India, Sept. 20 -- L.J. Phillips Jr., DJ Vonnahme and Tyler Brown were unavailable for Iowa's game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, September 19. All three were dealing with injuries, with Phillips still recovering from a lower-leg injury, Vonnahme out after being hurt against Iowa State and Brown working his way back from a muscle strain.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz had already indicated that none of the three was expected to play against UNI. The Hawkeyes therefore had to use other players at running back, tight end and safety as they closed out their nonconference schedule.

Phillips did not play after suffering a lower-leg injury during Iowa's season opener against Northern Illinois. The running back left that 40-0 win after carrying t...