Spearman arrested

Iowa sophomore linebacker Reggie Spearman was charged with operating while intoxicated this morning in Iowa City.

The 6-3, 230-pounder was pulled over and arrested by Iowa City Police at Burlington and Madison Street at 12:01 this morning. Spearman, a Chicago native, has started all seven games this season. Spearman is eighth on the team with 34 tackles.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz released a statement Saturday afternoon.

'I was disappointed to hear of the charges against Reggie,” Ferentz said. 'Reggie will face a minimum one game suspension, as well as other consequences within the program. We will work with authorities in gathering all the facts. Reggie will go through the UI Student Athlete Code of Conduct process and we will move forward from there.”

At 12:01 Saturday morning, Iowa City Police pulled Spearman over on his moped for an expired registration and no safety flag, according to the complaint. Officers noted 'watery, bloodshot eyes, smelled of ingested alcohol, and was wearing two bar wristbands.”

Spearman admitted to consuming alcohol and offered 'to just walk home.” The complaint states that Spearman exhibited 'measurable impairment” on field sobriety tests and failed a preliminary breath test with a BrAC of .087 percent. Spearman refused an evidentiary breath test.

Iowa (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) is on a bye this week. It resumes its season against Northwestern next Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com