Iowa back goes from end tables to end runs

Last year, Hawkeyes RB Shonn Greene worked at a furniture store. Now he's the nation's leading rusher.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: November 20, 2008 - 7:07 AM

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Iowa running back Shonn Greene had just finished his part-battering ram, part-blur thing against Purdue on Saturday, ripping through the Boilermakers' defense for 211 yards. As he walked off the field, fans at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City serenaded him with chants of "One more year."

A junior, Greene, 23, could opt for the NFL draft. He declined a request this week for a telephone interview, as he has all season. When asked by Iowa media following Saturday's game if he would turn pro after the year, all he said was, "We'll have to see what happens. I have to sit down after the bowl game and think about it."

Whatever he does, his year has been quite a comeback for someone who, only a year earlier, was working at a furniture store while attending community college.

That's right. Perhaps the nation's best running back was trying to revive his college career after academic problems forced him off Iowa's campus -- and it sure looks like he's succeeded.

Greene leads Division I in rushing with 1,585 yards and is 107 yards away from passing Tavian Banks and becoming the Hawkeyes' all-time single-season rushing leader.

Greene has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game this season. The last Big Ten player to rush for 100 yards in every Big Ten game was Penn State's Curtis Enis in 1997.

Greene is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, given to the collegiate player of the year, and the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back. And something would be wrong if Greene isn't a Heisman Trophy finalist.

"I'm not surprised. I'm not shocked at the way he's performed," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "But I am surprised ... if the tailback who's playing for him in the first year of starting is amassing the yards he has amassed."

Greene spent last year at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City, a casualty of academic issues. He worked at McGregor's furniture store there while living with former Iowa running back Albert Young. Greene's connection to the program mostly was glancing at a television while he worked.

While he's been reluctant to speak with the media, his actions speak loudly as he re-joined the program this year and stepped in as the starting tailback. Young, currently a member of the Vikings' practice squad, has talked up his former roommate.

"Shonn was my roommate for two years, so with him we all knew he had the ability, to tell you the truth," Young said. "No one is shocked at all. We knew that, day one, the potential was there. But really he directed all his attention toward getting back on the field and he was definitely determined to do it.

"I'm sure there were some times in there where human nature kicks in and you might not even want to try to go through with it. He stuck it out, and it's paying off for him."

The Gophers will be challenged to stop a running back seemingly intent on making up for his time away from the game. Illinois coach Ron Zook said his defense was beat up after facing Greene earlier this season. Purdue's Joe Tiller called Greene the most physical back in the conference.

"We've got to swarm. We've got to attack the ball carrier," Gophers coach Tim Brewster said. "One guy is not going to tackle Shonn Greene."

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