Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette not impressed or interested with being ranked
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – It apparently will take a lot more than just being ranked to satisfy Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
The speedy sophomore from New Jersey dismissed the topic when asked by the media on Tuesday to comment on Iowa being ranked for the first time this season.
“We were told, but we’re still going to continue to play like we’re not ranked,” Smith-Marsette said. “That’s just the mentality, play like you’re down each and every time.
“That’s just my mentality. I’m not going to act like were 19th in the nation. I’m going to act like we’re still 26th, 27th, 30th, last. So you just have to have that mentality because once you start (thinking), oh, yeah, we’re 19th, we can do this, we can do that. No. That’s not cool. That’s not where it’s at.”
Iowa earned a spot in both polls by defeating Indiana 42-16 this past Saturday.
The Hawkeyes with records of 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, are ranked 19th in the Associated Press and 22nd in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Smith-Marsette said Tuesday there is a danger with being ranked.
“Most definitely,” he said. “We’re going to continue to play like we’re not ranked, and that’s just how it is and that’s how I want it to stay.”
Injury report: There was good news and bad news on the injury front.
First the bad news; starting fullback Brady Ross will miss Saturday’s game against Maryland due to an injury, while starting middle linebacker Jack Hockaday is doubtful because of a leg injury that he suffered against Minnesota.
Now for the good news; linebacker Nick Niemann is expected to play on Saturday after missing the last two games with an injury and running back Ivory Kelly-Martin is also expected to play after missing the Indiana game due to a head injury.
“Brady left the game the other day, he’ll be out this game, probably a couple,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday. “We will see how that goes. It's going to take a couple weeks at least to heal. I mentioned Jack, doesn't look good. I guess doubtful is the right term. I would not count on him being back with us.
“On the positive side, Ivory started practicing yesterday morning with us. Nick Niemann the same way. I think both those guys will be ready to go on Saturday, bearing the week.
Ferentz is also optimistic that sophomore cornerback Matt Hankins will play against Maryland. Hankins started the first four games but then missed the last two games because of a hand injury.
Junior Michael Ojemudia is also healthy and available at cornerback, although, Ferentz said Tuesday that true freshmen cornerbacks Julius Brents and Riley Moss will start again on Saturday. They both have started the last two games.
"That's our plan right now," Ferentz said. ".I think Hankins is pretty close to being about there, same thing with (Ojemudia). At least, we have some guys to pick from. We'll let them compete this week."
