Iowa is preparing to take on Pittsburgh in a Big Ten vs. ACC clash of unbeaten teams this week (they’re each 2-0), but the Hawkeyes will be a tad thinner at running back than hoped. Derrick Mitchell Jr. has been suspended from the program for a violation of the University of Iowa’s student life code of conduct. The nature of the violation and the length of the suspension are not publicly known at this time.
“Derrick has been suspended due to football program and student life code of conduct violation,” a release from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “This is not a legal issue. Derrick is working through the issues at hand in regards to being in good standing as a University of Iowa student. We will follow the established university protocol as we move forward.”
The good news, supposedly, is this is not considered a legal issue.
RB Derrick Mitchell suspended for student life code of conduct issue, not a legal issue, according to Iowa.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) September 14, 2015
Mitchell has not appeared in either of Iowa’s first tow games of the season. He was held out of the season opener for an unknown injury and did not dress for Iowa’s weekend trip to Iowa State. The loss of Mitchell trims the depth at the position a week after starting running back LeShun Daniels Jr. suffered an ankle injury against the Cyclones. It is unknown if Iowa’s starting running back will be available to play the Panthers this week. As it stands now, Jordan Canzeri the only running back that is both healthy and trustworthy on the field.