No. 18 Iowa State received its first three video games by a mean of 21.3 factors, however Cyclones coach Matt Campbell is not in the least impressed.
Iowa State (3-0, 0-0 Massive 12) appears to be like to please its coach on Saturday when it visits Houston (1-3, 0-1) within the Cyclones’ convention opener.
The Cyclones do have a 20-19 victory over fierce rival Iowa on the ledger, however Campbell mentioned his group has to carry out a lot better to outlive in Massive 12 play.
“We have got so much to show. We’re a soccer group that is bought quite a lot of work to do,” Campbell mentioned. “If you get into convention play, you wish to be at the very least creating some momentum for your self. We have been capable of do a few of that at occasions. However to win within the Massive 12 is tough. To win week in and week out is actually, actually laborious.
“The problem for us is can we hold getting higher? Can we hold enhancing? Can we proceed to point out up? We’re on the street (this) week, which is not straightforward to do. It is actually laborious to win convention video games on the street, and it will be a terrific problem for us.”
Iowa State rolled to a 52-7 residence win over Arkansas State final weekend, constructing a 31-0 halftime lead and cruising to Campbell’s 56th win at Iowa State. That tied him with Dan McCarney (1995-2006) for many victories at school historical past.
Jayden Higgins (17 catches, 208 yards, three touchdowns in three video games) caught a landing go for the fifth straight sport to match the varsity document. Sidekick Jaylin Noel (15-317, two TDs) has caught at the very least one go in 35 consecutive video games, the fourth-longest streak at school historical past.
Cornerback Darien Porter has a team-best two interceptions for a protection that ranks ninth nationally in opponents’ scoring at 9.67 factors per sport.
The Cougars might have a tough time shifting the ball towards the Cyclones after being blanked 34-0 by host Cincinnati final weekend. Houston had simply 233 whole yards and 12 first downs.
The poor efficiency led first-year coach Willie Fritz to modify to a two-quarterback system. Donovan Smith will begin towards Iowa State, however backup Zeon Chriss additionally will see motion.
Smith has thrown 4 interceptions whereas finishing 65.3 % of his passes for 610 yards and two touchdowns. Chriss is 2-for-5 passing for 19 yards.
“They’ve each accomplished some good issues,” Fritz mentioned. “I’ve seen some good issues and a few issues not so good. We will play each of these guys, and we’ll give each alternatives to point out us what they’ll do. We have got to play higher on the different 10 guys. That is a giant half.
“The quarterback will get an excessive amount of credit score when issues go effectively, and so they get an excessive amount of blame when issues do not go effectively. The entire offense has bought to play higher. That begins with the pinnacle coach, the coordinators and the place coaches as effectively. We have got to do a greater job.”
The Cougars rank 129th (out of 133 FBS colleges) in scoring at 13 factors per sport, and so they sit 122nd in whole offense at 294.2 yards per sport.
Houston security A.J. Haulcy had 11 tackles towards Cincinnati for his eighth profession sport of 10 or extra stops. Linebacker Michael Batton had a season-high 10 tackles.
That is the primary assembly between the groups.
–Subject Stage Media