Iowa is expected to be without linebacker Nick Niemann when the Hawkeyes return from their bye week with a visit to Minnesota. Niemann suffered a leg injury late in a loss to Wisconsin and defensive coordinator Phil Parker says sophomore Barrington Wade and junior Kristian Welch are expected to fill in.

Parker has been pleased with the play of the linebackers after losing all three starters from a year ago.

Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz says the tweaked their practice schedule heading into the Minnesota game. The Iowa offense has struggled the past few years coming off a bye week.

Ferentz says the improvement on offense the past few weeks can be traced to better production on first down.