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While it doesn't really come as a shock, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announced today that Jewel Hampton (blocking, right), the man tasked with taking over Shonn Greene's running back job, will miss the entire 2009 season with a knee injury. While the exact injury Hampton suffered was not disclosed, Ferentz confirmed that Hampton will have surgery and is likely to redshirt this season.Hampton's injury seriously dims Iowa's hopes for improving upon last season's success. Hampton was Greene's backup last season and was the only running back on the roster with significant game experience. Former walkon Paki O'Meara (pictured. with ball), who has played a little, moves into the starting spot, though it is likely Ferentz will use multiple backs.
O'Meara isn't the only Hawkeye who must now step up his game.
The pressure on quarterback Ricky Stanzi just went up a little, as the Hawks will of necessity have to throw the ball more than they had planned. That creates opportunities for Iowa's wideouts as well. Trey Stross and converted quarterback Marvin McNutt are on top of Iowa's depth chart, but Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is widely considered Iowa's most talented receiver. DJK, however, has found himself on the outs with the coaching staff lately and currently slots as the third receiver.
The sky, however, is not falling in Iowa City. The Hawks already figured they'd pass more this season, with Greene gone and Stanzi growing ever more confident. Too, Iowa is a defense-first team which can usually win a game with only 21 to 24 points. It's never good to lose a projected starter/workhorse four days before the opener, but as usual, things probably aren't as bad as they seem.
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