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I hope you're sitting down.
Iowa starting halfback Mark Weisman is missing from the team's depth chart, released today in anticipation of Saturday night's game against Penn State. Last week's backup halfback, freshman Greg Garmon, is listed as the starter. Sophomore Jordan Canzeri, who suffered a torn ACL during spring practice and was thought lost for the season, is the backup halfback.
Weisman, a walk-on fullback, assumed the starting role four weeks ago when the two backs listed ahead of him -- Damon Bullock and Greg Garmon -- were injured against Northern Iowa. Since that time, Weisman has four consecutive 100-yard rushing games and has run for eight touchdowns, including a 26-carry, 116-yard performance in the Hawkeyes' surprising win over Michigan State last week. Weisman sustained an injury to his ankle in Iowa's last offensive play in regulation, a five-yard touchdown run that tied the score and sent the game to overtime. He did not play in the overtime period, and appeared for postgame interviews wearing a walking boot. Weisman called the injury minor and stated he should be ready for this week.
Before you start looking for sharp objects, remember that the depth chart is made after only one light day of practice, and that it's far from accurate in many circumstances. If Weisman is questionable, he's not going on that depth chart, just as B.J. Lowery and Austin Blythe were omitted for questionable injuries last week. We should know more tomorrow after Kirk Ferentz's press conference, and even more still Friday.
Speaking of Lowery and Blythe, they make their triumphant return...as backups. Lowery is listed behind Greg Castillo, whose overtime interception sealed the Iowa victory and earned him the nickname "The Mansing of East Lansing". Blythe is listed behind Andrew Donnal, who may have found a home at right guard after being shut out by Brandon "The Sheriff" Scherff at left tackle. That nickname isn't as good as Castillo's.
Everything else remains the same as last week. The coaching staff is still omitting Jordan Cotton from the chart in favor of true freshman Tevaun Smith, despite the fact that he has complete lock down on the third wide receiver position. Pretty sure it's just there for the LOLs it generates around the football facility.