It’s not been a good last few days -- hell, months -- to be a running back at Iowa.
Two days ago, Brandon Wegher was granted a release from his scholarship after missing the 2010 season due to personal reasons.
Now comes word that the Hawkeyes will be without the services of two of their top three running backs for the bowl game, and one of them permanently.
According to a press release issued by the school, leading rusher Adam Robinson has been suspended for the Insight Bowl for violating unspecified team rules. Fellow back Jewel Hampton, beset by injuries for most of his Iowa career, has decided to transfer.
“Jewel Hampton has decided to leave the team and plans to transfer to another school to complete his degree and finish his career. We wish him the best of success in the future,” said head coach Kirk Ferentz.
“While Adam has been cleared medically, he will not be participating in the upcoming Insight Bowl game as a result of failing to comply with team expectations and policies. Adam will have the option to rejoin the team when classes resume in January.”
Robinson had missed two of Iowa’s final four games due to injury, but still led the Hawkeyes with 941 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. It also means that Iowa will be without their leading rusher and leading receiver for the postseason game; wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested a week ago and hit with multiple drug charges.
Hampton finishes his Iowa career with 577 yards rushing and eight touchdowns.
There were rumors flying all around the ‘net throughout the afternoon and into the evening that there could be a dozen or more dismissals/suspensions coming for the Hawkeyes; that’s not the case as of right now, but the speculation still persists that there are more on the horizon.
Incidentally, Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta will hold a press conference Tuesday morning to address questions regarding this situation.