This story has been updated with new information
Injuries have plagued Iowa throughout the season, and that trend continued in Saturday night’s 47-7 victory over UMass.
The Hawkeyes entered the matchup already short five players. During the game, two more Iowa athletes required attention in the medical tent, while another was forced to head back to the locker room.
One of the scares came when sophomore defensive back Zach Lutmer collided with the Hawkeyes’ sideline medical tent while pursuing UMass quarterback Grant Jordan. After being evaluated inside the tent, Lutmer rejoined the action but showed signs of being slowed down.
According to Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register, the medical tent was initially in use because junior tight end Zach Ortwerth was receiving treatment. The nature and timing of Ortwerth’s injury remain unclear, and Iowa did not provide postgame updates on either player.
With senior tight end Addison Ostrenga sidelined for the season due to his Achilles injury, Iowa can ill afford a serious setback to Ortwerth.
Later in the game, redshirt freshman running back Xavier Williams left for the Iowa tunnel and returned to the sideline with his arm in a sling.
After the win, head coach Kirk Ferentz addressed Williams’ condition and also offered a positive outlook on sophomore running back Kamari Moulton’s chances of returning for Iowa’s Big Ten opener at Rutgers on Friday, Sept. 19.
“I think Kamari’s got a chance. He’s been making steady progress, and our trainer sounded optimistic late last week about where he’s at, so hopefully he’ll be ready. We should know more by Tuesday,” Ferentz said.
“As for Xavier, it doesn’t look like anything is broken, but he’s sore. That’ll be more of a day-to-day situation.”
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