesn't play.

Sandeman's main deal is punt returns. Since taking over for Paul Chaney Jr., who's out for the season with a torn ACL, Sandeman has averaged 10.6 yards on eight punt returns. He's been an asset there and will be difficult to replace.

Right now, safety Tyler Sash and cornerback Amari Spievey are in the running. Ferentz is open for suggestions there, too. (Actually, he didn't offer up Sash's name. I did, so don't say I'm not trying to help.)

Ferentz was asked about the hit by MSU's Jeremy Ware on Sandeman: "I'm not surprised. All of us are coaching the same way, that's a point of emphasis right now with the officials, and sportsmanship. Those are going to get called, just like celebrations. I don't think it was a cheap shot. It was one of those things that happens and they're calling that right now. It was a tough aggressive play and he got too high."

On Greenwood -- Safety Brett Greenwood had the most dangerous-looking injury Saturday night, a helmet-to-helmet neck-buckler with Sash. He was down on the turf for a handful of minutes. Ferentz came out and shook his hand and he was carted to the lockerroom. He's good to go, though, Ferentz said.

"Brett Greenwood should be fine. He's a little sore right now but we expect him to be full speed," Ferentz said.

Dace out -- I know this one gets to a lot of folks because Dace Richardson has been to hell and back with injuries. (He's also been nothing but a class act and wonderful spokesman for this team through some tough personal times. Hey, I didn't say I was done editorializing.) It's a broken foot. Ferentz said he could possibly be back for the bowl game. Dace does have the option for a sixth year of eligibility, but it's not something that's really been talked about yet. But if he wants it, it's there, Ferentz said.

"We haven't had that talk yet," Ferentz said. "It's clearly an option for him, and it's his option. We'd love to have him back. We'll support his decision."

DJK on kick return -- That looks like a done deal. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos replaced Wegher or Robinson, can't remember which, and returned two kicks, with a long of 26. He's not a candidate to return punts. DJK started his career on kick returns but lost the job.

"That's the best I have seen him," Ferentz said. "He's been tentative when he's been back there. It's a different routine back there. It's like punt returning, it's hard to predict. You'd think he would be good at it, but it doesn't turn out that way. You never know who has that knack. Colin does a nice job back there, he is slippery and makes good decisions."

Some stuff on Spievey -- The junior cornerback salvaged his career after a year off due to academics at Iowa Central Community College. Iowa OL coach Reese Morgan used to coach with ICCC's head coach Kevin Twait, so Iowa coaches have a comfort level with ICCC. They'll know if a player they "place" there will be on track, socially and academically.

Former Iowa WR Clinton Solomon went to ICCC. WR Demarco Paine is there now.

"The side story there is Kevin Twait and Reese worked together at one point so there is a relationship there," Ferentz said. "We have a good comfort level there. We know they will be held accountable there, and if they are not doing things the way we would hope, Kevin will be forthright with us. That is nice to know. It happens to be that school. That seems to be where it has worked out."

Ferentz was asked how Spievey is different off the field after a year away.

"A friend of mine taught school that I taught with, who is retired now. His son is a up and coming basketball coach. He is friends with the AD at Amari's school (in Connecticut) and he was there the summer before Amari came here. He said Amari didn't know we played Ohio State, Michigan or Penn State. He was an in-town guy. When he came here, this was overwhelming. Now, he has a routine, he is doing things by the numbers and taking care of business, which is good. It's a hard lesson to learn."

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