Former Pleasant Valley star Brett Greenwood, who left the field on a stretcher last Saturday at Michigan State, started at free safety for Iowa on Saturday but lasted one series.

"Brett was still pretty busted up from last week,'' said Joe Conklin, who replaced him. "He gave it a run but he wasn't quite feeling 100 percent so he took himself out.''

Conklin, who played at Davenport Assumption, said he knew there was a good possibility he was going to have to play Saturday. He said he felt ready.

"Joe did great,'' strong safety Tyler Sash said. "He made all the right checks and calls, just like he does in practice.''

NEW RETURN GUYS: With Bettendorf's Colin Sandeman sidelined by an injury, Iowa had to find a new punt return man. Freshman Keenan Davis muffed the first punt he tried to catch, falling on it himself. He was replaced by Amari Spievey, who also fumbled on a return late in the first half, giving Indiana a touchdown that made the score 21-7.

LONG RUN: Tyler Sash's 86-yard interception return for a touchdown was the first by a Hawkeye since Amari Spievey returned a pick 57 yards for a score at Minnesota in the final regular-season game a year ago.

It was fifth longest interception return in Iowa history and gives Sash an Iowa career-record 350 yards in interception return yardage.

TOPPING 100: Brandon Wegher rushed for three touchdowns and gained 118 yards on 25 carries in his start at running back, an effort that included gaining 47 yards on Iowa's final touchdown drive.

"We weren't surprised by anything Brandon did,'' Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "What he showed is what we've been seeing all along. It was great to see him get that last touchdown. This should be a big confidence booster for him.''

STARTING ON DEFENSE: For only the 16th time in its past 126 games, Iowa started on defense Saturday.

The Hawkeyes won the toss, but with a stiff north wind blowing through Kinnick opted to defer until the second half. The Hoosiers took the football and opened the game with an 11-play, 69-yard scoring drive.

It marked the first time in 11 games that Iowa had not opened on offense.

'REALLY PROUD': Even after blowing a big lead for the second week in a row, Indiana coach Bill Lynch said he was "really proud'' of his team.

"They came in here and battled the whole way,'' Lynch said. "There were a lot of crazy plays in that game from about the middle of the third quarter on. We just lost to a great football team that's very deserving of where they are.''

HOOSIERS HURTING: Indiana's Ray Fisher, who leads the Big Ten in kickoff returns, was limited to one kickoff return for 25 yards, then went to the sidelines with an undisclosed injury. Fisher, who also starts at cornerback, was in street clothes by halftime.

The Hoosiers also played without starting free safety Nick Polk, who was hurt in practice on Thursday.

SUPPORT GROUP: Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi admitted that if he had been in the stands, he probably would have booed himself when he threw four interceptions in the third quarter. But he said he never saw any lack of support from his teammates.

He said punter Ryan Donahue walked up to him on the sideline and said, "Just go out there and have the best fourth quarter ever.''

MISSING THE MARK: Daniel Murray missed his first field goal attempt in three weeks Saturday, sending a 44-yard try low and wide to the left with 6 minutes, 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

"That looked like one of my golf shots,'' Murray said.

The miss was the fifth in 19 tries this season for the junior, who had hit six straight since missing a 53-yard attempt in Iowa's win over Michigan.