Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/88446
during the past five years, only one scholarship running back has stayed at Iowa for four years without suffer- ing a major injury. So far this year, it appears as if AIR- BGH is still haunting the Hayden Fry Football Complex. This past winter, Iowa's top two run- ning backs elected to transfer. On March 30, sophomore Jordan Canzeri tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Freshman Greg Garmon was arrested in July, and Kirk Ferentz dismissed De'Andre Johnson, the No. 2 back at the time, in August after multiple ar- rests. In addition, a promising fresh- man running back tore his ACL in preseason camp, and in the third game of the season, Iowa lost its starter to a concussion. He is not ex- pected to return this week. And the body count is still rising. Mark Weisman, a former walk-on full- back, took over as starting tailback and is currently the team's leading rusher, but even he suffered an ankle injury that required him to wear a walking boot after last week's 19-16 double-overtime victory over Michigan State. He was out of the boot by Tues- day. "They're going to let [Weisman] work today a little bit," Ferentz said Tues- day. "He would have to make a lot of progress to be able to play, so we'll have to take the mental approach that he's not going to be here. If he does join us, it would be great." If he isn't able to play, however, the Hawkeyes' options at running back are limited. According to the official depth chart, Garmon, a 180-pound native of Erie, Pa., is listed as the first-teamer. He has yet to carry the ball more than four times in a game and he, too, has been hurt this sea- son, having suffered an elbow injury Sept. 15 that forced him to miss a game and a half. The No. 2 spot is oc- cupied by Canzeri, who is less than seven months removed from ACL sur- gery. "We have a very limited pool of guys right now," Ferentz said, "so I think it's realistic to think that [Canzeri is in the mix] and it's good news." Despite all of its problems in the backfield, Iowa has relied more on its rushing attack than its passing game this season, averaging 4.5 yards per rush and just shy of two rushing touchdowns per game. The running backs are also receiving targets, but Iowa's passing offense is one of the worst in the Big Ten, rank- ing in the bottom three in completion percentage, total yards and passing touchdowns. Ferentz said the Hawkeyes might rely more heavily on the passing game against Penn State than they have so far this season. While his 2012 numbers are modest, quarterback James Vandenberg had an outstanding season a year ago. He lost last year's top receiver, Marvin McNutt, but if Vandenberg can get on the same page with Keenan Davis, who averages more than 62 yards and five catches per game, and Kevonte Martin-Manley, then it could be a long day for an untested Penn State sec- ondary. "We are not going to give up on the run, but we are going to have to try to compensate a little bit and spread it around," Ferentz said. "It's not going to be easy. [Penn State's] guys get after you good up front, so it's going to be a good challenge for our line to try to neutralize their front." Penn State coach Bill O'Brien isn't as concerned with Iowa's alleged run- ning back curse as the Hawkeye faithful at the Backpocket Brewery, if he's even aware of it. He said Satur- day's game is likely to be a difficult battle because "there's no question that Iowa has the momentum. They had a fantastic win over a very tough Michigan State team in double over- time." And even if this is O'Brien's first game against Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, he's certainly aware of the history between the two pro- grams. O'Brien knows Iowa will wel- come Penn State Saturday with a hard-as-nails effort in a hostile at- mosphere. "This is a physical team," he said. "They play a very tough brand of football; I believe we play a tough brand of football. So I think it is two very, very evenly matched teams. Like the old saying goes, you are what your record says you are, and we're both 4- 2. So to me, it's two evenly matched teams that are going to really fight it out physically to see who can win the game." O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 2 2 BWI'S FORECAST NATE BAUER RECORD 4-2 In past years, I'd almost cer- tainly pick Iowa. But this year, the Nittany Lions are playing like they have nothing to lose, and that approach will continue to pay off this weekend. PENN STATE 24, IOWA 16 PHIL GROSZ RECORD 4-2 Not since 1999 has PSU won at Kinnick Stadium, but you can't use history as part of your evalu- ation. This is a new team coached by a new coaching staff. It won't be easy, but the Lions get their fifth consecutive win. PENN STATE 28, IOWA 10 MATT HERB RECORD 5-1 At home under the lights, the Hawkeyes are a tempting pick. But they've got major problems in their backfield, while Penn State is rested and ready. PENN STATE 24, IOWA 17 TIM OWEN RECORD 4-2 If Iowa can't run the ball, they won't be able to pass the ball. If they can't pass the ball... well, you get the picture. PENN STATE 17, IOWA 6 RYAN SNYDER RECORD 5-1 Another battle in the PSU-Iowa record books and O'Brien puts his stamp on the rivalry. PENN STATE 27, IOWA 21 ERIC THOMAS RECORD 3-3 Can't see a blowout, but I can see a sure PSU win. PENN STATE 23, IOWA 13 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M