By STEVE BATTERSON

sbatterson@qctimes.com

IOWA CITY - Jordan Bernstine is determined to go out with a bang.

That shouldn't be difficult.

The hard-hitting Hawkeye is making the most of his senior season in an Iowa football uniform.

"I've waited a long time to be healthy, be involved and it feels good to finally be having the type of season I know I am capable of having," Bernstine said. "It hasn't been an easy road."

Bernstine arrived at Iowa in the fall of 2007 as a Parade all-American following a two-time all-state career at Des Moines Lincoln.

Because of a multitude of injuries, he took the field this fall as a senior with 25 tackles and two kickoff returns on his collegiate resume.

He had positioned himself as the top of the depth chart at cornerback following spring drills in 2009 after two years as a reserve, but a broken ankle forced him to redshirt that season.

"Things haven't gone as planned," Bernstine said. "If had sat down and written a script, it wouldn't have been written this way, but everything I've been through has made me appreciate the opportunities I have now that much more."

Bernstine recorded 15 tackles in Iowa's victory over Michigan, the most by a Hawkeye since Pat Angerer finished with 16 against Minnesota in 2009.

He followed that with five tackles last week against Michigan State and currently ranks third on the Iowa tackle charts with 65 stops this season, trailing only linebackers Christian Kirksey and James Morris.

The setback to the Spartans all but ended the Hawkeyes hopes of earning a spot in the inaugural Big Ten title game, but his own injury-filled career provides Bernstine with the motivation to forge ahead.

"We've got two more games left and we've got to go out and win those two," Bernstine said. "We can't let the Michigan State loss beat us twice. We have to bounce back."

That's something Bernstine knows all about.

"When you have to sit and watch, when you have the chance to play taken away from you by an injury, the motivation is there once you get back on the field," Bernstine said.

Opponents are feeling that motivation with every hit he makes.

"Bernstine doesn't get cheated," cornerback Micah Hyde said.

From the strong safety position he has started at in each of Iowa's last eight games, Bernstine is delivering bone-rattling tackles and enjoying every minute of it.

"He's one of those guys who loves to hit and loves to hit at full speed," Hyde said. "He shows up at practice with his pads on ready to go. I'm glad I'm not going up against him in contact drills every day. He's going to put the hit on you if he gets the chance."

Bernstine has averaged 7.8 tackles per game in Big Ten play this season, a number that ranks 12th overall in the league and rates as the second-best effort by a defensive back.

"I try to approach everything the same way and put as much into the game as I can," Bernstine said.

That hasn't gone unnoticed.

"I think he's making up for lost time," cornerback Shaun Prater said. "He's pretty motivated this season. It's his one shot and he is making the most of it."

Coach Kirk Ferentz praises the effort Bernstine has turned in on a regular basis for the Hawkeyes.

"Sometimes when a player has been out as much as he has, had to deal with as many setbacks as he has faced, it takes a little of the edge off of their game," Ferentz said. "That hasn't been the case with Jordan. He's done a great job of helping our football team, playing the way you would hope a senior would play."

That extends beyond his spot in the secondary.

Bernstine currently ranks third in the Big Ten in kick returns, averaging 25.4 yards per return in conference games.

"The guys are doing a good job blocking them up for me," Bernstine said. "I'm just trying to hit it as hard as I can and make something out of it."

It's a no-holes-barred approach that carries over from his work on the defensive side of the ball.

"I think the only speed the guy knows is full speed," Hyde said. "He's the vocal one, getting all of the DBs pumped up and ready to go. He brings a lot of energy and he won't let this team go down without a fight, no matter what. I'm glad we wear the same uniform."