Weisman Questionable with Sprained Ankle: Daily Iowan Reader, October 17

Iowa Notebook: Weisman questionable with sprained ankle

Iowa was already going to have a tough time putting up points against Penn State, the Big Ten’s second-best scoring defense, on Saturday.

But now the Hawkeyes might have to play without the guy who has scored 8 of the team’s 12 touchdowns.

Running back Mark Weisman sprained his ankle on a last-minute, game-tying touchdown run against Michigan State on Oct. 13. Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz said on Tuesday that Weisman has  “a lot of progress to make to be able to play” and that Iowa would prepare as if the sophomore back won’t be available.

“Realistically, you’re talking about a guy trying to be a running back … I’d say if he was our left guard, maybe it would be different,” Ferentz said. “But it’s tough for a guy to just gut it up and play running back. It’s really hard.”

Weisman was not made available at the team’s weekly media gathering on Tuesday. He said after the game on Oct. 13 that he would “definitely” play against Penn State.

But he spent the weekend in a walking boot. And even though an MRI on Monday showed what Ferentz called “nothing overly concerning,” Weisman will only put in light work during the week of practice.

True freshman Greg Garmon would get the start in Weisman’s place, with sophomore Jordan Canzeri backing him up. Canzeri is ready to return from an ACL tear in spring practice, and Ferentz said the team would have to count on him to carry the ball. 

Read more here.

UI students pack the Bijou for UISG’s presidential debate viewing

A large crowd of University of Iowa students watched the second presidential debate Tuesday night in the Bijou Theater.

Read more here.

Sutliff Bridge reopening brings new hope for community

The historic Sutliff Bridge — destroyed in the 2008 flood — cost a little under $1.5 million to reconstruct.

Read more here.

School board to cast final vote on funding at Nov. 6 meeting

If the plan is approved, community voters will have a chance to vote on Feb. 5.

Read more here.

Bedell Entrepreneurial Lab hopes to expand despite funding delays

Student business ventures are still taking advantage of the resources available through the lab.

Read more here.

Faculty council amends criminal background check policy

Simple misdemeanors — including public intoxication, possession of alcohol under the legal age, and failure to provide proof of insurance — will not be held against candidates applying for university jobs.

Read more here.

Big Ten Notebook: Spartans ready to bounce back in rivalry game

Michigan State is looking for its fifth-straight win over Michigan, and the game comes at a good time.

Read more here.

Golf career doesn’t end after graduating for former Iowa golfers

Four former Hawkeye golfers are attempting to qualify for the PGA Tour.

Read more here.

Editorial: Obama’s drone assassinations cruel

This foreign policy adopted by Obama’s administration is not only ineffective, it is also cruel to the point of violating our Eighth Amendment.

Read more here.