There are high expectations for Iowa State and Kansas State this year. Both squads started the season in the AP top 25. ESPN predicted Kansas State to win the conference. While K-State received the edge in the polls, they didn’t realize that edge on the field today.
The Wildcats and Cyclones appeared to be evenly matched throughout the game. The Irish weather contributed to the game early as receivers and backs for both squads fumbled and dropped the football regularly. Despite the weather, the Cyclones broke the tie with ten minutes left in the game.
The Wildcats special teams was surprisingly abysmal today. First, Dylan Edwards muffs a punt he clearly should have let go. He attempted to catch the ball inside his own ten-yard line. Second, it is clear the coaching staff does not prioritize the kicking game. This is troubling given KSU’s extraordinarily windy stadium. Today, Coach Klieman didn’t trust his field goal kicker and his punter failed to flip the field when given the opportunity.
The first key point to the Wildcats loss occurred in the second quarter. It was a fourth and one on the Cyclones seven yard-line. Running back Joe Jackson’s number was called and he failed to deliver. In fact, the Wildcats ran the same play they ran on third and one. It was a shocking move by the coaching staff given Avery Johnson’s talent. Johnson should have kept the ball as he was already gashing their defense with his legs. They could have also opted to kick a field goal. They gave up a minimum of three points with that call which may or may not have been the difference in this game.
Whenever you go for a fourth and short, the game is on the line. When the game is on the line, you hope your coach thinks about players instead of plays. Avery Johnson is your best offensive weapon on the team. He should always have the ball on a fourth and short. If he fails, like Johnson appeared to late in the fourth quarter, then at least you know you gave it your best shot.
With the score tied up early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats squandered another opportunity. They just scored on a 37-yard pass play from Johnson to Jayce Brown. Three plays into the Cyclones next drive, Donavan McIntosh dropped a gift-wrapped interception. Iowa State went on to kick the go-ahead field goal. They held the lead the rest of the game. When the opportunity presents itself, players must make plays, and McIntosh failed to in a very critical moment of the game.
Finally, the Wildcats were down a mere three points with eight minutes left in the game. KSU was fourth and one on their own 30 yard line. Avery Johnson kept the ball and appeared to run for a first down, yet the referees called him short. I personally thought he made it, but the call on the field was upheld. Iowa State capitalized on the Wildcats misfortune and put themselves up ten points.
The Wildcats made plenty of critical mistakes contributing to today’s loss. However, they also showed glimpses of greatness. The defense jumped off the screen in the first half collecting several sacks and turnovers. They held the Cyclones rushing attack to a mere 23 yards in the first half. Unfortunately, the Cyclones made the right adjustments to exploit the aggressiveness of the Wildcat defensive line in the second half.
Avery Johnson has greatly improved as a pocket passer. The wet ball sailed on him a couple of times in the first half. However, he settled in and threw lasers all over the field. Unfortunately, his receivers found ways to drop on-target balls. Johnson’s biggest area of improvement is his pocket presence. He navigated the pocket well and read the field even better. 21-30 for 273 yards a touchdown and no turnovers is an outstanding day for the young signal caller.
The Wildcats are still in great shape. The season is young. They will learn from this game. Expect that Avery Johnson, Jayce Brown, Jerand Bradley and Garrett Oakley will be Big XII household names on offense. On defense look for Austin Romaine, and Cody Stufflebean to be headliners. Also look for Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor to make their names as pass rush specialists.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is impressive. He took KSU’s best shots and kept coming. He was on target most of the game, however the KSU defenders persisted in knocking his receivers around. Coach Matt Campbell and his staff adjusted well to protect their quarterback in the second half. Finally, running back Carson Hansen impressed as he kept hammering away at the stout Wildcat defense.
Overall, it appears that both the Cyclones and the Wildcats are set to have a good season. Both squads sport a healthy number of veterans. They very well may meet again in the Big XII Championship.
