WHO HATES IOWA?!? The Injury gods, that's who!

If you, or someone you know, is currently working at a furniture store and still has some NCAA eligibility remaining, you might want to contact Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. Seems the Hawkeyes head man is suddenly in desperate need of a starting tailback after word from Rittenburg late yesterday that projected starter Jewel Hampton's season is over before it even began due to a knee injury. Probably better to leave a message than bother stopping by the office because Coach will be out canvassing every furniture shop, hardware store, used car lot or insurance agency in Iowa City trying to see if he can turn water into wine for the second straight year by plucking a salesman from the showroom and putting him in the Big Show at Kinnick Stadium as his starting tailback.

Hey it worked for him last year, when Shonn Greene went from a furniture salesmen in 2007 to the starting Hawkeyes tailback in 2008 and ended up winning the Doak Walker Award as the best back in the country. No reason lightning can't strike twice, right? I mean, what does it matter that Hampton was the only returning Hawkeye with any semblance of game experience (according to Rittenburg's article, Hampton ran for 463 yards and seven scores last year, both Iowa freshmen records)? I mean, at least the rest of the Hawks stable of backs are healthy, right? Right?

Oh whoops no, looks like the injury gods are frowning upon the halfbacks of Iowa City. Former walkon Paki O'Meara and redshirt frosh Adam Robinson will be the first two out of the gate, but third and fourth stringers Jeff Brinson and Brandon Wegher have battled injuries throughout camp. But hey, this is just another small hurdle on the road to Pasadena, which every year is paved in the finest yellow corn of Iowa and the blackened charred remains of all of their opponents and doubters.

But seriously if you're in or around the Iowa City area and have some college eligibility left, might want to contact the football offices.