Iowa State Cyclones working again Carson Hansen (26) battle for just a few yards as getting a deal with Arkansas State Red Wolves security Websley Etienne (12) through the first quarter within the week-4 NCAA soccer at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Images
Iowa State made fast work of Arkansas State on Saturday, working the Red Wolves out of Ames in a 52-7 win. Here are a few of my prime takeaways.
Aggressive playcalling
Iowa State opened up its playbook a bit towards Arkansas State, opposite to what followers at Jack Trice Stadium noticed through the season opener.
On the opening collection, dealing with 4th and inches by itself 34, the Cyclones lined up below heart and let quarterback Rocco Becht sneak his method throughout the road.
The offense ran three below-heart, quarterback sneaks within the first quarter, earlier than faking a sneak within the second quarter that noticed tight finish Ben Brahmer streaking down the center of the sphere.
“We had that in the gameplan all week,” Brahmer mentioned. “We kind of set it up with a few sneaks before that, and it was a good throw by (Rocco)… I knew it was coming at some point, so that was pretty exciting.”
It fooled the Arkansas State protection, and Brahmer saved Becht with a one-handed, diving catch up the sphere.
On prime of it, there have been numerous totally different appears to be like so far as offensive units went, and Darien Porter bought his fingers on a punt.
The particular groups unit in Ames
The particular groups unit is one thing that basically hasn’t been talked about a lot to this point this season, save for the Konrardy kick – and that must be thought-about a optimistic.
However, the group seemed stout towards Arkansas State.
Jaylin Noel was capable of return three punts for sizeable yardage, and ended the sport averaging 20 yards per return. His longest return stretched 34 yards.
There had been a pair of kicks that didn’t look nice within the fourth quarter nicely after the sport had been determined, however between Porter’s blocked punt and a stable-trying punt return it has been an enormous win for the Cyclones with that unit this season.
Plus, Kyle Konrardy was excellent on the day going 7-7 on additional factors and a subject aim.
The protection swallowed up Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor
Iowa State’s protection by no means let Jaylen Raynor get snug.
The younger unit swarmed the backfield, sacking Raynor and backup Timmy McClain 4 instances all through the sport.
“That was just preparation – being able to prepare for someone that is able to run and throw,” Malik Verdon, who picked up his first interception of the yr, mentioned. “We just had to make sure we respected what he was.”
Raynor wasn’t going anyplace, and Arkansas State by no means salvaged any of the momentum out there.
The twin-risk quarterback completed 5-16 with 68 yards and two interceptions earlier than he was changed by backup Timmy McClain.
“I wouldn’t say our best is out, but our best is to come,” Verdon mentioned of the protection. “Being able to play with the offense and defense both clicking at the same time was nice. We’ve got to be able to continue that.”
Carson Hansen makes probably the most of some additional run time
The sophomore working again had his best sport as a Cyclone Saturday, accumulating two touchdowns and 58 yards on 9 rushes.
“In that backfield, there’s a lot of guys that ran the football well today,” coach Matt Campbell mentioned. “There’s a lot of competition consistently back there and I think we’re really fortunate those guys push each other so much.”
Abu Sama completed with 30 yards whereas Jaylon Jackson rushed for 53 – it was the primary time Iowa State had scored 5 dashing touchdowns since its 66-10 win over Texas Tech in 2016.
“Carson has just been – he was really injured for the most part of last football season,” Campbell mentioned. “For him to finally be healthy, we’re really proud of him. It’s exciting to watch him move forward and I think he’ll be a key piece to our football team if we want to play at the level that we have the ability to play at.”
Connor Moberly in as QB2
For the second time this season, true freshman Connor Moberly entered the sport as Iowa State’s backup quarterback.
Moberly entered the sport on Iowa State’s second drive of the third quarter, and seemed the half in his first true performs on the place – he solely handed the ball off when he was on the sphere towards North Dakota.
“I thought it was positive,” Campbell mentioned. “Obviously you have to take care of the football and we didn’t do that as well as we needed to, but I thought he was able to handle the offense and get great experience. That’s part of playing quarterback – getting that experience. And it was great to get him in a situation where he could maneuver the team.”
The former SE Polk star was 5-7 with 49 yards via the air, and rushed for 36 yards on 4 makes an attempt through the sport.
It’s protected to say now that Moberly is the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.
“We’re fortunate,” Campbell mentioned. “We have some really good quarterbacks here. We’ve got JJ (Kohl), we’ve got ‘Mobes,’ and we’ve got a lot of young guys that are really talented. It’s a constant challenge and a constant, ‘got to come to practice,’ and earn the right to play Saturday. Connor’s certainly doing that right now.”
