The Iowa Hawkeyes welcome in the Nebraska Cornhuskers for a massive Black Friday date with plenty of Big Ten implications. If the Hawkeyes take care of business against the Huskers, then it’s off to the Big Ten Championship game against either No. 2 Ohio State or No. 3 Michigan.
Iowa (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) is battling the injury bug heading in, though. Kirk Ferentz said he doesn’t expect tight end Sam LaPorta or fullback Monte Pottebaum to play this week for the Hawkeyes.
“I just don’t think that’s realistic, so that’s kind of where that’s at,” Ferentz said.
There’s at least hope that they could be back next week for the Big Ten Championship game if Iowa manages to beat Nebraska.
“Better news. It could have gone either way. You never know what to think coming off the field. They both got tested yesterday. I think things look about as good as they can. We’ll just take it a day at a time. The door is open, but not this week,” Ferentz said.
How are the Hawkeyes planning to withstand the loss this week of each?
“Changes things. Sam is Sam, arguably our best guy on offense. Then Monte can do so many things, play in different positions, help us. It kind of limits what we have to do. We have to be smart about it.
“The good news is Luke Lachey has improved week over week the last couple years, has done a good job. Ostrenga did a good job jumping in there. We’ll have to play him more. We have to find a way to get it done. We’ll adjust our personnel a little bit,” Ferentz said.
Redshirt freshman Eli Miller was listed as the backup fullback behind redshirt senior Turner Pallissard.
“It’s a little unsettling not to have Monte because he’s one of our best players on our football team, one of our best leaders. Eli has things in a way where you have confidence. He’s a wired-in guy, goes one speed. We’ll play him on Friday, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job,” Ferentz said of Miller.
Elsewhere offensively, Ferentz noted that…
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