Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette arrested for operating while intoxicated after Northwestern loss

Hours after Iowa's crushing 21-20 football loss to Northwestern, Iowa star wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was arrested for operating while intoxicated in Iowa City, Iowa.

Smith-Marsette, 21, was pulled over at 1:27 a.m. by Iowa City Police and later jailed. KCJJ Radio in Iowa City first reported the arrest.

According to the police report, Smith-Marsette was traveling 74 mph in a 30 mph zone in a white 2017 Chevy Camaro and blew a 0.13% on a blood-alcohol test, which exceeds the 0.08% limit for driving with impairment.

Officer Brad Reinhard, in the report, observed that Smith-Marsette "had blood-shot, watery eyes and smelled of alcohol" and admitted to drinking. 

According the police report, this was Smith-Marsette's first OWI offense.

The incident occurred about seven hours after the Hawkeyes fell to 0-2 for the young 2020 football season. In the loss to Northwestern, Iowa blew a 17-0 lead and failed to score in the second half. Smith-Marsette set a career-high with seven receptions (for 84 yards) in the game.

The speedy 6-foot-1 receiver is one of Iowa's best players and one of the top kickoff returners in Big Ten Conference history. He was the offensive MVP of the 2019 Holiday Bowl after scoring three touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving and one on a kick return. 

Smith-Marsette, a senior, has played in 39 games for the Hawkeyes and has 93 career receptions for 1,384 yards. He has 15 career touchdowns.

Smith-Marsette almost certainly will face a suspension from game time from head coach Kirk Ferentz. In 2018, offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs received a one-game suspension after a summertime OWI.

The Hawkeyes next face Michigan State at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. An initial request for comment from Ferentz was not immediately returned.