On Iowa with Marc Morehouse

I can't talk to Paul Chaney now . . .

After reading this story, I'm completely baffled by Kirk Ferentz's decision to keep freshmen and redshirt freshmen off limits. Instead of the entire state writing about Paul Chaney this week, we'll pick through the carcass of what's not working.

After reading this story, I might just roll it up the flagpole again this week. Why not?

Headline: Recruit's strange year

Byline: Marc Morehouse

Source: The Gazette

What a crazy, wonderful, exhilarating, terrifying year and a half for the Chaneys.

While Paul Jr. was winning sprint state titles for St. Louis University High School, Paul Sr. was in Afghanistan training Afghan brigades.

In December 2004, Susan Chaney, Paul Jr.'s mom, suffered third-degree burns on her hands during a grease fire. Paul Jr. took over kitchen duty. Paul Sr. came home on an emergency furlough for a month while Susan recuperated.

Paul Sr., an Army major and 22-year member of the Armed Forces, had to rejoin his Missouri National Guard unit on Christmas day.

Merry Christmas and goodbye.

Last May, Paul Jr. won the 100- (10.52 seconds) and 200-meter (21.25) dashes at the Missouri state track meet, posting the state's fifth- and sixth-fastest times for those events. He finished third in the 400 (48.69), scoring 26 of his team's 46 points to lead SLUH to third place, its best performance at the state meet.

In Afghanistan, Paul Sr. blew off the nine-hour time difference and stayed up until 4 a.m. to follow the meet through the Internet and cell phone calls.

Two months later, after a little more than a year in Afghanistan, Paul Sr. returned home, but not without a scare when a Humvee he was supposed to be on hit a land mine and was destroyed.

"I dedicated every race to my dad last season," Paul Jr. said. "It motivated me. He was doing something far better, way bigger, than what I was doing. It took a lot of heart and bravery."

Today, Paul Jr. will sign a national letter of intent to play football for the University of Iowa.

"Paul's been playing football since he was 6, and I never missed a game. I missed his whole junior year," said Paul Sr., a pharmaceutical sales rep based in Swansea, Ill. "Being over there, it was a bittersweet year for all of us."

Seeing firsthand what speed did for Penn State's offense and what Ted Ginn has done for Ohio State'sspecial teams, Iowa coaches wanted to upgrade team speed in this recruiting class. Paul Chaney Jr. will do that when he steps foot on campus this summer.

He received scholarship offers in track from Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor and Nebraska. Because of his speed, he received football offers from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan State.

Chaney ran an unofficial 21.1 200, which would have snapped a Missouri state record established in 1968.

He was credited with a 10.1-second 100 meters and set a Metro Catholic Conference record with a 10.4.

Chaney played quarterback for SLUH, completing 44 of 88 pass attempts for 564 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. He rushed for 688 yards and 12 touchdowns on 141 carries.

His football recruiting picked up after his performance last summer at the Nike Camp in Manhattan, Kan. He earned camp MVP honors, running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash.

Chaney, 5-foot-9-1/2, 165 pounds, plans to run for the Iowa track team, fitting the outdoor season around spring football practice.

"Most schools wanted me to focus on one or the other," Chaney said. "I told the Iowa coaches what I wanted to do as far as running and playing. They were really open about it.

"I really trust the coaches up there and believe them, and that's what made my decision to go to Iowa much easier."

Chaney has had serious track aspirations since he bloomed as an eighth grader.

"I want to take it as far as I can," he said. "I've been told by many and I think I could eventually compete at the highest level. I just have to work hard and ride both track and football out as far as possible."

About three years ago, Ray Armstead, a St. Louis native and Olympic gold medalist on the 1984 USA 1,600 relay, started coaching Chaney on the track. He didn't charge for his services.

With state titles and jaw-dropping times, Chaney is advertising that Armstead can't buy.

"I think he can be an elite athlete in the 400 meters," Armstead said. "He's big enough and strong enough to play both track and football. They don't hurt each other. He can thrive in both."

Armstead said the 4.33 40 Chaney logged at the Nike Camp is just the start. He said when Chaney is in top track form he'd probably be closer to the 4.2 range, an outrageous, almost unbelievable time.

"He will do what it takes to be the best - football, track, whatever," Armstead said. "He's not afraid of working hard."

Paul Sr. and Susan Chaney are from Indianapolis. Susan ran track in junior high. One of her early teachers was late Olympic great Wilma Rudolph.

"We looked at Penn State's model with speed and what Ohio State and Teddy Ginn has done, speed is a factor," Paul Sr. said. "Those guys aren't the biggest guys out there, either. They're built around speed."

Speed is a trait a lot of Iowa's 19 signees share. Michigan wide receiver Anthony Bowman, another Iowa recruit, has run the 40 in 4.5 seconds. Several Hawkeye recruits have 40s in the 4.55 range.

Paul Sr. can't wait to sit back and watch. The Desert Storm veteran will be up for a promotion with the Missouri National Guard in about a year. But with two grown kids - daughter Peyton is 12 - Paul Sr. is thinking seriously about retirement.

"I think we're looking at a lot of trips to Iowa City," Paul Sr. said. "I don't want to miss a thing."

Animal House trivia . . .

How Bob Brooks and his tape recorder made it out of that . . .

I know health has been a factor for Adrian Clayborn this year. He hasn't been 100 percent. If he was two percent Saturday, then it's time to take the bubble wrap off this guy.

Bradley Fletcher had 13 tackles and more than held his own. Jacody Coleman reminds me of Fred Barr, the last true freshman to play middle linebacker for Iowa. Christian Ballard did some nice things.

Chad Geary did some really nice things. And I'm not just saying that because my daughter's fifth-grade teacher is a Mrs. Geary from Tipton.

But the youngsters are the cover of the book.

The chapters and spine were Albert Young and Mike Humpal.

I think I read it on a messageboard earlier tonight and I'll give credit where credit is due. It was Albert Young's finest hour. You guys probably don't remember the story I did on Albert before last season. I don't think The Gazette was free on the internets back then. The path he took to get here was not the path of pampered sports camps and mall weekends. This is a self-made kid. Single-parent household, Section 8 housing, a dank weightroom in an old school and a lot of people who cared. What a fantastic example for freshman Jevon Pugh. This is how it's done, boys.

I didn't get in on the Albert interview. Ferentz was doing his talking, but I heard he called me out for picking against them. Text me next time, Albert. I'll let you call your shot. I owe you that much.

Mike Humpal won't win the Bronko Nagurski (I wanted to name my son Bronko but my wife has a PhD, so you know that wasn't going to fly) this week but he should. Eighteen tackles again, same as Illinois, when he won two national D-player of the week awards.

But here's something else and I think this little insight might be why you guys pay so much for the blog (tongue in cheek, firmly). Seconds, nano seconds really, before MSU's third-down snap on their possession in the second overtime, Humpal spotted the formation the Spartans were lined up in and started tapping both hands on his helmet, like he was trying to swat gnats. This was a defensive call for what to do against this particular formation. Pretty soon, everyone along the front seven was doing this. Whatever the head tapping was, it worked. Clayborn and linebacker Bryon Gattas combined on a sack, pushing MSU to fourth-and-13 and one last chance that Drew Gardner -- Drew freaking Gardner -- snuffed out.

Humpal, miracle of modern science with that osteotomized knee, is hitting his stride as a football player. I don't know if I should go here, but he's Greenway without the Hodge. You guys might debate me, but at this point and time with this defense and this team, I would argue that Humpal is at Greenway's level, and maybe performing better in pass coverage. Crazy talk? Maybe, but it's early Sunday morning and why not?

For as much as Jake Christensen struggled, he brushed it all off and threw that 23-yard score to Paul Chaney to tie things up in the first OT. Quarterbacks are basically throwing the balls through windows, the lane that opens up to the wideout. It took a second for this window to open, but when it did, Christensen timed the ball perfectly, throwing just before Chaney was out of his break, and delivered a laser. So, yeah, I know you guys have probably fired Christensen, but that throw and the chutzpah to call it and get it done shows there is something there. At least that's what I saw. Oh, nice run after the catch by Chaney, who won his first letter at Iowa while sprinting for the track team last spring. In high school, he played QB, RB and DB, never WR.

I think the sacred cow days are over, for now. Players played Saturday. Freshmen, seniors, walk-ons who transferred in from Widener University (Gardner), players played.

Give this team credit . . .

Can they finish?

17-17 going into the fourth. Can they finish?

Albert Young . . .

Young has 18 carries for 129 yards, 7.2 yards a rush.

Maybe Ferentz's halftime blow up with officials jarred something loose?

Never pass again

OK, maybe one more time.

Who knows . . .

He could've been screaming about . . .

His quarterback. Jake Christensen completed 1 of 7 for 9 yards. He missed two throws on the first drive. He missed TE Brandon Myers for a possible TD on a third-and-2 pass from Iowa's 28 early in the second quarter. Myers was open, Christensen was pressured and the ball was nearly intercepted. That's Iowa football this season, folks. Open, pressure, disaster. On a second-and-1 from MSU's 24, Christensen badly over-led Myers for what probably would've been a TD. Iowa had third-and-1 just outside MSU's 10. A Myers' false start, a Julian Vandervelde holding penalty and it was third-and-16 from the 26. Christensen threw one away on this third down when WR Paul Chaney Jr. was covered.

The defense, don't go anywhere. MSU QB Brian Hoyer, like Christensen, is a first-year starter. He completed 10 of 13 for 142 yards. RB Javon Ringer ran for 60 yards. The Spartans had 14 first downs to three for Iowa, which went three-and-out on 5 of 6 first-half possessions. In a nutshell, everything worked for the Spartans. Iowa rotated a ton of young players on defense. It's probably time to look to the future. What else is there?

Repeat, Christensen is 1 of 7 for 9 yards at halftime. How far do you have to go back to find a worse half by an Iowa quarterback.

Jehuu Caulcrick . . .

Iowa's offense has six.

I'm really starting to wonder . . .

Coaches would rather admit to cross dressing than rebuilding, but when do you flip the switch to younger players who are going to be part of digging out of this?

Another Iowa DB giving up a big play with his back to the line of scrimmage. 180 over 124 -- defensive backs coach Phil Parker's blood pressure.

Shada is out with an ankle injury.

Iowa had the wind in that quarter. Did anyone notice? Michigan State didn't seem to. MSU had 176 total yards in the first quarter; Iowa had minus-1.

Before we forget, what was C Rafael Eubanks trying to do on that block on DE Ervin Baldwin on that sack? It'll get buried in the general responsibility. Something, something, communication.

Where are the students?

Freshman WR Colin Sandeman is in this week. WR Trey Stross is out and working. Keep in mind, he has had a partially torn hamstring.

Iowa defers. The wind is out of the north.

This is the sixth Big Ten game and Iowa has yet to score a rushing TD. Michigan State leads the league with 12. What does that say about this game? It's uphill for Iowa, that's what it says.

The sun is out here . . .

Outside linebacker A.J. Edds is playing today. His left arm is heavily wrapped after suffering an elbow injury last week. Running back Albert Young is good to go.

Periphery Week 9

The only network TV I'm watching these days is Thursday nights on NBC. I think "My Name is Earl" has passed "The Office." "30 Rock" is hilarious. Alec Baldwin is worth the price of admission. Don't watch "Scrubs." Even my wife has given up on that.

Any good movies lately? I've quit going. I prefer DVDs anymore. I prefer being able to pause and take a trip to the fridge or wherever. Got "Knocked Up" this week, the DVD, of course.

Could've played golf today. Couldn't get off the couch. Thursday was all whacked with a trip to UNI for men's hoops media day. The Panthers need some newbies to come through. If they're good, I'll probably have to make the drive to Wichita State this year. Thank God for iPods.

Of course, I could be busy with an Iowa bowl bid. What? You guys sound skeptical.

Dreary tailgate day. Are you guys allowed to burn wood? If you were, it'd be a good day for that.

From the iPod (no theme immediately jumps to mind this week, it's just one of those weeks):

"Up in Michigan" -- Chappaquiddick Skyline. "If you could hear me laughing, I'm gonna break your spirit. I'm gonna break you down." Wow, I'm not making that one up. A Michigan-titled song with a gloomy theme. That was on the first try.

"Lake Michigan" -- Rogue Wave. "No one is on Lake Michigan. You labored on, Lake Michigan." Much more uplifting. Shimmery pop. Probably wouldn't make the cut for a tailgate, unless it's early in the morning.

"Bad Days" -- The Flaming Lips. "You're sorta stuck where you are, but in your dreams you can buy expensive cars or live on Mars and have it your way." I think this is from one of the "Batman" movies, maybe the Val Kilmer "Batman," which blows my mind in retrospect. Kilmer? Batman? Don't see it.

"Good Grief" -- The Foo Fighters. "Handed down the crown, given the jewels and the answers of May. The thought of being ousted comes and goes and goes and goes. When I think about it, the wind blows. Hate it." OK, that might fight the 3-5, 1-4 theme. Forgot I even had this disc.

"The Bar's on Fire" -- The Bottle Rockets. "Oh my God, the bar's on fire. Somebody save the beer." It's a bluesy ode to at least one integral element of the tailgate experience.

Libation

Gluek Golden Light -- I think I saw this right, $9.99 a case at Hy-Vee. It caught my eye. Judging by the reviews from my friends at "Beeradvocate," I'm glad I passed. ChrisH offers, "This beer smells like it came out of a rusty aluminum can that had been sitting in the sun for a long, long time. And there is a funk to the taste that you may not grasp completely on the first can, but by number 3 (even if it's consumed days later) you will fully understand the horror that is Gluek golden light. Is that a hint of rotten bananas? Paid 5 bucks for a 12 pack figuring to unwind on the cheap. never made it to #4. Tried to pass it off to friends when they stopped by, they poured it down the drain after a few sips. And these are friends who, like myself, appreciate cheap swill. This is by far the worst beer I have ever consumed. I am 35 and have been drinking the cheap stuff half my life."

And this from TastyTaste: "It's about 10:42 in the morning here, and my head is still pounding from this crap. Another light adjuncty lager, that proudly proclaims "Low Carb" right below the rim of the can. Light yellow in color, fizzy, yellow, not there. Taste isn't much but adjunct nastiness. Not worth it, even at $9.99 a case."

You've been warned.

Impressed by two people in the last week or so . . .

We had a long phone conversation last week. Veronica and her husband, Kenneth, are from Nigeria. This football stuff is pretty new to them. Kenny didn't start playing in Texas until high school, which is way late by Texas standards.

She has a different outlook on all this. One that, I think, makes a lot of sense and that people can draw strength from in a time like this.

"This is what I tell the kids when I see them coming, make sure your chin is up high. One thing in life, when everything is going so smoothly and you don't have any obstacles, when the obstacles come, you won't know how to handle it. Yes, we would love to have a win, but, yes, we would also love for the kids to grow up, learn it and, if you don't win it this year, there's next year and the year after.

"The bottomline is for them to have confidence in themselves, knowing that they go out there and do their best. For me, that's all I ask. Stay healthy, do your best. Their best might not be good enough for my next-door neighbor, but guess what? The person playing it can say, yes, I did my best and that's what's most important. From a parent's point of view, I would like my child to be healthy than get in there and get hurt."

Last season, Kenny Iwebema missed a huge chunk and had shoulder surgery. He might miss Michigan State after suffering a concussion last week.

No worries. The Iwebemas will still be at Kinnick.

"Kenny got hurt last year, but that wasn't the end of life. That wasn't the end of life. When I see him on the field, I cheer for him to go out there and do his best. That's all anyone can ask for. Go out there and do their best. Listen to what your coaches tell you. Do what your coaches tell you."

This interview was before Purdue. I couldn't fit them in the story I wrote last week. Reading those thoughts tonight (Thursday), I'm even more impressed with Veronica Iwebema.

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The Iowa assistant coaches don't talk to the media often. Offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe is right up there with Punxsutawney Phil. (Kirk Ferentz is right, though. Coach O'Keefe wasn't front and center during 8-0 Big Ten 2002 or Citrus Bowl -- I'm done calling it Capital One -- miracle He just doesn't do media, right or wrong, that's how it is. I don't really care either way anymore. I stopped fighting that fight a few years ago.)

So, when wide receivers coach Lester Erb spoke to the media Tuesday, I expected to see an exasperated man, edgy, defensive and short with his answers.

I was wrong, wrong and wrong.

Coach Erb was affable and approachable. He made a joke about his hair turning gray because of the wicked turnover his receivers have experienced this season (what, are they 10 deep now at WR?). He offered observations and truths. No, he's not happy, either. Yes, he would like to have a few receivers who aren't freshmen. But he's not beating himself over the head, or at least didn't seem to be Tuesday.

He sees an upside to his group. And it's there. It might be more visible next season, but it's there, you can't deny it. DJK is electric. Cleveland is smooth. Chaney has terrific receiver skills for a kid who didn't play receiver at St. Louis University High School and won his first varsity letter at Iowa as a sprinter on the track team. Stross is a unique skill package. Sandeman is an Ed Hinkel starter kit. Brodell clearly had turned the corner before his injury.

"I think the great thing about it is these guys have such a big upside. Really, the one thing these guys have lacked coming in here is getting that game experience and obviously they're getting that game experience now.

"I think in any area when you're putting young players on the field, you're going to struggle whether it's in the pass game, whether it's in special teams, whether it's in the run game. Until those guys get that experience and the game slows down for them a little bit, there are going to be some inconsistencies. But, I've really been happy with the way the guys have been working and have been playing out there. I mean we've made some mistakes, but they're out there competing. That's all you can ask for."

I don't know if that's what some of you guys are looking for. I get the feeling some of you want fire and brimstone and tears and blood and spittle from coaches. They have those moments. I'm sure the only snorts players hear from Ferentz in practice are snorts of anger. But can you see the investment here? Can you see that coaches are close to and might even actually care about their players? They're not going torch them in public. They are going coach the heck out of them and try to make something out of them, but they have their backs, too. You get that, right?

You want answers. I want to find those answers for you. But try to remember, there are no incubators in football. Sometimes, time really does take time.

My first hockey in seven months . . .

I'll have more substance tomorrow or tomorrow night.

I lost my temper a little bit today with some folks who gave it to me pretty good about some of the stuff I've been writing lately. It wasn't anything horrible, I just like to think I've progressed. It's part of the job to be called an idiot on a regular basis. I thought I had that compartmentalized. I didn't today. So, if you see me eating lunch downtown tomorrow, call me an idiot. I've got to thicken up the skin again.

Tired of looking at Purdue game blog stuff?

One thing I learned this weekend -- along with hopelessness of the West Lafayette landscape -- is that everyone else has really great blog names. The Press-Citizen dudes have way-cool blog names. Andy Hamilton's "Player to be Named Later" is brilliant. Pat Harty's "People are Strange" is an ode to The Doors' tune and perfectly captures his personality.

OK, you know where this is going. I'm taking nominations.

All I have so far is "Odd Man Rush," which says everything you need to know about me. Love hockey and I'm an odd man. Alas, this isn't a hockey blog. I've used "Quick Slants" for bit notes over the years. That might work. So might "Clipboard Carrier." (I wasn't the backup QB in high school.)

In the span of two weeks, I've been given all three "Kings of Leon" discs. I guess I'd better give them a listen.

Do the Cubs gave a new owner yet?

OK, that ought to do it. I've bored you out of Purdue flashbacks. Back to regularly scheduled programming.

When Ferentz talks execution . . .

Eight plays, 80 yards, 3:02. Hot quarterback to white-hot receiver for six.

Start the bus.

Painter . . .

Edds hurt, too

Jeremiha Hunter replaced Edds.

Jake . . .

Albert . . .

Kenny Iwebema is out

That last play to Bryant was just a brilliant throw by Painter. Brilliant.

Iwebema is in the lockerroom.

How do you cushion the blow?

The Iowa offense is terrible. It was plundered by a very average Purdue defense. That last sack, Eugene Bright, a reserve DE, beat tackle Kyle Calloway on an inside move.

How many receivers are injured? I can't bring that up anymore. It's been a topic since the credit card thingie. In week 8, you have it solved or you don't. Iowa doesn't and it's killing the entire team. The offensive line and quarterback are young? Not anymore. It's week 8. No one is young anymore. What does that make you? Not good enough.

Iowa was 1-for-9 on third down in the first half. It got its first and then went 0-for-8.

You can argue that they're still in it. You can, but you would have a hard time convincing anyone.

No flags

That was an 80-yard drive on a very, very tired Iowa defense

This is the offense killing the defense.

King out

If the defense is the fire department . . .

I've got five drops today. Let me know how many you have.

The fire department . . .

That's exactly what they're doing today.

That flag . . .

That one came from the field judge who was on Purdue's sideline. It might've been uncatchable, too.

Purdue and the blitz . . .

Boy, the defense put that one on a tee for the offense. And they duck hooked it.

On that third down . . .

Doering back in at guard. Looks like they are alternating.

BTW, Jason Baker, former Iowa punter now in the NFL, is in the house. Might he offer a few tips to Ryan Donahue, who is struggling mightily at this point.

Vandervelde in, Doering out

Wow, that was easy . . .

No negative plays, only two incompletions. Only one third-and-long situation. It couldn't have been any easier for Purdue.

True freshman quarterback Marvin McNutt . . .

Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg will start today. He's back from a concussion he suffered four weeks ago at Wisconsin.

Almost forgot about Mike.

Receivers who are here . . .

Tight end Tony Moeaki (dislocated elbow) is dressed, but who knows if he'll play. He's missed three weeks. Rob Bruggeman (torn ACL) is dressed today. He injured his knee in spring drills. He would've played some where this year, Ferentz told me a last week.

The starting O-line looks to be Seth Olsen, Dan Doering, Rafael Eubanks, Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway.

It's beautiful here in Lafayette . . .

Iowa is down to the residue at receiver.

Reserve QB Arvell Nelson looks like he's full bore at receiver today. He came out with the receivers and about a half hour ago came out of the lockerroom and caught passes from Jake Christensen.

Trey Stross is out. That's something I heard yesterday, but had no internest access to post. Sorry. Same deal for freshman Colin Sandeman, who rolled an ankle in practice this week. Stross has never rfully recovered from the partially torn hamstring he suffered during fall camp.

At defensive back, true freshman Cedric Everson isn't on the trip. Redshirt freshman walk-on Nick Kuchel and true freshman Tyler Sash.

Periphery Week 8

I've never really done West Lafayette. We've usually stayed overnight in Danville. Do the initials O-T-B mean anything to anyone?

This will be new. But what can you learn about a town when you have, what, eight hours of free time to spend, with six of those being sleeping hours.

I'm guessing an eight-hour nap will be in order after the Beef House. I'll have some sort of beef boomer deal that'll put me out until the big bass drum rolls into Ross-Ade.

Should be a nice day to tailgate. Anywhere is better than here and the SCUBA gear you would need.

From the iPod (the jukebox should be a little more upbeat after last week, huh folks?):

"Hold on Hope" -- Guided by Voices. "Invitation to the last dance. Then it's time to leave. That's the price we pay when we deceit." Not real big on this GBV song, but your girlfriend will like it.

"Road to Joy" -- Bright Eyes. "So I'm drinking, breathing, writing, singing, every day I'm on the clock." Not a lot of joy in this puppy, I just searched and there it was. It seemed like a good idea. There might be a little anthem in it.

"Four Winds" -- Bright Eyes. "They're poring over Sanskrit on the Ivy League moons, while shadows lengthen in the sun." I guess this means don't study. Or at least don't major in a 1,500-year-old dead language. I really like this song. You'll embrace the fiddle again.

"It's Hard to be a Saint in the City" -- Bruce Springsteen. "I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a supernova. I could walk like Brando right into the sun, then dance just like a Casanova." The columnist, who is, in fact, blue and weathered, is breaking from the pack and going to see Bruce in Chicago on Sunday night. I'm jealous, but I can't complain. Saw Wilco last Sunday in IC. Fantastic.

"The Thanks I Get" -- Wilco. "Is that the thanks I get for loving you? Is that the thanks I get for telling you the truth? . . . You say you want to communicate, but you won't hear what I say." This is the one from the Volkswagen commercials. There was a day when I would've cried sellout, but I've been dropping Benz Beverage Depot's name here for months hoping for such endorsement riches. So, there, I'm a sellout too. (It hasn't happened. They don't know who I am. I'm pretty sure this whole deal here is just Greg and me and I'm cool with that. BTW, I owe Greg a six pack of his choice. Blues 3, Blackhawks 1. Don't bet with your heart, I know, I know.)

Libation

Superfly I.P.A. -- Brewed by Oaken Barrel Brewing Company in Greenwood, Ind. (hometown of Iowa linebacker A.J. Edds), this sounds like a nice, hoppy amber. Here's what "BEERchitect" wrote about it on BeerAdvocate: "Bittered for effect, but without that 'bite' in the back of the throat. Sweetly pronounced alcohol doesn't create a drying sensation, rather lands a juicy moistness to the mouth. Very easy drinking for such large hop flavor. Good job Oaken Barrel!"

Of course, the Old Oaken Bucket goes to the winner of Indiana-Purdue. So, now you know they have actual uses for old oaken things in Indiana.

More on Mike Humpal . . .

They didn't return my calls until after the story ran. In the old days, before I had this bloggie thingie, there was no place for that kind of interview. But now through the miracle of the internets, I'll share what I was able to get.

Federici said that in Humpal's age group making it back from an osteotomy is "pretty uncommon."

"It's probably a more common surgerry in the general public, people 40, 50, 60 years old would be better candidates for realignment purposes and trying to preserve their joint a little better."

He said it's not common in college-aged athletes nor professional athletes.

The only athlete I was able to find who had made a comeback from it was Detroit Red Wing center Steve Yzerman. I kind of downplayed that because I play hockey after two 'scopes on my left knee and I couldn't imagine trying to play football (which, by the way, I did play, in high school, about 600 years ago).

"(Humpal's return) It's pretty remarkable in this kind of setting or in the NHL," Federici said. "I don't sell hockey players short. I think they're some of the toughest athletes around."

I'm not sure why Humpal's story isn't a national kind of a deal. Google it, go ahead. You get Stevie Yzerman and no one else.

"When you consider not just playing 12 times in the fall, but all the physical preparation that these guys invest over the course of the winter and summer and training camp," Federici said. "There's a lot of time and repetition spent on their feet and their legs. You start looking at that, that to me makes it really, really impressive."

I missed Reggie Humpal. He was watching his daughter, Kim, play volleyball for in Fayette for Upper Iowa University on Tuesday night. The Peacocks fell, 3-0, to Nebraska-Omaha.

A few times, Reggie said, "Mike is Mike."

That's saying a lot, if you think about it.

The radio show . . .

The news isn't as good for senior safety Devan Moylan, who continues to struggle with a groin injury. He's out for at least another week, Ferentz said.

And now for the miracle, at least in my mind, tight end Tony Moeaki, who suffered a dislocated elbow and broken hand against Wisconsin, has practiced both days this week and had a better day Wednesday than Tuesday. Ferentz said the "arrow is going up" and that "with a little luck" he could play on a limited basis Saturday.

Things also sounded good for junior wide receiver Andy Brodell, who suffered a torn hamstring against the Badgers. He's off crutches and moving well. But, Ferentz said, don't expect to see him back this season.

Ferentz wasn't asked and didn't mention running back Dana Brown, who was dismissed from the team after domestic assault arrest Wednesday. Previously, he had been twice convicted of fifth-degree theft.

That Notre Dame lineman . . .

I talked to Rafael Eubanks, also a Cretin-Derham alumnus, today about Carufel.

IOWA CITY … Notre Dame offensive lineman Matt Caru fel left the Fighting Irish last week and will transfer.

According to various media reports, Carufel, a former all-stater at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn., is considering a transfer to Iowa or Minnesota. He's hoping to be enrolled at his new school for second semester.

Iowa center Rafael Eubanks was also an all-stater at Cretin-Derham Hall. He said he's talked to Carufel in the last few days.

``He called me and asked me and I was honest with him,'' Eubanks said. ``That's all I could do. I don't know what's going to happen next.''

Carufel left Notre Dame last Wednesday and returned to St. Paul. He talked about his situation with former coaches, teammates, and some former Notre Dame standouts and then decided to remain in Minnesota and withdraw from Notre Dame.

``What it comes down to is is he happy and he's at a place he feels he can be successful at,'' Eubanks said. ``I just hope for the best for him.''

Carufel, a former U.S. Army All-American, was heavily recruited by the Hawkeyes out of Cretin-Derham in 2005.

I'm just not playing . . .

I'll touch on the O-line stuff later in the week, but the other thing, it's convoluted controversy and I'm just not going there. I'll let the people who convoluted-ed it make a big deal out of it.

I'd rather write about Mike Humpal's knee realignment surgery and his comeback from that. Does that make me a wimp? Soft? That's up to you guys. I'll just keep doing what I do until my bosses tell me the jig is up and it's time to get a real job.

No, convoluted-ed isn't a word. I totally made that up.

Sorry, we're going to have to go "Best of . . ."

Here's one from April on Brett Greenwood, whose dad, Dave, graduated from CR Kennedy and played at Iowa State.

Headline: Walk-on DB rises to top of chart

Intro: Pleasant Valley's Greenwood is Iowa's top free safety

Byline: Marc Morehouse

Source: The Gazette

Brett Greenwood was a dot in the binoculars last season. He was the other No. 30, the main 30 being tight end Ryan Majerus.

But Greenwood's No. 30 kept dotting the binoculars.

Every Iowa freshman who's sitting out a red-shirt season gets a chance to dress and stand on the sidelines during one or two home games. It's a ceremonial thing, something to whet the kid's whistle.

Greenwood did that, but his No. 30 also showed up on road trips - every road trip. This is more than ceremonial. The Big Ten limits travel rosters, so every player has at least an emergency chance to see the field, especially one who makes every trip.

The point is that the Iowa coaching staff was high on the 6-foot, 185-pound walk-on from Bettendorf.

Hammering the point home is Greenwood's spot as the No. 1 free safety on Iowa's depth chart this spring.

It's a quick rise, so you know the coaches liked what they saw in practice last fall, even though Greenwood kept his red-shirt and was never put in a game.

"Being around him, he prepared like he was ready to play even though he was red-shirting," Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. "He has a great attitude and is a great athlete. We like what we have seen so far. It will be interesting to see what he does this spring."

Ed Morrissey, Greenwood's football coach at Pleasant Valley High School, knew he had a good athlete when he made Greenwood a starting defensive back, punt returner, wingback and backup quarterback as a sophomore. Morrissey wasn't surprised when Greenwood told him he was going to walk on at Iowa. Greenwood's work ethic made Morrissey a believer.

"He'd be out on the field long after practice was over, running routes with a couple teammates," Morrissey said. "We'd come out of coaches meetings after practice and would be taking off to go home and we'd see Brett and a couple other guys, running routes and throwing the ball. "I'd say, `Hey, doggone it, we've got to get home, we've got families, we've got to get home for dinner.' "

Iowa offensive line coach Reese Morgan, who recorded 146 victories as a prep football coach in Iowa and is in the Iowa high school coaches Hall of Fame, recruits and brings in walk-ons from the state of Iowa.

Walk-on scouting is taken seriously. This is where the Iowa staff has found the likes of Dallas Clark, Derek Pagel and Bruce Nelson, former walk-ons from Iowa who went on to become NFL draft picks.

It also makes up a huge chunk of Iowa's roster. There are seven walk-ons listed on Iowa's two-deep roster this spring.

Greenwood had the football resume coming out of Pleasant Valley. He was first-team all-state his junior and senior years. During three years on the varsity, he rushed for 1,076 yards, passed for 686 and had 783 receiving yards. He also picked off 13 passes at free safety. Greenwood probably sealed the deal with his performance at the 2006 state basketball tournament. During Pleasant Valley's semifinal matchup against Linn-Mar, he drew Jason Bohannon.

Bohannon went into the game averaging 27.6 points. Greenwood held the future Wisconsin Badger to four points on 2-for-11 from the field.

"You could tell that Reese had strong feelings about him in recruiting," Ferentz said. "He knew more about Brett than any of us. He knew about his basketball, the other things that he was doing, the intangibles. All of those things that (Morgan) had a sense for, we saw when he came to camp."

Greenwood also came with excellent bloodlines. His dad, Dave, a Cedar Rapids Kennedy graduate, was a first-team all-Big 8 offensive lineman at Iowa State in 1976. Brett's sister, Lindsey, earned a soccer scholarship at Nebraska.

"He's a straight arrow," Morrissey said. "He's the hardest worker I ever had. He's the kind of kid you put a lot of faith in."

Iowa already is.

Payoff

For the offensive line. The O-line was better. Was it Bryan Bulaga and Dan Doering? Was it the defense that Illinois put in front of it? Probably a little of both. Get to know Bryan Bulaga. He ain't going away. Doering had a holding penalty, but he was sturdy. The kid has been the poster boy for internet recuiting hype gone wrong. He was requested for postgame interviews but didn't show. I can't say I blame him. The offensive line was a story in the negative sense last week; it's a feel-good this week. What will it be next week?

For Mike Humpal. He had a Greenway-Hodge game today. He's had them the last few weeks, it just leaped out against the spread option today.

For the kickers. We're starting from ground zero after Indiana. Daniel Murray nailed a 28-yarder and an extra point (we're making a note of that). Austin Signor had two or three touchbacks on kickoffs, a big deal in a field position gut check.

For Kirk Ferentz. Yeah, he makes $2.84 million a season. Think he was thinking stock options and boat drinks after Albert Young ran for the clinching first down in the final minute Saturday? Did you see the look on his face with about 40 seconds left? It was right there on ESPN. Football is his life, people. Football is his life. The guy doesn't know if a golf ball is dimpled or dented. I joked with him this summer at the Chicago thingie. I talked with him about fishing. Yeah, he fishes. One time, a few years back, in Canada. He thought he caught something called a walleye. His life is football and family. He likes ice cream. Other than that, football.

Jake wasn't ready for that snap

This is the kind of thing that happens to a team that isn't ready to win. Ferentz will say that after the game.

The OL on that drive . . .

I don't know if Julian Vandervelde was benched in favor of Doering, but it looks like it. Meade suffered an arm injury.

Good, bad and ugly . . .

The Hawkeyes moved the ball, converting 6 of 10 third downs in the first half. Albert Young looks energized. The wide receivers are making plays. DJK sat down in zone coverage for a 14-yard gain to the Illinois 33.

Illinois seems content to slug it out with Iowa's defense. This is a game Iowa can play.

BAD

QB Jake Christensen overthrew Paul Chaney on a fourth-and-6 from the Illini's 28. It was a makable play and he didn't make it. On second-and-9 at Illinois' 32, Christensen again missed Chaney, this time on an out route to the Illinois sideline. It would've been a 12-yard gain and first down, but the ball was over-led. Christensen took an 11-yard sack on the next play and another decent Iowa drive went poof.

The defense has to spy Illini QB Juice Williams much better. He had 41 rushing yards and more than once left Iowa defenders tackling the back he faked the ball to.

UGLY

This is the first time since the fourth quarter at Wisconsin that the Hawkeyes haven't trailed in a Big Ten game.

Four drives into Illini territory and only three points to show for it.

I'm shocked how many orange-and-blue Illini fans made it into the game. It's not like the 2005 basketball game, but for Iowa football it's a lot. I'm guessing maybe 1,000, more or less.

Dolph needs a spotter . . .

Albert Young is running ferociously today. He's got 50 yards on eight carries. Instead of 3-and-out today, Iowa's offense is going 11-and-nothing-to-show-for-it. It's 0-for-2 on fourth downs. Quarterback Jake Christensen missed on open Paul Chaney on the last fourth-and-6 from Illinois' 28.

Iowa has had just two negative plays out of 23 so far.

Bulaga in

Quite a bit of orange sprinkled into the "blackout" crowd

Jacody Coleman . . .

I'm starting to wonder if Mike Klinkenborg sees the field again. It's been three weeks since his concussion at Wisconsin. There are five weeks left in the season after today. There's a risk/reward factor starting to creep in. The kid has a lot of life to live. BTW on Klink, he had some 85 family members at Kinnick on Saturday. The family had a reunion Friday night in Bettendorf.

Looks like 1-for-2 on the rumors

I smell motivational ploy at QB. Who knows? It's a blog. I can always come back and change this and no one will ever know. (I wouldn't do that.)

Steaming hot rumor . . .

Hot rumor II

Hot rumor . . .

Periphery Week 7

What a nutty week, huh? Thanks for stopping by the booth, Drew Tate. Interesting to see the Jekyll-Hyde thing wasn't a passing phase. (Drew told me to call him after last season. I didn't. Kirk Ferentz wouldn't respond, so there's no balance to something like that. Not saying it wasn't interesting, though.) For the record, I really enjoyed covering Drew. He might've treated me like dog you-know-what a few times, but I was always curious where things were going to go. I think he'll make a helluva football coach some day. He'll channel that energy. You wait.

After next season, the three-year deals will be up on the premium seating at Kinnick Stadium. That's about a third of the deals for the funds that are being used to pay the annual debt service on what has become a nearly $100 million project. The financial plan has safeguards for a shortfall in demand. There is a reserve fund. But I'm guessing they'd rather not tap that. If the current slide continues next season, it could get interesting.

Had a chance to talk to Bruce Nelson and Andy Lightfoot this week. I know we're supposed to be objective observers (and I take that seriously, believe me, even as, I believe, the market for that shrinks) but I'm not a stonewall dullard. How can you not like these two? Self-made players who willed themselves into two-fifths of one of the greatest offensive lines Iowa has ever had. (I used to say greatest, but Bruce set me straight on that this week.) Bruce and his wife, Jana, are expecting their first child. He's 28 now. Wow, I'm old and I'm thinking Kirk Ferentz is thinking the same thing. Three hip surgeries knocked him out of the NFL, but he's living what I'd consider a wonderful life, farming, helping coach the Emmetsburg and helps with a youth group. Just a genuinely great guy. Andy is keeping kind of busy. He's in his first year of residency (it's a six-year run) at the UI urology department. He was one of the most cerebral football players I've seen. Just a genuinely brilliant, motivated guy.

Soak in this tailgate. The weather will be touch-and-go from here on out.

From the iPod (you'll pick up the theme quickly):

"The Bottle Let Me Down" -- George Jones. "Tonight the bottle let me down and let your memory come around." Remember the strategy -- nap and eat as directed.

"I'm Not Down" -- The Clash. "I'm beat up, I've been thrown out, but I'm not down. I'm not down." Just channel your favorite John "Bluto" Blutarsky quote.

"Don't Let Them Take You Down (It's a beautiful day)" -- Jesse Malin. "It's a beautiful day. Don't let them take you down." It's an anthemic "get 'em" up from a guy I saw on Leno one night. I never watch Leno, it just caught my ear.

"Two Hearts Beat As One" -- U2. "Can't stop the dance; maybe this is my last chance." This is my favorite U2 song. I stopped listening after "Joshua Tree" and didn't really even like that very much.

"Don't Be Sad" -- Whiskeytown. "Seen a lot of things we didn't want to see, but I'm glad we did." Seriously, don't be.

Libation

Molson Canadian -- It's been all over The Gazette for years, but for those who don't know, I'm a big hockey guy. In fact, I'm late with this week's Periphery because I watched THE MIGHTY CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS come from a two-goal deficit and beat the Detoilet Dead Things, 3-2, for their first victory at Detroit since 2006. Boo freaking yah!

It's hockey season and this beer is from Canada. Here's what "AmericanCanuck" from the Beer Advocate messageboards has to say "Been looking for a replacement beer since Rolling Rock's demise, and I think I've found it. Wonderful smooth taste and easy on the palate. Could knock back quite a few of these quite easily. No skunky smell or artsy-fartsy flavor. Basic good beer, pure and simple. Bottoms up!"

I'll add the "eh" for him. Good beer, eh!

Radio show . . .

Devan Moylan (groin) is out again. That's three weeks for both. It will take sometime, now, to get them back into football shape when they're ready.

It sounded like things picked up for tight end Tony Moeaki, who suffered a dislocated elbow and broken hand three weeks ago. Ferentz said things ramped up for him today in practice. He said possibly next week but more likely the week after for a return.

Ferentz also said Pat Angerer injured a hamstring in practice today. Angerer has been injured (mono, shoulder) pretty much all season.

The Illinois ambush . . .

Some 3,500 Illinois fans ambushed Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the 2005 Iowa-Illinois basketball game. The Fighting Illini were riding high, ranked No. 1 and steaming toward a run in the NCAA tournament that ended as national runner-up.

Illini fans came into Carver dressed in black. They peeled that layer off and flew their orange.

The Illini won, 75-65. Their fans chanted, correctly, "NIT, NIT, NIT."

It honked off former Iowa coach Steve Alford.

"Why are there 5,000 opponent fans in here? Why can't some of those tickets be held back for our fans?" he asked. "If fans are not buying, find ways to reduce the cost. It's a home environment, it's not a neutral environment.

"When we go to Purdue, there weren't 5,000 Hawkeye fans in there."

But the truth is there was supply for the Illinois demand. The Iowa ticket office doesn't vet potential ticket buyers. If it has the supply, it will fill the demand.

"Tickets are for sale," shrugged then-AD Bob Bowlsby.

Why am I bringing this up?

You might've noticed, Illinois is having a breakout year in football. Ron Zook's Illini are 5-1 (3-0 Big Ten) heading into Saturday's matchup at Kinnick Stadium.

The Illini are up. The Hawkeyes have lost four straight. Going into the 2005 hoops game in IC, Illinois was up and Iowa was NIT.

Can the same thing happen at Kinnick?

Not unless a few thousand of you sell your tickets to Illini fans at Kinnick on gameday or on eBay. Just now on eBay, I checked and there were 33 entries for Iowa-Illinois tickets and/or parking passes.

Iowa sets aside 4,000 tickets for the opposing teams. Otherwise, Saturday's game is a sell out. All tickets, save for a few singles, are spoken for.

If there is Illini demand, there is no Iowa ticket supply.

"You're not going to have big numbers like we did for that basketball thing," Iowa associate director of athletics Mark Jenning said Wednesday. "The tickets were available. They're not available for football like they were for basketball a couple years ago."

So, don't expect a similar ambush, at least not in the Kinnick bleachers. It's up for grabs on the field, though.

A little OL history . . .

That said, do you realize it took Bruce Nelson, Eric Steinbach, David Porter, Andy Lightfoot and Robert Gallery a few years to jell into arguably the best O-line in the history of Iowa football?

I know I totally forgot about that.

This group started two games together in 2001, the opener and the Alamo Bowl. It basically had one decent (2001 Alamo, 6th in the Big Ten in total offense at 393.5 ypg but No. 1 in scoring offense 32.6 ppg) and one brilliant season (8-0 Big Ten, Orange Bowl) and it was gone. Before that, pieces of this group (Nelson and Lightfoot played in '99; Steinbach and Gallery showed up in 2000) were 1-10 and 3-9 and not very good. The 2000 OL, which was a sports trainers training ground with all the injuries, allowed 57 sacks. In '99, the Hawkeyes rushed for 93.5 ypg and converted 30.2 percent of their third downs. (BTW, this year's Hawkeyes are at 118.3 rush yards a game and 29.2 percent on third down.)

Even this group didn't walk on the field and dominate. This is long-haul stuff. That's not what you want to hear, but you know it's true.

I don't know what the upside is for this year's group, but hopefully a look back sheds a little perspective on where these guys are in their development. As I'm sure you know by now, this year's group includes a junior (Seth Olsen), three sophomores (Kyle Calloway, Travis Meade and Rafael Eubanks) and a freshman (Julian Vandervelde), with Dace Richardson (out with a knee for an undetermined period of time) in for a few games.

This has been . . .

Wrong on big Wes . . .

Tyler Blum is now a D-lineman, his third position.

Dezman Moses is still TE 87, but he's back at LB today.

Brett Greenwood starts at FS; Shada back to CB.

Bryan Bulaga

It looks like Wes Aeschliman will get the shot at right tackle today. At least that's the way things are lining up in warmups.

Richardson . . .

He didn't practice Wednesday, but that's all I know.

Shada will play corner today; Greenwood will play safety.

It might be weirder with Dace . . .

Austin Scott . . .

The Quad City Times guy is reporting that Iowa OT Dace Richardson will not play today. The reason could be his knee, which hasn't been right for nearly a year. Julian Vandervelde practiced this week and might be ready yo go at guard, pushing Seth Olsen back to tackle.

Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg and safety Devan Moylan did not make the trip. They'll miss their second games with concussions.

Ran into Matt Kroul's dad, John, at O'Hare. He was grumbling about getting bumped off flights. I heard that they finally made it to State College, so there's one happy ending here.

New recruit . . .

He was an Iowa State commit at one time, the site says.

Periphery Week 6

Tailgating out here is a science. State College is kind of an outpost, so it's RV City here. This town does the traffic right, though. They shut just about everything down around Beaver Stadium, a wonderful iron bowl that looks like it was made by the cast of "Deer Hunter," and make it all one way in. It seems to work.

I suggest the Iowa people make this a road trip at least once. It's a unique and powerful football stage.

From the iPod (in case you tailgate in the driveway, which works just fine, too):

"Look Out, Joe" -- Neil Young. "Look out, Joe, we're coming home. Old times were good times." I remember Joe Paterno's sprint up the tunnel after the refs in 2002. I imagine he's been slowed after the ugly deal on the Wisconsin sidelines last year.

"Peaceful Valley" -- Ryan Adams. " . . . trying to find a peaceful song to sing when everything goes wrong." Awesome show Monday night in IC.

"'Til the Bleeding Stops" -- Deadstring Brothers. "You know we've always been such good friends, you'd never judge me for the shape I'm in." Sage advice from the Deadstring Brothers, which, I'm pretty sure, includes a girl.

"I'm Not Like Everybody Else" -- The Kinks. "I'm not going to take it all lying down, because once I get started I go to town." That's never been the problem, but it's a rallying cry nonetheless.

"If Only You Were Lonely" -- The Replacements. "Twenty push-ups this morning, that was half of my goal. Tonight I'll be doing pull-ups on the toilet bowl." Just a song that everyone will be stumbling though by the end of the day.

Libation

Tröegs Mad Elf -- This is a Belgian strong dark ale, meaning it's higher in alcohol content with more of an overall character. I doubt the Benz Beverage Depot folks (endorsement deal, let's get our people together) carry this one. I bring it up because it's brewed at Tröegs Brewing Company in Harrisburg, Pa.

If I see it, I'll give it a full review. But the columnist and I are staying Altoona, which has a Hooters. Not saying we're going, just saying. Really, I'm shocked 'Toona has a Hooters. I think it's some crazy sociological experiment. I'll take a pass. Actually, we were hoping to get in for a high school football game Friday night. The town looks as if it were built around football.

Well . . .

Looks like it'll be an even 100 years. And then some. I hope they at least don't get swept.

Barta to me after Iowa State

``Right now, my big picture is that we're 2-1,'' Barta said. ``We're three games into this season and that's what we're focused on. Right now, that's the honest answer.

``I'm disappointed we lost last Saturday (15-13 at Iowa State) and I'm focused on the Big Ten season. I'm not evaluating anything more right now than where we're at this season.''

Here are some more Barta thoughts that didn't make the paper:

"There's emotional and the pain we all feel when we lose, but we're three games into a 12-game season. It's fair, accurate and appropriate to say our next focus is Wisconsin."

On evaluating coaches at the end of the year -- "One of the things that I'm a big believer in is communicating at all times, whether it's Kirk, Lisa Bluder or Todd (Lickliter). I have regular meetings and communication with our coaches, so that we're always on the same page. We always know what each other is thinking. That's ongoing. Then at the end of every season, I sit down with each of the coaches and talk about the pluses and the minuses and where we're at. I do that on an annual basis. It's a pretty thorough discussion of how the year went, what went well and what can we get better at. We do that on an annual basis. But we meet weekly just to make sure we're on the same page, not just once a year."

On the Iowa state game -- "I like to beat every team. Every game we play, I want to win. It hurts when we lose any game. I look at more in a coach than one game a year. I look at everything they're doing. That's the case if we're talking about football and Kirk or any of our sports."

It's industry standard to do that with coaches, BTW. Former AD Bob Bowlsby did this, too. Seems to make sense.

Have the dynamics of their relationship changed? I doubt it. Ferentz has his power, but he's always struck me as an old school, chain of command guy.

This blogging is a great nervous energy sucker upper during baseball games. I could do without the Dane what's his name promos, however. I've been timing it and, yeah, his 15 minutes are up.

The radio show . . .

Both players suffered concussions at Wisconsin two weeks ago and missed last week's Indiana game.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said the staff is deciding what to do at the free safety spot. Last week, senior Adam Shada moved from cornerback to start at free safety. This week, freshman Brett Greenwood is in the mix with Shada possibly moving back to corner.

Senior Bryon Gattas will start in Klinkenborg's spot for the second week.

Freshman linebacker Jacody Coleman, who would've started for Klinkenborg last week, is practicing after suffering a hamstring injury late last week.

Also, Ferentz said it was "unrealistic" to expect sophomore receivers Anthony Bowman and Dominique Douglas to see the field this season. The two were arrested in August after they allegedly stole two credit cards on May 8 and charged more than $2,000 in merchandise.

Their arraignments are set for Oct. 18. The Hawkeyes would have five games left, but because of the lateness of any court action, the players would not likely be physically ready to play before the end of the season, Ferentz said.

Both are indefinitely suspended from the football team but remain in school on scholarship. Both have redshirt years available to them.

Ferentz also said the coaching staff is considering re-thinking their position of taking the ball whenever possible on the coin flip. Iowa has scored on just one first possession in its last 17 games. With the offense struggling this season, the strategy has often led to a field position advantage for opponents.

Ryan Adams last night in IC

We got it.

Adams played for nearly three hours. Tight, smart, soaring, just a terrific show. Lots of banter, but who cares. I imagine when you go where he goes during a song, the come down seconds afterward must be a whirl. If you need a minute or so to snap out of it, so be it.

And he said he just quit smoking, so give him a break.

That was the first concert I've been to during the cell phone picture age. If we would've tried that stuff with KISS in 1978, a security guy would've bounced us out of the show. The old guy has spoken.