Can Iowa State Bounce Back After a Tough Non-Conference Loss?
It wasn’t the start the Cyclones were looking for to begin the season after they dropped their week one matchup against the University of Louisiana. But for Cyclone fans is it time to wave the white flag?
No, Iowa State didn’t play great but there is plenty of season left. They lost to a Ragin’ Cajun team who went 11–3 a year ago and had a top 30 strength of schedule in all of college football. This was a solid team and bad matchup for ISU to “knock the rust off.”
This isn’t the time for the 0–1 Cyclones to hit the panic button. From an offensive point of view Brock Purdy played one of the worst games of his three year career, only completing 45.7% of his passes. He’s only thrown for under a 56% completion rate four other times in his career. Listen to me when I tell you this, he will be better.
From the defensive side of the ball Iowa State excelled by only allowing 272 total yards and only 118 rushing yards. Outside of a long 78 yard passing touchdown, the Cajuns offense was mostly put in check. When looking at this loss one can’t help but stop and look at how the Cyclones allowed two huge touchdowns on the special teams unit.
So how can this Iowa State squad bounce back? A potential first win is looming in the distance coming at the eyes of the TCU Horned Frogs. TCU is in the midst of a QB battle right now. Last year’s starter Max Duggan has returned from his stint of absence with an unforeseen problem with his lifelong heart condition and is fighting for the job against Mathew Downing. TCU head coach Gary Patterson has said that Downing has been the guy and has impressed since the loss of Duggan. Right now the starter has yet to be named.
So what is the key to success for the Cyclones? Establish the run game early to open up the field for longer pass plays later in the game. A year ago Iowa State struggled to get anything going in the traditional run game having only 91 rushing yards from a running back. If the Cyclones can get a good push down in the trenches and get the defenders moving back they will have a good shot to open the field up for third year starter Brock Purdy to work.
Another key is to be lock down in the secondary. The only chink in the armor for the ISU defense has been long pass plays. If they can do their work early at the line of scrimmage and get the WRs off their routes, the starter to be named will have a tough day ahead of them.
Iowa State has the opportunity to bounce back after a very lackluster performance in their first game by following the keys to success. Brock Purdy will be back and better and this could be the Cyclone team we have been waiting all off-season to see.
