As Iowa (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) heads to No. 2 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) looking to pull the national shocker, it’s truly the more the merrier for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz updated the injury statuses of several key Hawkeyes ahead of the difficult road test. He started by discussing the health statuses of wide receivers Diante Vines and Keagan Johnson.
“I think Diante has a chance. Keagan, when he’s ready, I’ll let you know. He’s still trying to get back,” Ferentz said.
Vines, a 6-foot, 198 pound redshirt sophomore from Danbury, Conn., hasn’t played a snap thus far this season. Meanwhile, Johnson led all Hawkeye receivers in 2021 with 18 grabs for 352 receiving yards, but, according to Pro Football Focus, he’s played just 15 total snaps this season against Nevada.
Naturally, adding back both could be a big lift for an Iowa unit that ranks dead last nationally in total offense and 120th in passing offense with just 156.5 passing yards per game.
Ferentz was also cautiously optimistic on a return for redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Yahya Black.
“Hopefully he’ll be back, but we’ll see. We’ll see. Hopefully he’ll be back. He’s closer than he was. Sure would help. All hands on deck,” Ferentz said.
Black is another player that Iowa had in its plans to start the season, but he’s only played in the Hawkeyes’ opener against South Dakota State where he logged 17 snaps per PFF.
Lastly, Ferentz touched on whether or not cornerback Terry Roberts would return against the Buckeyes.
“Probably not. Probably not, unfortunately. Still, yeah, he’s got a lower leg injury,” Ferentz said of Roberts.
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