IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — When Iowa opens the season Saturday, three of the 13 players who were hospitalized after a now-scrapped weightlifting exercise in January won’t be on the team. One walk-on player and two who were on scholarship quit the team following their hospitalization with rhabdomyolysis, a muscle disorder that caused discolored urine and extreme soreness, according to a report released this week by a committee appointed by President Sally Mason to investigate the injuries.

The walk-on quit before spring practice to concentrate on academics. One of the scholarship players left the team before spring practice, considered transferring and then stayed at Iowa but decided not to play football. The other completed spring practice but left the university for what the report described as unrelated personal reasons. The report, e-mailed to the Iowa Board of Regents and posted online Tuesday, does not identify any of the players. The second player is believed to be reserve senior cornerback Willie Lowe, who had asked for a release from his scholarship last spring to consider transferring but later decided to remain enrolled at Iowa but not rejoin the team.

The committee concluded that all 13 players appear to have completely recovered and it’s considered possible but unlikely they will develop any long-term health problems. It also noted the athletics department has reaffirmed its commitment to never again use the workout that caused the injuries and taken steps to educate employees, athletes and others about how to prevent and identify rhabdomyolysis. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has downplayed the potential impact of the offseason workouts on the Hawkeyes, saying he’s been pleased with his players’ recovery and that he and his staff members were cleared of any misconduct in the matter. Iowa hosts Tennessee Tech at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

The regents had asked the committee for a follow-up report in six months after its initial findings earlier this year. Board of Regents President Craig Lang praised the university’s multi-layered response in a letter to regents dated Tuesday. “I thank the university for its ongoing careful attention in responding to the individual needs of each player,” he said. He added he was “very pleased” the university halted the workout in question and added: “I commend the University for its commitment to improved education, communication, and medical practices for increased awareness of rhabdomyolysis and other serious health issues that could impact our student-athletes.”

Girls Team Scores (top 3):

1. Tri-Center  55
2. Audubon  59
3. Denison  80

Individual

1. Megan Diest, Audubon

2. Ashtyn Alfers, Tri-Center

3. Breezy Weaver, Missouri Valley

4. Dana Johnson, Audubon

5. Krisann Stephany, St. Albert

6. Michelle Mumm, Tri-Center

7. Paige Pauley, Missouri Valley

8. Alexa Beeck, Denison-Schleswig

9. Ruby Johnson, Audubon

10. Kaylee Grote, Tri-Center

Boys Team Scores (top 3):

1. St. Albert  49
2. Maple Valley-A-O  86
3. Missouri Valley 91

Individual:

1. Josh Sindelar, St. Albert
2. Ted Hanson, MVAO
3. Brian Steele, Boyer Valley
4. Scott Theulen, St. Albert
5. Jacob Wiley, West Monona
6. Dylan Bailey, MVAO
7. Kaleb Young, OA-BCIG
8. George Doll, St. Albert
9. Colin Freese, OA-BCIG
10. Josef Rogers, Denison-Schleswig

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa fans who travel light – really light – will be able to get into Kinnick Stadium faster at football games this season.  Fans who bring nothing to the game but their tickets will be able to go through four new express lanes at Gates C, G, I and M.  All other fans must enter at regular gates where their purses will be checked for prohibited items like alcohol and firearms.  Only small purses, fanny packs, binocular cases, blankets and seat cushions will be allowed into the stadium.  Iowa is expecting a sellout of about 70,000 fans for Saturday’s game at 11 a.m. against Tennessee Tech.

HOUSTON (AP) – Texas A&M has told the Big 12 Conference it plans to leave the league by July 2012 if it is accepted by another conference.  The move, which had been  expected, may set off another round of conference realignment in college sports. The Aggies have made it clear they want to join the 12-member Southeastern Conference.
University President R. Bowen Loftin notified the Big 12 in a letter and said it departing the Big 12 “is in the best interest of Texas A&M.” He said he hopes the move can be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.  Texas A&M had been in the Big 12 since its founding in 1996.  Loftin says the school wants greater visibility nationwide as well as “the necessary and stable financial resources” need to support athletics.

ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard Statement on Texas A&M:

“It is unfortunate that Texas A&M is moving forward with plans to depart the Big 12. They have been highly competitive in the conference and represented our league well on the national stage. Although our preference is for them to stay in the Big 12, we wish them well in the future and respect their decision. The Commissioner, Presidents and Directors of Athletics are poised to move quickly and aggressively in studying alternatives for the conference.”

w/ Jim Field

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Girls Team Scores:

1. Shenandoah  54
2. Harlan  55
3. Corning  88
4. Abraham Lincoln  97
5. Atlantic  103
6. Glenwood  128
7. Treynor  156

Individuals:

• 1.  Kristin Carmichael (Corning) 15:59
• 2.  Ali Krogman (Atlantic) 16:40
• 22.  Alex Hartwig (Atlantic) 19:13
• 24.  Liz Siggins (Atlantic) 19:16
• 25.  Alisha Hinzman (Atlantic) 19:21
• 30.  Megan Plambeck (Atlantic) 19:52
• 32.  Caroline Trewet (Atlantic) 20:21
• 33.  Allie Siggins (Atlantic) 20:27

Boys Team Scores:

1. Glenwood  25
2. Shenandoah  59
3. Thomas Jefferson  61
4. Harlan  114
5. Abraham Lincoln  120
6. Atlantic  140
7. Treynor  185
8. Red Oak  187

Individuals:

• 1.  Mark Abrams (Glenwood) 17:51
• 16.  Cory Whitt (Atlantic) 19:44
• 22.  Tian Siggins (Atlantic) 20:21
• 25.  Josiah Williams (Atlantic) 20:24
• 33.  Sam Bateman (Atlantic) 20:56
• 45.  Jake Auerbach (Atlantic) 21:42
• 47.  Derek VonSeggern (Atlantic) 21:57
• 49.  Ryan McDermott (Atlantic) 22:25

Adair-Casey 25-25-24-25, Exira-EHK 17-20-26-18
Benton, MO 25-25, Essex 11-15
East Sac County 18-25-25-25, Carroll 25-19-19-12
Essex 20-25, Fairfax, MO 25-22
Fremont-Mills 25-24-15, Tarkio, MO 14-26-10
Glidden-Ralston 20-25-25-25-16, Orient-Macksburg 25-14-16-27-14
Guthrie Center 25-25-25, Audubon 16-19-18
Martensdale-St Marys 25-23-25-25, Nodaway Valley 17-25-21-19
Missouri Valley 25-25-25, Logan-Magnolia 13-17-13
Rock Port, MO 25-25, Essex 16-16
St. Albert, Council Bluffs 25-25-17-26, Clarinda 22-21-25-24
Tri-Center, Neola 25-25, East Mills 8-12
Tri-Center, Neola 25-25, Sidney 9-12
Underwood 25-24-15, Fremont-Mills 19-26-11
Villisca 25-29-25, Griswold 14-27-21

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says quarterback A.J. Derby will likely open the season as the backup to junior James Vandenberg. Derby, a 6-foot-4, 232-pound redshirt freshman from Iowa City, would get the nod over James Wienke as the reserve behind Vandenberg. Ferentz on Tuesday praised Derby for his size, quick feet and competitiveness. But it appears unlikely that the Hawkeyes will prepare special packages for Derby simply to get him on the field. Derby could see playing time as early as Saturday, though, when the Hawkeyes host FCS school Tennessee Tech. Iowa has won its last 10 openers by an average of 31.5 points, allowing backups like Derby to get experience.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s Marvin McNutt is one of the nation’s best receivers, a 6-foot-4 perfect fit for the Hawkeyes. McNutt might have trouble finding open space if Iowa can’t find anyone else dangerous enough to keep defenses honest. Junior wide receiver Keenan Davis is among the inexperienced players the Hawkeyes are leaning on after losing 12 starters from a year ago. Davis had just 11 catches in 2010 while playing behind McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. He’ll get his first career start on Saturday when Iowa opens the season at home against Tennessee Tech. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Davis has shown potential as a big-play receiver. He says the next step for Davis is to prove it on Saturdays.

     IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The dog who touched hearts all over the world by lying next to the casket of a slain Navy SEAL might lead the Iowa Hawkeyes onto the field during a game this season.  The university said Tuesday it will honor Jon Tumilson and other veterans at one of two home games in November. The team says it will work with Tumilson’s family to determine what role his loyal dog, Hawkeye, might play.  Tumilson was one of 30 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 6 in a helicopter crash. Photos of his pet Labrador retriever lying near his casket during a funeral service went viral.  A former player suggested the dog lead the team before Saturday’s game against Tennessee Tech and fans embraced the idea.