By John Bohnenkamp

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Erick All’s knee injury was as bad as expected.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed on Tuesday that All, the Hawkeyes’ starting tight end who leads the team in receptions, will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in last Saturday’s 15-6 win at Wisconsin.

“We were worried about that on Saturday,” Ferentz said. “And tests confirmed that. He’s going to miss the rest of the year. Really unfortunate. He’s done a great job.”

All, who transferred from Michigan in the offseason, had 21 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns this season.

The Hawkeyes have already lost tight end Luke Lachey, who had 10 catches for 231 yards this season, to an ankle injury that likely will keep him out the rest of the season. Addison Ostrenga, who started the season No. 3 on the depth chart, is working his way back from an injury.

Ferentz said Ostrenga did some work during Tuesday’s practice, and said of his availability on Saturday, “Optimistic but we’ll have to see how the week goes.”

Senior Steven Stilianos is listed at No. 1 on the depth chart for Saturday’s game against Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium. Johnny Pascuzzi, a sophomore, is No. 2. Zach Ortwerth, now at No. 3 on the depth chart, played in the three tight-end sets after All went out of last Saturday’s game.

“Technically we’re playing a 4, 5 and 6 (on the depth chart) at tight end the other night, the three guys that were out there,” Ferentz said. “You’re probably not going to sleep well knowing that was the case going into the game. But those guys all played.

“(Stilianos) did a good job. Johnny did a nice job. Ortwerth is in the army now — as of last Saturday he’s in there playing. Thought he did a good job for the first time out there.”

Ferentz said even fullback Hayden Large, who moved from tight end before the season, could go back to his old spot.

“He has that flexibility,” Ferentz said. “We’re out of guys, so he’ll definitely get work there. He’s probably one of the four guys getting work. He’s a smart guy so he can do both.

“But they’re not like the three guys that were playing, I guess that’s kind of the difference right now. We’re playing catch-up in that regard.”

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QUARTERBACK QUESTIONS: Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill has completed just 27-of-70 passes, with two interceptions and two touchdowns.

Asked what needs to happen to improve that percentage, Ferentz said, “Throw it more accurately and catch it better, and protect better. Those are the things.”

Ferentz said the crucial thing for Hill, who will be making his third start of his career this Saturday, is to keep learning the position while not making mistakes that could be costly for a team with little margin for error on offense at this point.

“I know this — we didn’t turn it over the other night, I know that,” Ferentz said. “He had something to do with that.

“So you just take it as it is. And we’re just trying to focus on his improvement, too. A little bit better tempo, this (and) that. Footwork, whatever it may be. And, but first things first — don’t get us in trouble. don’t make bad decisions. don’t press. All the things that you lose games real quickly if you start doing some things.”

Hill knows he can’t press.

“It’s just trusting the game plan, trusting what we’ve seen on tape, and not trying to force any opportunities,” Hill said. “The opportunities will present themselves, and when they’re there, you take advantage of it. But when they’re not there, don’t try to force anything. Don’t take any risks that aren’t necessary.”

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SWARMING: Joe Evans is in his sixth season with the Hawkeyes, so he is quite familiar with the traditions surrounding the program.

Evans talked on Tuesday about how much “The Swarm,” the way the Hawkeyes take and leave the field during games, means to him.

“‘The Swarm’ means so much to me, because it’s not only you and your brothers out there, but everyone from the past, too,” Evans said. “It’s bringing everyone together, which is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

“Twenty years ago, guys behind us were doing the same exact thing that we’re doing. ‘The Swarm,’ to me, means that we’re going out there together to fight for each other.”