IOWA CITY — The Hawkeyes entered the week with questions at several offensive spots after a physical game against Iowa State, coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday.
Key players limited for Northern Iowa
Ferentz listed tight end DJ Vonnahme as doubtful for Saturday’s game against Northern Iowa. Vonnahme has been one of Iowa’s top passing targets through two games with 6 catches for 67 yards, second on the team only to Tony Diaz.
“I don’t think he’ll make it this week, but I think there’s a good chance a week from now he should be good to go,” Ferentz said. “But it’s day by day.”
Vonnahme’s absence would push more snaps to veteran tight ends Addison Ostrenga and Zach Ortwerth, plus younger option Thomas Meyer, who has seen playing time this season.
Running back room sore after rivalry game
Running back status is also uncertain. Starter Kamari Moulton, who leads the team with 240 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season, left the Iowa State game in the fourth quarter and is being evaluated day to day. Ferentz said the staff expects some short-term attrition after the physical matchup.
Backup L.J. Phillips Jr., who began the year as Iowa’s second-string ball carrier, is recovering from a lower-leg injury suffered in the opener. Ferentz said Phillips is progressing but unlikely to play this week.
“He’s getting better,” Ferentz said. “I don’t think he’ll make it this week, but we’ll see. I'm not going to say ‘no’ yet. It’s a lower leg thing, so just getting the confidence to play that position is a little bit different. But we’ll see. He’s making good progress.”
- DJ Vonnahme: doubtful vs. Northern Iowa; second on team with 6 receptions, 67 yards.
- Kamari Moulton: day-to-day after exiting Iowa State; leads team with 240 yards rushing, 2 TDs (183 yards in opener).
- L.J. Phillips Jr.: recovering from lower-leg injury; improving but uncertain for this week.
Ferentz framed missing Moulton for the UNI game as manageable — Iowa enters as a heavy favorite — but emphasized the importance of having key contributors healthy for the upcoming Big Ten opener at Michigan on Sept. 26, which kicks off a challenging stretch of the schedule.
Depth and short-term outlook
One bright spot for the Hawkeyes is the tight end group’s depth. Should Vonnahme sit, the combination of Ostrenga, Ortwerth and Meyer gives Iowa experienced and developing options in the passing game.
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| DJ Vonnahme | 6 catches, 67 yards |
| Kamari Moulton | 240 rushing yards, 2 TDs (183 yards in opener) |
Coaches and medical staff will monitor progress day to day. Fans hoping to see the full offensive unit back together will be watching reports all week, especially with the Michigan trip looming as a key early-season test.
Coverage of injury updates and roster changes will continue through the week as the Hawkeyes prepare for Northern Iowa at Kinnick Stadium.
