IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa starting running back Adam Robinson won't make the trip to the Insight Bowl for failing to comply with team policies, and oft-injured back Jewel Hampton will transfer.
Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz announced the moves in a statement released Monday night. The release from the school said Ferentz won't have additional comment until he and athletic director Gary Barta hold a press conference this morning.
Robinson's suspension and Hampton's plans to transfer made a bad month even worse for the scuffling Hawkeyes.
Wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has been suspended from team activities following his arrest on drug charges last week. Those charges include possession of controlled substances, keeping a drug house and unlawful possession of a prescription drug.
Robinson, a sophomore, emerged as Iowa's lead back in 2009 after Hampton tore the ACL in his right knee and missed the season. This year, he led the Hawkeyes (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) with 941 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns despite missing two starts with concussions.
"While Adam has been cleared medically, he will not be participating in the upcoming Insight Bowl game as a result of failing to comply with team expectations and policies. Adam will have the option to rejoin the team when classes resume in January," Ferentz said.
Hampton, also a sophomore, was once viewed as the heir apparent to star Shonn Greene and began this season rotating carries with Robinson. But Hampton blew out his left knee in a loss at Arizona in September and had just 114 yards rushing this season.
Freshman Marcus Coker will likely start for the Hawkeyes against No. 14 Missouri (10-2) on Dec. 28. Coker averaged an impressive five yards per carry in limited action this season.
But the suspensions of Robinson and Johnson-Koulianos for Iowa's bowl game have compounded what's quickly turned into a forgettable year for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa opened the season ranked ninth and was 7-2 after a narrow win at Indiana. But the Hawkeyes dropped their final three games, including a 27-24 loss at Minnesota in the regular-season finale, to finish just .500 in the Big Ten in a year when many believed they might win the league title.
Part of the reason Iowa had such high expectations was that it opened the season with three talented sophomore running backs: Robinson, Hampton and Brandon Wegher. Wegher left the team for personal reasons in August and didn't play this year.
The Hawkeyes will play their final game of this disappointing season without any of them.