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– I think… Iowa State needs to have a more smashmouth approach to the running game. I would love to see Iowa State line up in I-formation with Ryan Kock at FB and Jason Scales at RB and pound the ball. The best running play that the Cyclones had against Oklahoma was the 4th and 1 that Jason Scales picked up 3 yards on. The offensive line blew the Sooners defensive line off the ball, Ryan Kock got a good block and Scales shot through the hole. Ryan Kock shows the sense of urgency on every play that I would like to see from the rest of the offense.

The QB draws and RB delays out of shotgun formation requires our offensive lineman to hold their blocks for 2-3 seconds for the play to work. There were 5 running plays that resulted in negative yardage last Saturday. This leaves 2nd and long and 3rd and long and makes it much easier on the opponents to defend.

I think…that it is imperative that Iowa State sign at least 3 juco offensive lineman in this recruiting class. The Cyclones will only return two players on the offensive line (OG Tom Schmeling and OG Reggie Stephens) that have played significant minutes this season. The fact that nobody else is ready to play has me worried. Does this starting lineup excite you?

OT – John Tjaden, OG-Reggie Stephens, C-Bastian Schober, OG-Tom Schmeling, OT- Lee Tibbs

I think…Josh Johnson needs to get on the field if he is now ineligible for a redshirt. It would be a shame if he lost an entire year of eligibility for one carry in the second game of the year.

I think…that Deandre Jackson was one of the best cornerbacks in Iowa State history. It is truly a shame that Deandre Jackson tore his ACL this past weekend. I can’t believe his career as a Cyclone is over, his four years at Iowa State really flew by. Best wishes to Deandre on a speedy recovery and a long career in the NFL.

I think…my favorite moment of the Oklahoma game was Milan Moses first reception of the year in the fourth quarter. Milan has battled all the way back from Crohns disease and is back to 100%.


I think…Brent “Big Play” Curvey has been an absolute warrior these last two weeks. The improvement of Ahtyba Rubin has freed up Curveball to be the playmaker he was in previous years. He is really going to be missed next season.

I think…Alvin Bowen and Tyrone McKenzie are the two most talented linebackers that I have seen at Iowa State. It seems like they are in on every tackle. Jon Banks has also impressed me at SAM. The team will be stacked at linebacker next season. Fred Garrin will have had a year in the system and Carper and Raven will be back from ACL injuries.

I think…there is a good chance that Kris Means will be the starting fullback for the Cyclones next season. With the linebacker position in good hands, it would make sense to move Means to fullback next season. Kris was a standout fullback in high school rushing for over 1,200 yards in his junior and senior seasons.

I think…it will be an exciting day when James Smith and Jason Harris are the starting safeties. Who knows it might even be this week.

I think…Texas will beat Nebraska by at least two touchdowns. Nebraska is a much improved team, but the Longhorns have a different level of talent then any team in the Big 12 North.

I don’t think…a guy that is fresh out of a half-way house for cocaine trafficking should be a celebrity. If you are going to have Nelson Peterson as a guest commentator at least explain to the public why this is the first time he has seen his son play since 1998. He had spent about eight years in federal prison for money laundering.

I don’t think…that Adrian Peterson should have been in the game with Oklahoma leading 27-9 with 7 minutes remaining in the game. Instead of boosting his Heisman chances, it eliminated him from the competition. It is a shame too, he was one of the best college running backs I have ever seen.

I don’t think…it should come as a huge surprise that Iowa lost to Indiana. Iowa is not a top 25 team. I am still trying to figure out how Iowa ends up in the top 25 each preseason. The Hawks were a 7-5 team last season. They lost six of their best players from a year ago Abdul Hodge, Chad Greenway, Antwan Allen, Jovon Johnson, Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon, but somehow Mark May thinks they are going to be the national champions. What am I missing?

– First Scott and I would like to thank GDMCC for another great luncheon. The food was great, so was Mac and best of all I won one of the raffle prizes…so thank you! Also, thanks for mentioning the site to everyone and we look forward to a growing relationship with your club going forward.

Now to the nitty, gritty on the ‘Clones!

After sitting in his car for about 10 minutes finishing up some things with ABC (and trying to explain to Dan Fouts why Ames, Iowa is God’s Country), Mac walked in, thanked everyone for coming and proceeded to tell a dog joke. He then read a life lesson story he had written in his notes. The gist of the story was ‘to not go through life so fast that someone needs to hit you with a brick for you to realize what is really important’.

It was very uplifting and he said he gave a copy to Adam Carper. In case some of you haven’t heard, Adam tore his ACL in practice this week and will be out for the year. Jon Banks, who was just replaced in the starting lineup by Steve Johnson, will now take Carper’s spot.

Carper and Josh Griebahn each lost a grandparent this week, so our prayers go out to them. Griebahn got another shot of bad news when he was demoted to second string kick-off guy after last week’s not-so-stellar performance against UNI. Shaggy has assumed those duties, although JG is listed as #1 on the depth chart and Mac said they would re-assess before kick-off tomorrow.

I mentioned earlier that Dan had been talking with Dan Fouts. It’s Fouts’ first visit to Iowa so if you see him, make him feel at home.

There will be 8 official visits this weekend (5 from CA, 2 from MS and 1 from TX). There are also 40-50 unofficial visits.

Mac said this was the most physical week (Tuesday, Wednesday) of practice so far this year and in quite a long time. Said there is a great attitude with the team and they’re focused and ready to take care of their business this weekend. Mac asked us if we wanted to be part of history on Saturday night…said that’s what he’s been asking his players all week as well.

1896 – last time Iowa State beat Nebraska three times in a row at home.

32 players individually sat down with Mac this week. Mac said he wanted to get a feel from each player on what were some of the things that may be contributing to the sub-par performances this year. In case any of you are wondering, Mac isn’t close to being satisfied with how this team is playing and is continually challenging them to get better both physically and mentally. Some stories I read would make you think different.

That being said there wasn’t anything he could put his finger on with the team and thought everything seemed to be in order with team dynamics and the whole team atmosphere. Lack of concentration and the ability to play consistant are the things this team has been lacking thus far and hopefully they will show marked improvement in that category on Saturday.

The defense needs to get pressure on Zac Taylor and collapse the pocket. Mac didn’t expound on how they planned to do that, but said it was very important to their success against Nebraska.

Also said not to expect a 16-10 game. He predicted a high scoring, edge of your seat, barn burner.

Said the teams match up well and it’s going to come down to who wants it more, who’s tougher, who can oppose their will on the other…need the great players to play great, the good players to play better than good and the average players play better than average to get a W.

James Smith had surgery on his ankle to replace the existing screw. He won’t play against the ‘Huskers and he hopes to be back on the field in 1-2 weeks.

Stevie Johnson will get his first start as a Cyclone. He’s a good, physical tackler and Mac said he’s been in Stevie’s ear all week about how this could be the game that eventually gives him the title – 4 year career starter.

Sage Rosenfels of the Houston Texans, has a bye on Sunday, so he’ll be back in Ames for the big game on Saturday night. He’ll be introduced at halftime, so stick around to see that and give him a big welcome back to Ames. Mac will also have Sage talk with the players, as he has done with so many other returning illumni.

When asked about the players from last year’s recruiting class who are standing out, Mac mentioned Bailey Johnson, Alexander Robinson, Devin McDowell and Austen Arnaud.

Mac said a questionnaire was sent around to teams to get their feelings on the new clock rules. Without going into detail, Mac said the new system probably wouldn’t win a popularity contest right now.

Well, that’s it for now.

BFuller

P.S. If you’ve never attended a Greater Des Moines Cyclone Club luncheon, I encourage you to do so. The notes I put here don’t compare to seeing and hearing it straight from the Coaches mouth. See details about upcoming Cyclones events at their website – Greater Des Moines Cyclone Club.

Note: Sage photo courtesy of Houston Texans Sage Rosenfels profile.