Tuesday's Quotebook: Ferentz On Injuries, and Redshirts

Schott will be out until early November.

IOWA CITY — Iowa's injury woes continue to hit the offensive line.

Cole Banwart is out for the season, Kyler Schott is out until the bye week in two weeks.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he thought Mark Kallenberger, who slid over to start at right guard in Saturday's 17-12 loss to Penn State, "played well."

"It was his first start. I thought he handled that well," Ferentz said. "Then playing inside, which is not something he's done a lot of. He handled that well, too. A little bit different feel in that. Some guys can't handle that. Some do. He seemed to be unaffected by that.

"I saw a lot of positives. That's encouraging. A month ago I'm not going to say he was in a slump, but the month of August was OK with him. He didn't seem like he was really moving forward and progressing. The last four weeks I think we've seen good progress. I think he deserved the right to get in there and play and did a good job."

ON JUSTIN BRITT: True freshman Justin Britt is Kallenberger's backup and Ferentz isn't going to be shy about using him.

"We've made the decision he's playing," Ferentz said. "That's not a discussion any more. Our attitude is we'll just keep watching him in practice. If we can get him in the game, we'll get him in the game.

"I will say he's improving every week. Had a good day today. He's pushing that direction. We have an open mind, have had an open mind over a month now with him and everybody. For him in the race because he's a true freshman, (it) just depends what happens in practice. We'll make decisions as we go along. He's a guy we're straight ahead with him for sure."

REDSHIRT POSSIBILITIES: Running back Ivory Kelly-Martin has played in four games this season, which would still make him eligible for a redshirt season if he doesn't play another game this season.

With the depth at the position, Ferentz said they might want to keep Kelly-Martin out.

"I think right now we would be smart to try to protect Ivory if we can," Ferentz said. "But we're also trying to win this year. It's kind of we'll stay flexible on it. Yeah, we'd sure like to not waste a year of his eligibility if we can."

STAYING OUT OF THE WAY: Given the Hawkeyes' current offensive line woes, Ferentz was asked that, as a former OL coach, he has spent more attention with that position group this week.

"Head coaches don't do anything in practice. We just walk around. That's all we do," Ferentz joked. "That's the first discovery I made.

"You try to help out anywhere where you can, kind of scan the field a little bit. Yeah, I'll gravitate in that direction every now and then."

Asked if he felt more of a need to do that this week, Ferentz said, "I think every week. It's no different. We're not looking at this like it's anything different. We have to get better as a football team.

"Because I show up somewhere doesn't mean things are going to get better, for the record. It's not that easy. In fact, it may work conversely. You can make that argument."