Stories about Iowa State
What’s Scary About Iowa State? 8 comments
It's almost impossible to imagine a more nightmarish scenario than the one that lead to Iowa State's 9-7 victory over the Huskers in Lincoln. No starting quarterback for the Cyclones. No stud running back. Getting four turnovers inside the five yard line, four others elsewhere.
At the time, it seemed a miracle that the Nebraska defense kept it a game. Of course, as we were to learn in the games to come, keeping the Huskers in the game was the stock and trade of last year's defense.
But this year's game could be more about the offenses on the field. The Cyclones return only four starters off a defense that finished second in the Big 12 in turnovers gained last year (you're welcome), but they will presumably have both Austen Arnaud and Alexander Robinson this time around.
Iowa State, Kansas State Players Named to Rivals “All-Losers” Team 22 comments
No, this isn't one of our satire pieces and yes Rivals.com College Football editor Mike Huguenin did trot out an "All-Losers" team. Basically, he touts prominent players on teams that he believes will finish with losing records. While nothing more than a dubious honor for the players singled out, it also means he's predicting that the teams they play for will finish with losing records. So perhaps that's a vote of confidence for the other Big 12 schools that no one outside of Iowa State or Kansas State made the team. Or perhaps it's even worse, no one on say Colorado, Baylor, or Kansas is good enough to make the All-Loser team.
Iowa State Post-Mortem 13 comments
What is there to break down when looking at the Huskers on Saturday? Nothing but the eight turnovers. It was like a bad three stooges scene that lasted for 60 minutes. This broken record is starting to drive me a bit crazy, and it probably should be driving the offensive coaches crazy right now (the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results). I have seen the same problems over and over again, and I'm so sick of it, that I'm starting to become a little complacent.
Eight (8!) - A Musing… 19 comments
Saturday afternoon's game was ridiculous. The number 8 just keeps rattling around in my head. The images of all those turnovers replay in my mind. It's enough to make you crazy. Sometimes, the only way to stay sane is to laugh. If you can't find a way to laugh at it yourself or tough times, you are cooked. So, for now, I offer this ridiculous post for an equally ridiculous situation.
Eight Turnovers Leave Huskers Out in the Cold 34 comments
You want to give Iowa State credit, but it's hard. Especially when plays like Niles Paul's fumble occur that are essentially unforced. The defense played a great game, which became another wasted effort. Now not only are Nebraska's prospects of winning the division in doubt, the appearance in a bowl game is in doubt.
A Truly Must Win Game 19 comments
There's some talk that this year's Iowa State team is much improved from a year ago. And while ISU's four wins to date easily top last year's pair or wins, the Cyclones may not be a favorite in any of their remaining games (though the contest at Texas A&M or home date with Colorado are possibilities). Still, ISU is nearly a three touchdown underdog to Nebraska. And it's because this Cyclone team is so lightly regarded, that this weekend's game in Lincoln feels like a must win for Nebraska.
Observations From Ames 9 comments
After a misty morning, it was a sunny cool day in Ames. If you only saw the tailgating and you didn't know any better, you'd think that Iowa State had a good team for a long time. But when you interact with Iowa State fans, or more precisely fail to interact, you see a group of fans not willing to invest themselves emotionally in the outcome of the game. In truth, that's probably how it ought to be. The game is entertainment and not something to get too worked up about. It also creates an environment that is not intimidating to visiting teams. The in-stadium experience included a miked yell leader coaxing fans into the game and a scoreboard telling fans to get loud on third down. Obviously, they couldn't be expected to show enthusiasm otherwise.
Bates Could Have Been NU’s Problem 7 comments
Omaha native Phillip Bates was one of those highly touted Nebraska products that chose to play elsewhere. Lately, there's been talk of Bill Callahan's recruiting mistakes, but apparently missing out on Bates wasn't one of them.
Husker Defense May Be Rested and Ready 8 comments
A year ago, Nebraska opened its conference season with a 35-17 victory over Iowa State in Lincoln. But in that game, the Huskers lost the time of possession battle by a nearly two to one margin. The Cyclones ran 102 plays and milked the clock in the process. A statistic came out showing how teams that yielded that many plays, usually lost the following game. Sure enough, NU lost 41-6 at Missouri the following week.
Previewing Iowa State - Ask a Blogger 1 comment
As part of our continuing coverage of Nebraska's 2008 opponents, we are asking our comrades in blogging to give us the inside skinny on the teams they cover. This week's features center on the Iowa State Cyclones. For all things ISU, I posed my probing questions to the Clone Chronicles – a well run site dedicated to ISU Athletics. Make a point to check them out, if you don't already. Now…on to the five questions.
Iowa State Breakdown: More of the Same 4 comments
The Iowa State Cyclones are a team that I sometime forget about. It's just easy to overlook them on the schedule or mark them an automatic win. I hope that Bo Pelini does not make my mistake. In this AAS (After Appalachian State) world that we live in, no coach should forget about any team, even if their record was 3-9 the year before. In the past six years, the Cyclones have averaged around 5-7 with about 2 or 3 wins in conference. If one conference win in 2008 is Baylor, that means someone is going to get the surprise of their season against Iowa State.
Rushville’s Johnson Fights for Time at ISU 4 comments
I grew up in Western Nebraska. Not North Platte or Kearney or Valentine, but real Western Nebraska, nearly equidistant from the Wyoming and South Dakota borders Western Nebraska, just 1000 feet short of being a mile high Western Nebraska.
Most people just call it the sticks and that's fine, I don't need to wax poetic about it to either prove or disprove that notion. The fact is, there aren't a lot of people out there and that's part of the beauty of it but when it comes to producing Division I football talent, population density is your friend. That's what makes the fact that Rushville's Brandon Johnson is entering his senior year at Iowa State that much more remarkable.
Opponent Previews 2008: Iowa State 0 comments
The consensus expectation seems to be that Iowa State will finish last in the Big 12 North (Sporting News, Athlon, Phil Steele, USA Today, Lindy, etc. etc.) The silver lining for Cyclone fans is it won't be hard to exceed expectations.
Big 12 Recruiting Roundup: Iowa State 8 comments
If there's one team in the Big 12 North that distanced itself from the rest on signing day, it was Iowa State. The bad news for Cyclone fans, however, is that it was in the wrong direction.
Big 12 State of the Union: Iowa State 7 comments
The Cyclones made strides in 2007…just kidding. Actually Iowa State went from 4-8 in 2006 to 3-9 in 2007 under first year head coach Gene Chizik. The over-under might be 4-8 for next year too.
Huskers Thwart Iowa State 1 comment
Yes, that headline says "Thwart". That's the right word. Look it up if you want. You could also say NU ruined, spoiled, or foiled ISU in a game where the Cyclones ran 102 offensive plays, but managed to lose by 18 points. The Huskers had to overcome early turnover problems and use timely plays by linebacker Bo Ruud and cornerback Courtney Grixby to secure a 35-17 victory on Saturday in Lincoln.
Sizing Up Iowa State (2007) 5 comments
A look at the ISU depth chart gives you a quick sense as to why they're 1-3 so far this season. Their offensive line is a patchwork unit with the tackle spots manned by a skinny junior college transfer and a redshirt freshman. With the exception of their nose tackle, the front seven for the Cyclone defense is undersized. The secondary isn't real big either.
Can the Huskers Survive? 6 comments
While legions of Husker fans are debating whether or not Kevin Cosgrove is a worthy defensive coordinator, Buddy Wyatt a worthy defensive line coach, etc., the real question surrounding the defense might be whether there are going to be enough healthy bodies to get through a tough schedule.
Chizik’s Honeymoon Over 6 comments
Time of death, Thursday night August 30th. Mark it. That's the official time that the Gene Chizik honeymoon at Iowa State ended, right after they lost by nine points at home to a Kent State team that hadn't beaten a BCS conference team in twenty years. Already Cyclone fans are saying, “McCarney would not have lost that game�.
2007 Opponent Preview…Iowa State 48 comments
Husker fans may remark, “Didn't we just see this game�? Replace “Iowa� with “Ball� and the Huskers may well put on an encore performance from the week before. Look for a game where Nebraska dominates the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and runs 45+ times.
Chizik Won’t Save Cyclones 31 comments
Iowa State made the right move in firing Dan McCarney. Not only were the Cyclones under McCarney failing on the field, but they were failing in living rooms around the country to recruit the kind of athletes that are needed to compete in the Big 12. Chizik arrives at Iowa State with an impressive resume. However, nowhere on that resume does it say “standout recruiter�.
Worst…Broadcast…Ever 16 comments
I can't believe it. But, the ABC crew that produced this game made me long for a chance to listen to Jim Rose. Okay, maybe not that far. But, I'd settle for Fox Sports. The producers and crew were factually inaccurate, unobservant and flat out biased throughout the game. I knew there was trouble right from the start when Dan Fouts was doing the play-by-play instead of color. What's up with that?? Fouts was pretty good as Keith Jackson's color guy for several years. But, he's no play-by-play man. The name of his partner escapes me, which should tell you how impressive he was, too. Here are some of the problems I noticed (and this list is by no means all-inclusive).
Thoughts Following the Win Over ISU 5 comments
There are many things worth discussing following NU's win over Iowa State on Saturday. And, by all means, have at them Husker fans. From the revived running game to the supposed 'Gold Out' that ISU fans tried to create, the topics abound. For me, the things that merit the most discussion are Taylor's mastery of the QB position and cutting Coach Cos some slack.
Huskers Run Past Iowa State 0 comments
The Nebraska Cornhuskers put in a workman-like performance against Iowa State Saturday night in Ames, Iowa, rushing for more than 250 yards and holding Iowa State to seven points for much of the game. The resulting 28-14 Husker win moves NU to 5-1 on the season (2-0 in the Big 12) and dumps the Cyclones to 3-3 and 0-2 in the conference.
Game Day info for Nebraska - Iowa State 0 comments
Ahhhh, can you smell that? It's Husker game day! Since you probably have a big day of game preparations ahead of you, allow me to summarize everything you need to know about tonight's game:
- Iowa State Game Day Page - This page has information on live TV, radio and internet coverage, stats, news and everything we've ever written about Iowa State. Start here.
- Iowa State Game Day Pocket Guide - Don't forget to print out your two page pocket guide. It has depth charts, stats, matchups and everything else you'll need while you're watching the game.
- Husker Football Podcast - Have a listen to this week's podcast with your morning coffee. It's only 16 minutes long, but it packs a punch!
Game Day Pocket Guide for Iowa State 3 comments
I have it on pretty good authority that Coach Callahan carries our Game Day Pocket Guide on the sidelines.
I mean, it has everything a guy (or gal) could need on game day: depth charts, conference standings, stats, matchups. What else could he be carrying?
Lucky for you, we also offer this pocket guide to the public for free. Download it now and print it out for the game. Just don't let anyone from Iowa State get their hands on it.
Sizing Up Iowa State 0 comments
Like most Big XII teams, the Cyclones have an offensive line with fairly prototypical size (tall and 300+ lbs.). Statistically, this group has given up a lot of sacks and hasn't gotten a ton of rushing yards. Running back Stevie Hicks is built solidly at 220 lbs. The Cyclones also sport a pair of big wide receivers in Todd Blythe and Jon Davis (a tandem that's combined for 112 yards per game and 6 touchdowns so far this season). Interestingly, their tight ends at 6'3� are fairly short by Division I-A standards.
Nebraska, Iowa State Must Bounce Back From Scares 13 comments
Like many Husker fans, I had a sick feeling for much of the second half of Saturday's contest against Kansas. Even if the Huskers escaped with the win, what did it mean for an upcoming road date at Iowa State? What about next year in Lawrence?
Meanwhile, Iowa State needed a late score to escape with a win over a I-AA opponent in Ames. If the Cyclones could barely get by Northern Iowa (not to mention UNLV and Toledo), how can they beat the Huskers?
“Missouri River Shootout� May Decide Big XII North 2 comments
Previewing Iowa State
The Red River Shootout takes place annually when Texas and Oklahoma face off in Dallas. Over the past seven seasons, one of the two teams has represented the South division in the Big XII championship game every year, so the game often is the biggest conference game for both teams. If there's one complaint about the contest it is that the game has taken place in early October, with most of the conference schedule still to be played. This year, the two favorites to win the Big XII North will face off in Ames on October 7 in what could be called the “Missouri River Shootout�.