On Iowa with Marc Morehouse

More on Mike Humpal . . .

Sometimes on Tuesday, I make late-afternoon phone calls that are probably a 50-50 shot at being returned. For the Mike Humpal story I wrote Tuesday evening, I tried to call Paul Fedrici, Iowa's director of athletic training services, and Reggie Humpal, Mike's dad.

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 . . .

Kirk Ferentz said Mike Klinkenborg has practiced the last two days and has a very good chance to play Saturday. He's been out for three weeks after suffering a concussion against Wisconsin. He wore sunglasses on a sunless day last Saturday, so maybe that worked. On a personal note, I wish he could've made it back last week. His family had a reunion in Bettendorf the night before the game and he had more than 80 relatives in attendance Saturday. Having met my fair share of Klinkenborgs, I'm sure they still enjoyed themselves.

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.