Iowa football: Ihmir Smith-Marsette to miss only one game

Luckily for the Hawkeyes’ offense, Ihmir Smith-Marsette is only expected to miss one game.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will miss having receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette on the field against Michigan State this Saturday, but apparently his absence will only last one game.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz stated on Tuesday that Smith-Marsette is expected to only miss one game following his arrest early Sunday morning. The senior wideout was charged with driving while intoxicated and subsequently suspended by the Iowa football team on Monday.

“It’s just a regrettable decision that he made. He’ll deal with it,” Ferentz said on a conference call Tuesday. “I’ve known Ihmir for four-plus years right now. He’s a tremendous person. He’s been a great team member. And me personally, I think this is very uncharacteristic of him and surprising.”

In addition to his one-game suspension, Smith-Marsette is also expected to undergo counseling and perform community service.

Smith-Marsette is coming off a breakout campaign last season in which he posted 44 receptions for a team-leading 722 yards. He also scored 10 total touchdowns, two of which came on kickoff returns.

As for this season, Smith-Marsette – like the Iowa program – hasn’t gotten off to the start he would’ve liked. He saw five targets against Purdue but failed to record a reception. He had a much better game against Northwestern, posting seven catches for 84 yards.

In Smith-Marsette’s defense, first-year starting quarterback Spencer Petras hasn’t really gotten on the same page with any of his receivers. Through two games, the redshirt sophomore is only completing 53.9 percent of his passes and only has one touchdown compared to three interceptions.

There’s no question the Hawkeyes are a better football team when Smith-Marsette is on the field. Iowa will miss his presence – particularly on kick returns – but should be able to get by without him for just one game.