The Hawkeyes will be without wide receiver Kaleb Brown for their game against Illinois State at Duke Slater Field. During Big Ten Media Day, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announced that Brown would be suspended for one game due to an offseason arrest.
IOWA CITY, Iowa—The Hawkeyes will be without wide receiver Kaleb Brown for their game against Illinois State at Duke Slater Field. During Big Ten Media Day, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announced that Brown would be suspended for one game due to an offseason arrest. At Iowa Media Day, Brown addressed the media for the first time since the incident, expressing regret and disappointment.
“It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow,” Brown said. “Unfortunately, I let a lot of people down. It’s hard for me to accept. I want to apologize to the fans and everyone who’s supported me. I’m looking to put this behind me and focus on the season. That’s where I am right now.”
Ferentz commented on the situation during Big Ten Media Day, stating, “My message to him has been very simple: what’s happened has happened. It’s unfortunate, and we’ve had other players go through similar situations. What’s important now is how he responds, how he handles it, and what he does moving forward. Just like with a team losing a game, you can’t change the past, so we focus on what we do next. So far, he’s been handling it well.”
Since the suspension, Brown has been working to regain the trust of the coaching staff and is expected to play a significant role in Tim Lester’s new offensive scheme. The former Ohio State receiver had 22 catches for 215 yards and one touchdown last season, along with nine rushes for 54 yards.
The Hawkeyes are aiming to reshape their wide receiver usage as part of their new offensive strategy. While the offense will focus on running the football, Brown’s versatility will be crucial in preventing defenses from crowding the box and allowing the offense to open up.
Lester emphasized the importance of practice and repetition for improvement, stating, “Improvement comes with stacking reps. The hardest part is getting enough reps every single day. When Coach asks if we want more team sessions, the answer is always yes. We need more practice, running more plays, and refining our techniques. Individual drills are good, but we need to improve in many areas.”
Offensive lineman Cade Borud will also be suspended for the opening game due to an OWI. Ferentz emphasized the importance of making good decisions, especially following the team’s only open practice of the fall.
“It’s been a long time. Yeah, it’s been a long time,” Ferentz said. “We just don’t want to revisit those issues. We’ve had many players come through and have fun, but it’s crucial to be smart, particularly in today’s climate. Thankfully, no one has been hurt.”