Coker ready to carry the load for Hawks, if needed

IOWA CITY -- During his record-breaking season, Shonn Greene carried the ball 307 times. In 13 games, he hit the 30-carry mark twice.

In nine career games, sophomore Marcus Coker has two 30-plus carry outings, last season's Insight Bowl (33 carries, 219 yards) and last week against Iowa State (35 carries, 140 yards).

This is exactly what Coker, a 6-foot, 230-pounder signed up for.

"I feel like we're one of those teams that gets stronger as the game goes on," Coker said. "The offensive line gets stronger, and so I have to keep up with them."

The 30-carries thing will be a difficult pace to keep, especially considering Coker's bruising running style. He doesn't shy from contact.

"The quickest way to the end zone is north and south," Coker said. "I'm not a speedy guy. I'm not going to run sideline to sideline and try to get extra yards."

Coach Kirk Ferentz wants to find Coker some help. With the loss of true freshman Mika'il McCall, that's tricky. McCall hammered Tennessee Tech in the opener with 61 yards on nine carries before suffering a possible season-ending ankle injury.

Junior walk-on Jason White is listed as the No. 2. Freshmen De'Andre Johnson and Damon Bullock are probably next. Don't rule out true freshman Jordan Canzeri, a 5-9, 175-pounder who is still on the redshirt track. If Iowa needs him, it will put him in the backfield.

"We've got Jason, and Damon Bullock is the next guy in, and then after that we'll go with D'Andre Johnson or Jordan Canzeri. That's kind of where it ends."

Coker is going with the flow on this. He said he's prepared for 30 carries, but Iowa running backs have had just six 30-plus carry games in the last four-plus seasons. Coker and Greene have done it twice. Adam Robinson carried 31 times at Michigan last season. Albert Young carried 34 times against Michigan State in 2007.

"If they come in the game, great," said Coker, who averages 3.93 yards a carry this season. "If they don't, then I just have to be ready to carry the ball as many times as they need me to."