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Vandenberg, Coker lead Iowa new backfield

Sports

September 2nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi spent the past two seasons handing off to a revolving door of talented running backs. The Hawkeyes are hoping new starter James Vandenberg can spend the next two years handing off to Marcus Coker and getting the heck out of the way. Iowa’s new backfield duo of Vandenberg and Coker will make its debut on Saturday when the Hawkeyes host FCS school Tennessee Tech in the opener. Vandenberg will be making his fourth career start, and Coker his fifth. They’ve never started at the same time, but Iowa is confident the pair will emerge as focal points for its rebuilt offense in 2011.