The Iowa football team will be without defensive lineman Alex Kanellis in the December 30th Alamo Bowl against Texas. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Iowa City native was suspended for violating an unspecified team rule.
That makes the possible return of defensive end Kenny Iwebema even more important. He missed the final two games after having surgery on his shoulder and has returned to practice as has cornerback Adam Shada who missed the last four games due to injury. Ferentz says its the kind of injury that Iwebema needs a month off and they don’t have that time.
Quarterback Drew Tate could be completely healthy for the game and Ferentz says he may not need the brace he wore after having surgery on his left thumb. Ferentz says it hasn’t been the smoothest of seasons for Tate, but it looks like he’s coming along. Ferentz says Tate is still wearing a brace in practice, but should be able to take it off for the ballgame.
Iowa will leave Saturday for San Antonio for what Ferentz calls a great challenge. With finals complete, he says they’ve been focusing on getting ready. Ferentz says the Hawkeyes first practice in San Antonio will be on Christmas Day. He says the only change from other bowl games is that they normally take Christmas off, but he says with Christmas on a Monday, they may have to change that.