Iowa’s initial injury report brings a little relief on offense and a fresh headache on defense.
The Hawkeyes are set to have two key pieces available against Ohio State, with tight end DJ Vonnahme and running back L.J. Phillips Jr. both fully cleared to play. That’s a welcome development after Iowa got them back for the Michigan win but didn’t get much out of either one on the field.
Vonnahme was back in the lineup against Michigan after missing time with an injury suffered against Iowa State, but he was limited to only a handful of snaps. Addison Ostrenga filled in well while Vonnahme was sidelined, yet Iowa clearly needs Vonnahme working as a real part of the offense if it wants a shot in this week’s matchup.
Phillips Jr. was also cleared last week, but he never took a snap. Ferentz said he couldn’t find a good spot for him, and with Michigan so strong against the run, the opportunity never came.
Iowa managed only 53 rushing yards in that game, and Phillips Jr. could be in line for a bigger role this time around. Both players should see expanded snap counts Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
The bad news lands in the secondary, where Tyler Brown is back on the out list after re-aggravating his hamstring against Michigan. Brown had just returned to the starting lineup at safety alongside Zach Lutmer after being sidelined since spring ball, and Iowa was glad to have him back even with the defense giving up 429 total yards. But he hurt the hamstring again on the final defensive series before Iowa’s game-winning drive, and Ferentz had already cast doubt on his status earlier in the week, saying, “We'll see,” when asked about him.
If Brown can’t go, Anthony Hawkins should slide back into the starting safety spot opposite Lutmer, with Jacob Wallace staying at CASH. That leaves Iowa needing every possible answer on the back end against Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. Brown’s size would have given the Hawkeyes another option to throw at Smith, but now they’ll have to sort out a different plan.
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Iowas Upset Shot Vs Ohio State May Come Down To These Hawkeyes
The buildup to Iowas matchup with Ohio State has naturally centered on how the Hawkeyes can keep the Buckeyes uncomfortable long enough to make it a game. A lot of that conversation starts with Iowas own playmakers, from DJ Vonnahme to Braeden Jackson and Anthony Hawkins, because if the Hawkeyes are going to threaten an upset, it likely has to come from an offense that can do just enough to complement the defense.
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Iowa DBs Face Their Biggest Stage Yet At Ohio State
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For Iowa, this is about more than surviving the game plan. If those young defensive backs hold up against the Buckeyes, it gives the Hawkeyes a better chance to keep the field manageable for the rest of the defense and stay in position on the offensive side of the ball. If they struggle, the pressure on Iowas whole operation rises quickly, which is why this stage feels bigger than a single Saturday in Columbus. [Read more 🡒]