Video: Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz; Tyler Sash provides spark on Iowa's special teams

Injuries have shredded Iowa's special teams this year almost as much as it has the team's offense.

Kick returner Paul Chaney Jr., who handled both kickoffs and punts, was lost for the season with a knee injury against Michigan. His replacement at punt returner, wide receiver Colin Sandeman, suffered a concussion on a vicious hit at Michigan State. Iowa has tried wide receiver Keenan Davis and cornerback Amari Spievey at punt returner, but now seems set on sophomore safety Tyler Sash in that role.

Against Northwestern, Sash returned four punts for 16 yards, including one for 11 yards.

“I thought Tyler did a good job,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “That was a bright spot.

“(Sash) did a nice job fielding the punts, looked confident and decisive. And Colin's demonstrated an ability to do that, too.”

Sash said the coaches asked him if he was confident returning kicks before inserting him in that role.

“I feel like I can go back there and I'm trying to help the team out in any way that I can, just to give us spark,” he said. “Basically, I'm just reading the football. If there's some backspin on it you're trying to get away from it.

“If I felt comfortable fielding it, then field it. If not, then just tell everybody I'm not fielding it and just get away so it didn't hit off the back of them.”

Ferentz said if Sandeman is healthy enough to return punts, it's undetermined which player would fill that role this week.

Iowa ranks seventh among Big Ten teams in punt returns at 7.8 yards a return. But one of those includes defensive end Adrian Clayborn blocking a punt and returning it 53 yards for a touchdown at Penn State.