IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa sophomore Jordan Canzeri was essentially forgotten for most of the year as the Hawkeyes leaned on fellow running backs Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock. Canzeri enters Iowa’s most crucial stretch of the season more valuable than ever. Canzeri did more than just give Weisman and Bullock a breather in Iowa’s last game, a 38-14 romp at Purdue on Nov. 9. He brought Iowa’s stumbling running game to life with 165 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

The Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten) host Michigan (7-3, 3-3) on Saturday before closing out the regular season at Nebraska (7-3, 4-2). Canzeri and his fresh legs could play a key role for Iowa in the final two weeks.