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It’s A Cyclone State – ISU 15 Iowa 13

By Scott Fuller on Sep 16, 2007

Iowa State – Iowa Prediction

By Scott Fuller on Sep 14, 2007

Iowa State is a team that should get better each week. If they are going to have any chance against Iowa tomorrow, let’s hope they got much better from week 2 to week 3. As much as I would like to pick Iowa State in this game, I don’ t think it will happen.

Iowa has a tremendous front seven on defense, which will make it tough for the Cyclones to run and ISU has not shown the ability to beat anyone through the air.

ISU will match up OK on defense. The Hawkeyes will move the ball well on the ground, but the Cyclones will force Jake Christensen to put the points on the board. Jake will make some bad plays, but more good ones. Tony Moeaki has another big game.

Watch for Iowa to have a big punt return and Iowa State to hit a big kick return. Culbertson will make all his kicks this week. Austin Signor will struggle at Jack Trice Stadium and miss two field goals.

Iowa State gets out in front early taking advantage of turnovers, but Iowa wears ISU down with their running game and comes out on top in the end. Tony Moeaki scores twice and Albert Young punches one in late to seal the victory.

Prediction:
Iowa 21 Iowa State 13

Passing
Meyer 18-34, 223 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Arnaud 3-6, 24 yards

Rushing
Bass 15-40
Robinson 12-52
Meyer 8-10

Receiving
Hamilton 5-70
Sumrall 6-68
Blythe 3-56
Barkema 3-21
Bass 2-18
Robinson 2-14

Interceptions
Allen Bell 1
James Smith 1, TD

Fumble Recoveries
Jesse Smith 1

Field Goals
Bret Culbertson 2-2

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Can Iowa State Win Tomorrow?

By Scott Fuller on Sep 14, 2007

The answer to this question is YES.

I know a lot of Cyclone fans and 99.99% of Hawkeye fans think that Iowa State has no chance tomorrow. I can understand why. Iowa has looked very impressive in wins over Northern Illinois and Syracuse, while Iowa State has looked, well…terrible in games against Kent State and Northern Iowa. So that means that Iowa will destroy ISU…right? Not necessarily.

So how does Iowa State beat Iowa?

1. Put the Game In Jake Christensen’s Hands

I know… Syracuse tried this and didn’t work. I still think this gives Iowa State the best chance to beat the Hawks. Last week Jake was in the comforts of Kinnick Stadium; this week he goes on the road for the first time as a starting quarterback. Iowa State should do everything they can to make him feel uncomfortable. Force him into early errors and break his confidence.

ISU needs to stop the Albert Young/Damian Sims combo and take away Jake’s favorite target Tony Moeaki. I would force the wide receivers, who have struggled catching the ball at times, to make the plays. If Iowa is going to beat you, make Christensen, Brodell, Cleveland and Sandeman do the work.

2. Eliminate Mistakes / Create Turnovers

Iowa State has to win the turnover battle and capitalize on opportunities to win the game. This means reversing the trend of the past two weeks. No more bad/dropped snaps, no more fumbled/muffed punts, no more missed field goals, no more dropped interceptions, etc. Bret Meyer has been involved in a majority of ISU’s 7 turnover this year. He is a Senior, he is from Iowa, he has been in this game three times, it is a must that he take care of the football and lead his team to a victory.

3. Aggressive Play Calling / Big Plays

Iowa State has only four plays over 20 yards this year and three are runs. The Cyclones need to take more shots down the field in the passing game. Exploit the matchups, Blythe/Hamilton/Sumrall/Moses against Godfrey/Shada/Moylan/Dalton should be in ISU’s favor. Blythe is the playmaker on the team, throw him the ball, even if he is double covered, he will make the play.

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I’ve Got Your Back Shaggy

By Scott Fuller on Sep 14, 2007

I am a little surprised how harsh fans and media have been on Bret Culbertson. I know he missed big kicks in the past and he is 0-3 on field goals this season. He also is the most accurate kicker in school history and has NEVER missed an extra point.

The coaching staff needs to know his strengths and weaknesses and put him in position to succeed. Coming into this season Culbertson was 23-27 (85%) on kicks under 40 yards and 4-9 (44%) on kicks over 40 yards. Shaggy has missed from 44, 47 and 49 yards in 2007.

The first kick had a bad hold (think Ray Finkel) and sailed wide left, the second kick bounced off the upright and the third kick was almost 50 yards.

Here is my advice for the coaches. If you are inside the 25 yard line, give Shaggy the call and he will knock it through the uprights 9 times out of 10. If you are outside the 25, find a good fourth down play for the offense to run or have Mike Brandtner pin them deep with a punt.

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Cyclone of the Week – Week 2: Marquis Hamilton

By Scott Fuller on Sep 13, 2007

The top vote getter in the Cyclone Player of the Week voting for week two was No Player Deserving. The Cyclones are 0-2 and fans are not happy.

Finishing second place was sophomore wide receiver Marquis Hamilton. Hamilton had 7 catches for 97 yards. I made the executive decsion to name Marquis Hamilton Cyclone Player of the Week for Week 2.

Final Poll Results:

Nobody Deserving 37%
WR Marquis Hamilton 27%
SS James Smith 15%
RB JJ Bass 12%
WR RJ Sumrall 7%
RB Alexander Robinson 2%

Stop back every week to www.isuisu.com to vote for the Cyclone Player of the Week.

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Iowa State Cyclones vs UNI Panthers 2007: Photo Gallery 1

By Scott Fuller on Sep 13, 2007

This photo gallery features 30 pictures of the Iowa State Cylones Vs. UNI Panthers from photographer Reese Strickland.

Photo Gallery: Cyclones vs Panthers – Reese Strickland

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Iowa State Cyclones vs UNI Panthers 2007: Photo Gallery 2

By Scott Fuller on Sep 13, 2007

This photo gallery features 30 pictures of the Iowa State Cyclones Vs. UNI Panthers from photographer Todd Meyer.

Photo Gallery: Cyclones vs Panthers – Todd Meyer

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Iowa State Cyclones vs UNI Panthers 2007: Photo Gallery 3

By Scott Fuller on Sep 13, 2007

The following photo galleries feature offense, defense, special teams, fan, cheerleaders and band, ISU team photos and UNI team photos from last Saturday’s game.