Injuries are bump in road for Hawkeyes

Iowa's football team was rolling along. The Hawkeyes strung together fourth-quarter comebacks. Underclassmen took advantage of injuries to starters.

With former Cretin-Derham Hall linemen Rafael Eubanks and Broderick Binns pitching in, the Hawkeyes sailed up the rankings.

Then quarterback Ricky Stanzi was crunched in the end zone on Nov. 7 against Northwestern and rolled his right ankle. Stanzi, who needed surgery, hasn't played -- and the Hawkeyes haven't won -- since then. Once ranked as high as fourth in the country, they are out of the Top 25.

Now Iowa (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten) must beat the Gophers on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium to improve their chances of earning a BCS at-large bid. The Hawkeyes also could grab a share of the Big Ten title if Michigan upsets Ohio State.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he has been pleased with how his team has responded to injuries and setbacks. But there aren't any victories to show for it.

"I think the biggest thing is that it goes with our motto of 'The next man in,' " said Eubanks, a senior center.

Added Binns, a sophomore defensive end: "Coach Ferentz really harps on [that motto]. Being the second-string player at any position, you have to perform like you are the first string."

Iowa's defensive line has remained intact. End Adrian Clayborn in tied for 14th in the nation with eight sacks and will be a handful for the Gophers on Saturday.

Eubanks, however, has watched seven different players start at the other four spots on the offensive line.

"The rotation has stayed the same for the past four or five games," Eubanks said, "and we have seen that work to our advantage."

He's also had to block for four different starters at running back. Redshirt freshman Adam Robinson, who missed two starts because of a sprained ankle, is back and has set a school record for first-year players with 703 yards.

Redshirt freshman James Vandenburg replaced Stanzi and looked composed as Iowa nearly upset No. 11 Ohio State last week before losing 27-24 in overtime. Vandenburg was 20-for-33 for 233 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

However, early in his conference call Tuesday, Ferentz said Stanzi was definitely out for Saturday's game. Wasn't Stanzi expected to be out until bowl season?

"We were hoping that maybe this week he could come in and throw a couple of balls," Ferentz said, "but he still has a lot of swelling."

Iowa shouldn't miss Stanzi that much on Saturday against a Gophers team that couldn't score an offensive touchdown against South Dakota State. One more victory will give the Hawkeyes at least 10 victories for the seventh time in school history and help their chances of playing in a high-profile bowl game.