Coach Paul Rhoads and his Iowa State football team have developed the reputation of scoring some big upsets in Rhoad’s tenure.
Saturday, Iowa State added to its collected with a 37-23 victory over No. 15 ranked Texas Christian (TCU) in Fort Worth. During Rhoad’s four years at the Iowa State helm, the Cyclones have defeated highly ranked Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma State. Just last season Iowa State shocked No. 2 Oklahoma State in its last regular season game and knocked the Cowboys out of the race for the national championship.
Against TCU, the Cyclones took advantage of various Horned Frog turnovers and the absence of TCU starting quarterback Casey Pachall due to a suspension.
Rhoads gave sophomore quarterback Jared Barnett his first season’s start. The native Texan responded with three touchdown passes in front of many family and friends in the stands.
Iowa State is simply a fun team to watch. Ever since Rhoads became the coach you sense the Cyclones are going to be competitive in each game. That’s the exception rather than the rule with Iowa State in its football history.
Rhoads is every much the cheerleader as well as football coach. The Iowa native was slapping players on the back, patting their helmets and hugging them Saturday.
Next opportunity for an upset is this week. No. 5 in the ESPN Coach’s Poll Kansas State comes to Ames. Can Iowa State continue its upset magic? Don’t count the Cyclones out.
Showing posts with label Jared Barnett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jared Barnett. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Quarterback Competition
If the Iowa State preseason quarterback situation in 2012 looks similar to the 2011 preseason, it’s because it is.
Back in 2011, Steele Jantz, Jerome Tiller and Jared Barnett were all battling for the starting job. When Tiller became ineligible, it became a two-man race. As the season unfolded, both Jantz and Barnett spent time in the starter’s role. There was never a clear-cut favorite. Jantz developed a foot injury after beginning the season as a starter, and then Barnett took over. His shining moment was the upset victory over No. 2 Oklahoma State. But like Jantz, he struggled with occasions of ineffectiveness and was even pulled during the bowl game.
There is still no clear-cut favorite entering 2012. It’s still a two-man race. One thing that has changed from preseason 2011 is that Tiller now lines up at wide receiver.
Both Jantz and Barnett bring different talents to the Iowa State offense. Jantz is the better passer but can also do it with his legs. Barnett is better with his legs, but a weaker passer. Overall, Jantz seems the more complete quarterback.
But it wouldn’t surprise me if Iowa State takes a two-headed quarterback system in the season. Coach Paul Rhoads might play the guy with the momentum. This also means the guy without the momentum could receive the quick replacement.
Back in 2011, Steele Jantz, Jerome Tiller and Jared Barnett were all battling for the starting job. When Tiller became ineligible, it became a two-man race. As the season unfolded, both Jantz and Barnett spent time in the starter’s role. There was never a clear-cut favorite. Jantz developed a foot injury after beginning the season as a starter, and then Barnett took over. His shining moment was the upset victory over No. 2 Oklahoma State. But like Jantz, he struggled with occasions of ineffectiveness and was even pulled during the bowl game.
There is still no clear-cut favorite entering 2012. It’s still a two-man race. One thing that has changed from preseason 2011 is that Tiller now lines up at wide receiver.
Both Jantz and Barnett bring different talents to the Iowa State offense. Jantz is the better passer but can also do it with his legs. Barnett is better with his legs, but a weaker passer. Overall, Jantz seems the more complete quarterback.
But it wouldn’t surprise me if Iowa State takes a two-headed quarterback system in the season. Coach Paul Rhoads might play the guy with the momentum. This also means the guy without the momentum could receive the quick replacement.
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