Coming off their only bye weekend of the 2011 season, Iowa likely won’t have their backup quarterback available for this weekend’s game thanks to an off-field incident that led to a pair of charges.
No. 2 QB A.J. Derby, multiple media outlets are reporting, was arrested late Saturday night outside of an Iowa City drinking establishment. Derby was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication following the incident.According to criminal complaints filed in Johnson County District Court, Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from the Wildwood Smokehouse and Saloon at 4919 Walleye Drive on the far eastern edge of Iowa City. Deputies were told that an “uninvited intoxicated male” had punched out a window of a bus as he was exiting it.
After a deputy arrived on the scene, he approached the 6-5, 220-pound Derby, whom witnesses had pointed out as the man responsible for punching out the window. The criminal complaint states that Derby, who turned 20 in September, admitted to punching out the window and said that he would pay for it.
The 20-year-old Derby registered a rather pedestrian .12 BAC.
“The athletic department will follow standard policies and procedures in dealing with this, like we do with all incidents like this,” a school spokesperson said.
That standard policy, the Des Moines Register writes, usually draws at least a one-game suspension. Derby has played in two games this season, and would likely be replaced by junior John Wienke as the backup to starter James Vandenberg.