The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Notebook: Iowa CB Hyde stripped of captaincy, won’t face suspension after arrest

Micah Hyde will play on Oct. 13 against Michigan State. But an Oct. 6 arrest will at least temporarily cost the senior cornerback his captaincy.

“That definitely hurts,” he said. “I feel it, because since I’ve been here, I’ve tried to lead my team in the right direction. This year being my senior year, I wanted to definitely have the captain name under my belt … [But] I’m fortunate I get to go out and play on Saturday, and I’m going to play my best.”

Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced on Tuesday that linebacker Christian Kirksey would replace Hyde as a defensive captain, but that his top cornerback wouldn’t be suspended for his legal run-in during the team’s bye weekend. Ferentz said he took Hyde’s history of good behavior into account in making that decision.

“I think you have to consider the résumé of people you’re involved with,” Ferentz said. “In Micah’s case, Micah might have jaywalked sometime during his three and a half years here, but I’m not aware of it. We haven’t had a better guy come through here. He had a bad weekend, no question about that, and he feels terrible about it.”

Ferentz said the team changed its curfew rules after three Hawkeyes ran into legal trouble last weekend. Hyde was charged with public intoxication and interference with official acts, Ray Hamilton was ticketed for presence in a bar after hours, and Drew Clark was also charged with public intoxication.

The coach that said while he would prefer his players to have “a glass of milk and a few graham crackers and go to bed by 10 o’clock,” that isn’t realistic with college students.

Hyde apologized to his family and team for what he called “a stupid decision.” But the 21-year old cornerback also indicated there was an untold side to the story.

“Coach Ferentz knows the truth, and he’s keeping it in-house,” Hyde said. “As far as everybody else having their own stories, I could care less. When people get in trouble, you want to speculate on what happened … But I know what the problem was. Maybe someday it might get out, but I could care less. The people close to me know.”

Hyde was asked what had really happened. But then Iowa director of athletic communications Steve Roe tapped him on the shoulder. Hyde looked over, and Roe shook his head.

“I’ve got a game to prepare for this week,” Hyde said. “I’m not going to go there.”

Weisman, Bullock might share backfield

Damon Bullock will return to the field against the Spartans, and Ferentz said the team needed him in action despite the emergence of Mark Weisman.

“They both have shown they’re capable players,” he said. “Two different types of players certainly, but they both have done a good job this year. We’re going to need them both moving forward. If we end up playing them at the same time, that’s great.”

Bullock, who ran for 150 yards and a game-winning touchdown in the team’s season-opener on Sept. 1, could provide more speed and elusiveness to complement Weisman’s hard-charging style. But having two productive running backs, Weisman said, would naturally lead to some competition for carries.

“We can definitely work together out there,” Weisman said. “We did it at the beginning of the year. I think it can work … It’s always a competition, but it’s a good competition. We’re making each other better and making each other work harder.”

Blythe, Lowery in question

Right guard Austin Blythe and cornerback B.J. Lowery missed Iowa’s game against Minnesota on Sept. 29 with injuries. Neither was listed on the team’s depth chart for the week, and Ferentz said he wasn’t sure either would play.

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