The Tuesday Quotebook: Schott Could Be Back, While Others Wait

Iowa just finished its second bye week of the season, but the injury list didn't improve by much.

Coach Kirk Ferentz said on Tuesday that guard Kyler Schott is expected to be return after a foot injury that sidelined him for all of October.

But linebacker Kristian Welch, wide receiver Brandon Smith and tight end Nate Wieting aren't expected back for Saturday's game at Wisconsin.

Welch has missed the last two games with what Ferentz termed a "stinger."

"It's like a concussion, but it's not a concussion, just for the record, because it's such a sensitive thing," Ferentz said. "But injuries are funny. It's just stingers, concussions, could be three days or it could be three months. I've seen it go both ways on both those. Some injuries are a little bit more predictable, stingers aren't, and it's just a matter of regaining strength and being able to maintain it.

"He plays in a position where he's apt to get hit pretty frequently. If he was a placekicker we'd have a better chance, but right now I don't know that it's realistic he'll be able to play this week."

Ferentz said Schott, who was the starter at right guard before he went out with a foot injury, could start in Saturday's game.

"Well, he's not in the best football shape probably — he hasn't done anything in quite a bit," Ferentz said. "But the good news is it's chilly out there right now, so heat will not be a factor or humidity, and we'll see how the week goes. But we plan on playing him, and he'll play extensively if he's able to do so, so we'll see how it finishes up tomorrow."

Welch's absence means another test for redshirt freshman Dillon Doyle and true freshman Jack Campbell at middle linebacker against a Wisconsin team that has one of the best rushing offenses in the nation.

"I mentioned we've done some good things in eight games, and one of the nice things we've done or good things we've done is been able to absorb injuries," Ferentz said. "We've had a significant amount and guys have stepped in and filled in, and right now the best thing we're doing defensively is we're playing great team defense. Whether Dillon is in there, Jack is in there, it seems like we continue to play well.

"All that being said, this is going to be a unique test for two young players to be involved in playing against a team like this. This is a really physical, veteran team that knows what they're doing."

The return home

Welch, a senior, is from Iola, Wis., so if he can't go on Saturday he would miss his last game in his home state.

Ferentz understands the emotions.

"We'll take him back and he'll go out for the (coin) toss if he's not playing," Ferentz said. "But that's football. It's the worst part about football, frankly, the injuries. It's just so disappointing. I can't tell you how hard he's worked. He's been one of our hardest working players. He's so conscientious, so bought in. But it's not always fair. Life is not always fair. Football is hardly fair. But he's making a contribution.

"We've got two young guys playing for him right now, and he's out there coaching those guys every day working with them, talking in their ear, and that's really valuable, too. I'm sure he's doing the same thing with the whole group. He's just a veteran player that we have a lot of respect for and it's a tough break. But that's the nature of this game, unfortunately, so it's a tough deal."

The tight end rotation

Wieting's absence could mean more of a look at freshman Sam LaPorta, who had two catches for 43 yards in the 20-0 win over Northwestern before the bye week.

But it could be tight end by committee, with LaPorta, Shaun Beyer, Drew Cook and Bryce Schulte getting looks.

"I have no choice," Ferentz said. "They're in the Army right now, so Beyer, (LaPorta) and Drew Cook, that's kind of where we're at, so those guys are getting some work. Schulte is getting a little work. We're not going to change what we do, so we're going to keep pushing forward. They're doing a good job.

"I'm not sure Sam knows what the heck is going on anyway, so it's just as well. I'm joking about that, he's doing OK. We've got his head spinning a little bit, but he's doing a good job, and Drew is doing a good job, too."

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