There isn't much difference between a two-carry Mark Weisman and a 24-carry Mark Weisman. And the University of Iowa sophomore running back intends to keep it that way.
Weisman, who entered the Sept. 15 game against Northern Iowa with a season total of two carries for eight yards, was pressed into significant duty because of injuries to running backs Damon Bullock and Greg Garmon. He responded by carrying the ball 24 times for 113 yards and three touchdowns, and catching three passes for 33 yards.
"You have to prepare to do what I did, but you're not always expecting it to happen like that," Weisman says.
He said he intended to play fullback the majority of the game, switching to running back during goal-line situations.
Talk about another "Next Man In."
"I was confident out there; I knew I could do it," Weisman says. "I knew our line is unbelievable, so they were just making it easy for me out there."
The Hawkeyes host Central Michigan (1-1) on Saturday inside Kinnick Stadium in their final nonconference game. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., and the game will be televised by BTN.
Iowa controlled the ground against the Panthers, gaining 201 yards on 43 carries.
A photo of Weisman (seen above this story) taken shortly after the 27-16 win against Northern Iowa as he walked in the tunnel of Kinnick Stadium has been view by nearly 194,000 people and has more than 15,000 "likes" on the university athletics department Facebook page.
"I don't know if I'm a fan favorite or not. I feel the same right now, but it's cool, all the support that's been out there," Weisman says. "I try not to listen to the noise, whether it's good or bad."
Weisman is a relative newcomer to the UI after transferring in from the Air Force Academy. The big game against Northern Iowa hasn't altered his status on campus, because he says a lot of people still have no idea who he is, or what he looks like.
"Maybe they recognize me a little more in class," he says. "But I have my headphones on, so maybe that's why people haven't recognized me more. I haven't noticed a difference in the attention."
Weisman called his last outing "a little surreal." Now he prepares for Central Michigan as the No. 1 running back for the 2-1 Hawkeyes.
"It's a little different preparing (to be the starter at running back)," Weisman says. "I have the same mentality: We have to go out and work hard this week and get ready for a tough opponent in Central Michigan."