Iowa notes: Ott case, Niemann status, lineman TD, Tevaun pronunciation

IOWA CITY — Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta is one of six members on the Big Ten's academics and eligibility subcommittee, which has the power to approve or deny requests for extra years of eligibility.

The group hears cases on every sport throughout the Big Ten but in Iowa's case, it's especially high profile. Defensive end Drew Ott, a first-team all-Big Ten preseason selection, is seeking a fifth year after suffering a pair of major injuries this year.

NCAA rules allow players to receive medical hardship waivers if they fail to complete 30 percent of the season before the season's midpoint. Ott played in parts of six games this year, which is over the limit. However, the amount of time Ott played in those games could leave the issue for debate.

Barta said Tuesday he won't predict the outcome of Ott's situation.

'The answer is it's a really very thoughtful group,' Barta said. 'I can tell you two things: the unique circumstances of every student are considered thoughtfully. But we also look at precedent. At the end of the day, it's what's best for the student. It has to follow precedent, it has to follow the guidelines of the rules, but it's a very, heart-wrenching, thoughtful process.

'In this case, because it involves one of our student-athletes, I'll have to recuse myself.'

The subcommittee is slated to meet Feb. 22-23, 2016 in Rosemont, Ill. If Ott's request is denied, he can appeal the decision to the NCAA's committee on student-athlete reinstatement.

Ott had surgeries to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and tendon replacement surgery in his left elbow.

INJURY FRONT

Iowa linebacker Ben Niemann left the field with help last Friday when he was struck in the head late in the first quarter by fellow linebacker Josey Jewell.

Niemann, a sophomore, was named honorable mention all-Big Ten by the coaches. He is going through concussion protocol right now, but he practiced on Tuesday, Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.

'He's doing great,' Ferentz said. 'He could always turn the other way, you never know. Those things are unpredictable, but I think he's good to go.'

Defensive end Nate Meier, who was named third team all-Big Ten by both media and coaches, is limited with 'a soft tissue issue,' Ferentz said. Meier left the field with an apparent leg injury last week.

LINING UP FOR SIX

Michigan State center Jack Allen got the thrill of a lifetime against Penn State on Saturday. Allen, a first-team all-Big Ten center, was inserted into the backfield after a Nittany Lions fumble and rumbled 9 yards for a touchdown in the Spartans' 55-16 rout of Penn State on Saturday.

ICYMI: Every center (offensive lineman, for that matter) dreams of doing what November 30, 2015

ICYMI: Every center (offensive lineman, for that matter) dreams of doing what @MSU_Football C Jack Allen does here. https://t.co/pZvVkMlkm5

— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN)

'It's something that's kind of cool for an O-lineman to do,' Allen said. 'You don't see it every day, and it just keeps everything light. It keeps everybody happy and stuff like that. But at the same time it gives a lot of fat guys like myself around college football some hope.'

The play provided Iowa counterpart Austin Blythe with an idea he presented to offensive line coach Brian Ferentz.

'I was sitting at a family dinner actually a family Christmas/Thanksgiving and one of my family members said Jack Allen scored, so I was definitely a little jealous,' Blythe said, laughing. 'I told Coach Brian the first meeting we had here for Michigan State that we'd better install that play. But I don't think that will be happening. It is what it is.'

Blythe doesn't expect to see any carries on Saturday, however.

'Just go out there and do what I can, and I will share my glory with the running backs,' he said.

TAY-VON OR TUH-VON?

Iowa senior wide receiver Tevaun Smith has spent four years with radio broadcasters and fans mispronouncing his name, and he doesn't 'even care anymore.'

'They've been calling me 'Tay-von' for a long time, since I've been playing Pop Warner,' Smith said. 'I'm used to it. Honestly, I don't even care anymore.'

For the record, his name is pronounced 'Tuh-von.'

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