The Quickest Slant -- Big Ten teleconference

A little more on the falling down thingie late last week from MSU coach Mark Dantonio.

On guys going down at Iowa: We don't really talk about injuries too much, but I will say we've got guys nicked up, just like everybody. When you play Iowa, you're playing against a physical football team. We did have some guys go down. They got back up and played some more. Our guys will be ready to play come Saturday and physically, I think we'll be prepared as well.

Booing fans: They [injuries] were legit. Believe it or not, they were legitimate injuries, when I walked there, when we had the guy out for a couple of plays or series or whatever the case. Hard-hitting game. That's how it felt.

Quick summary of Kirk Ferentz's appearance on the Big Ten teleconference:

Opener: Michigan State played well against us. Back to work today. Challenge traveling over to Purdue. They're improving each week.

On Purdue: Couple of snapshot moments, getting ready for Minnesota, one of films used a as a primary source, impressed with way they played against Minnesota. And two, saw Ohio State film from a couple of years ago. Indicative. Defense is aggressive and can hurt you. Field goal kicker best in country. Lots of things going for them.

On Marve: I see depth and production. Both QBs are playing well. Marve came in and played well in a high-pressure situation. Showed leadership in leading them to the win.

Academic all-district: All three tremendous young guys. Good players, playing well for us. Steve [Bigach] wants medical school. James [Vandenberg] wants chiro or med school. Tyler [Nielsen] has already graduated from business school.

Stress: Our work is out there to be discussed and critiqued. There are more critiquers and watchers. There are more ways to communicate. In some ways you enjoy that stress, if you call it stress. -- physically and mentally healthy -- It's like any job. We try to accomplish something meaningful, but you have to stay balanced. All you can do is all you can do. You try to keep a healthy balance.

On Short [Purdue DT Kawan]: They've got a lot of good players up front. He's a big, physical guy. Can move well, strong and good technique. Guessing he's one of their leaders for their football team.

On Marv: It's a tribute to his work ethic. Most accurate and best thing is he's improving each and every week. He's improved dramatically this year. Playing at high level.

Do you expect Keenan to play this week? -- Yeah. oh yeah, sure. -- Same ankle -- This has been our year for ankles, for whatever reason. What he's going through is pretty much what the other guys have experienced, too. James Morris is probably has been the most notable, and now Nardo. But when they're coming off those things, it's very common for them to re-aggravate it. The good news is, it's more of a temporary set back than the initial injury. So, unless you just sit out for about eight weeks, that's part of the process. It's no fun, but he's doing fine.

Other injuries -- I think we're doing OK.

Keenan Davis was again deemed fine by Ferentz. He also was asked at TE C.J. Fiedorowicz and he said he's fine. I saw CJF walk in and he looked OK.

Look for Mika'il McCall to be a hot topic. I think he stays on the medical hardship waiver path, but that's just my opinion.

Q. Is the plan still to use McCall this year?

COACH FERENTZ: We're hoping to. Yeah, we're hoping to. Hopefully this week will present that opportunity.

Q. If he wanted to red shirt now, could he?

COACH FERENTZ: Yeah. He's been out a ton. He's got an X-ray that would prove a pretty legitimate injury. The real surprise is that he has a chance to come back, and we'll just see how things go.

I asked about jersey numbers. It's a sappy story, but you might find it amusing. Not sure when it will run, either this week or next week for Gameday. Thanks to Iowa equipment manager Greg Morris for giving me some time.

I also asked the players about Norm and what they've learned from him. The snapshot moment for them was when he returned to the team after he had his leg amputated last fall. Is this it for Norm? A very difficult question to gauge.

I think I'm writing about the Michigan State injury thingie again for tomorrow. There was some fresh reaction today. I know that will turn off some of you, but I really think it's going to need some examination. The NFL is trying to figure it out, too. Ethics is not in the rulebook, so that makes it a sound tactic, in my opinion. Many of the players I interviewed disagree. They said they couldn't allow themselves to disrespect the game. I can see that, too. It's fuzzy, to say the least.

According to HawkeyeReport.com, Florida WR Greg Mabin is commit No. . . . shoot, I forget how many.

Ferentz also talked some recruiting during the "walk off" portion of the news conference. I'll go to the tape for that in a bit.

First, lunch at Cheba Hut.