Hawkeye helmet stickers

I didn't catch College Football Final last night, which means I not only missed the helmet sticker awards at the end of the show but also the Final Verdict. More and more each week I'm invinced the College Football crew offers the most knowledgeable, thorough, and entertaining NCAA commentary. (Then again, what competition do they have?) It's seriously a joy to watch their halftime analysis, highlight segues, and even their in-game teases, as if the water and fire chemistry between Lou Holtz and Mark May isn't enough incentive to tune in. Anyway, before going to bed I set the DVR to record the replay and watched it this morning.

Big surprise: Holtz gave Iowa running back Shonn Greene a helmet sticker, his second this season. Greene had a great day against Purdue — 30 rushes for 211 yards and two touchdowns — but I think he received the sticker because he is the only FBS/Division 1 back to have rushed for 100 yards in each game this season.


Greene is a beast, and he's become a celebrity in Iowa City.


A lot of Hawks fans are wondering and worried if he'll forgo his senior year to turn pro. Pat Harty's column in today's Iowa City Press-Citizen sums up the situation:

It was only a matter of time before somebody asked Greene the question that Iowa fans have been asking ever since he started his meteoric ascent.

So are you going to go pro, meaning was this your last game at Kinnick Stadium?

"I don't know," Greene said with a bunch of microphones shoved in his face. "I'm not thinking about that right now. I'm trying to get to a better bowl game."

That's the best answer Greene can give at this point, even if he is paying more attention to his future than he claims to be.

But I for one would be shocked if Greene came back for his senior season, not just because he is 23 years old, but what else does he have to prove at this stage?

You could argue that Greene is the best college running back in the country right now. He left Kinnick Stadium on Saturday leading the nation in rushing with 1,585 yards and with fans chanting, "one more year."

Personally I'd like to see him return, and not just because he has incredible potential on the football field: I want him to get a degree. Too many college athletes leave academics in pursuit of fat checks in the NFL and NBA, then have nothing to fall back on when their playing careers are over. (A lot return to college at that point to finish.) But, to their credit, many do it out of necessity. If the opportunity is there why not take it? I don't blame Greene if he leaves; a higher education will always be within reach no matter how old he is, but, in terms of his physical abilities, time waits for no one.

I hope people quit hounding him to make a decision. Get off his back. Not only does he have the Gophers to focus on, he also has class.

Last week I didn't post anything about this, though I thought about it: Mark May awarded Iowa kicker Daniel Murray a helmet sticker for his clutch, game winning field goal against Penn State.


Murray is an Iowa City boy. Despite the fact he went to Regina — IC's snobbish Catholic school — I have to give him some love. I'll always remember the kick because my dad called me a few plays before the attempt and we shared a collective "Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaah!" as the ball split the uprights.

Congrats, Shonn and Daniel. Hope you like those autographed shirts.

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