Four downs with special teams

FOUR DOWNS WITH SPECIAL TEAMS

DEPTH CHART (No. 1 the and probables)

P - Eric Guthrie, sr., 6-6, 245; John Wienke, jr., 6-5, 220

K - Mike Meyer, true so., 6-2, 180; Trent Mossbrucker, jr., 6-0, 204; Marshall Koehn, true fr., 6-0, 160

LS - Casey Kreiter, so., 6-3, 250

H - Wienke

PR - Marvin McNutt, sr., 6-4, 215; Micah Hyde, jr., 6-1, 190

KR - Keenan Davis, jr., 6-3, 215

THE GUY

Fifth-year punter Eric Guthrie finally gets his crack at playing this year. He sat for four years behind Ryan Donahue, who is competiting for a job with the Detroit Lions. Back-up quarterback John Wienke also serves as the back-up at punter, while 23-year-old red-shirt freshman Johnny Mullings is third.

"I was always a developmental player so it really wasn't that tough (backing up Donahue)," said Guthrie, a Nevada, Iowa native. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be on the team, and now I'm excited for the chance to compete and help the team."

Guthrie had one punt last year for 32 yards in a win against Iowa State.

"He's really the guy to beat out now," Iowa special teams coach Lester Erb said. "He's a great story. He had to sit and wait four years behind Ryan and obviously that's a tough tour of duty, just kind of sitting and waiting. I think Gus is very capable."

UNDER THE RADAR

Casey Kreiter saw his only action last year in the regular-season finale at Minnesota. He's a 6-foot-3, 250-pound sophomore from DeWitt who backed up three-year long snapper Andrew Schulze the last two seasons.

Erb said Kreiter's technique is sound and his consistency has improved this fall since taking over long snapping responsibilities.

"Casey jumped in last year at the Minnesota game, and I was in the most nervous guy in the stadium," Erb said. "I told Casey that, too. Anytime you're breaking in a new snapper, you have visions of what could happen. But Casey jumped in there threw a great field goal snap back, and jumped in there on a punt and threw a strike to Ryan and then he's down there making a tackle on a  returner. That made me feel a heck of a lot better."

TOP COMPETITION

With three kickers vying for opportunities, this spot is perhaps the most competitive special teams position. True sophomore Mike Meyer hit 14 of 17 field-goal attempts last year and 31-of-33 extra-points. Junior Trent Mossbrucker started the season as the primary kicker and he hit 13 of 14 extra points before missing one and stepping aside for Meyer. True freshman Marshall Koehn possesses perhaps the position's strongest leg and also is competing for a spot.

"All three guys are showing good signs," Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. "Now the challenge is to find out who is most consistent."

RETURN GAME

Iowa has earmarked key starters Micah Hyde, a junior, and senior Marvin McNutt as likely punt returners with others like Keenan Davis also given a shot.

"I think the first thing you look at when you look at a punt returner is a guy who can field the ball consistently and cleanly," Erb said. "Then if you've got a dynamic guy back there, that just really adds to the mix. Marvin has demonstrated that he's a big-play guy. He's demonstrated good hands. That's one of the reasons we've worked him back there. But we'll have to wait and see.

"It just seems like whenever Micah touches the ball, it's a big play. Micah has done a great job back there of fielding the ball and being consistent. Keenan Davis has been back there in the past on punt returns, and we'll get a look at some of the younger guys."

Several players will get looks here, including Davis, who returned nine kickoffs for 19.4 yards a return. Iowa loses Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, who led the Big Ten in returns witha 29.3 average, which was eighth nationally.

"Kickoff return, that's going to be pretty open," Erb said.

Friday, Iowa released its depth chart and did not include any players at punt or kickoff return.