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ISU offense getting healthy for stretch run
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-11-03
The Iowa State offensive huddle will have the feel of a class reunion to it this week.
Quarterback Austen Arnaud has been sidelined for two weeks. Running back Alexander Robinson has been in and out for six weeks. Center Reggie Stephens missed last week.
For the first time in ages, the entire first-team offense is expected to be healthy enough to play for the Cyclones.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had the whole gang back together,” Arnaud said.
And it couldn’t come at a better time.
If the Cyclones (5-4, 2-3 Big 12) are to upset No. 18 Oklahoma State (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC), they’ll need the offense to outscore a Cowboys team averaging 34.1 points.
“Hopefully we can get back on track,” Stephens said. “We were starting to get back into rhythm before I got hurt.”
In the first six games, the Cyclones averaged 26.8 points and scored more than 30 points three times.
Robinson was a threat to turn each carry into a touchdown. Stephens led an offensive line that helped ISU rush for 200 yards five times. Arnaud threw for 293 yards at Kansas.
“I felt like we (were rolling),” wide receiver Marquis Hamilton said.
In the last two weeks, ISU has come to a standstill. The Cyclones have scored only two offensive touchdowns with backup quarterback Jerome Tiller replacing Arnaud.
Arnaud’s bruised hand has healed enough for him to grip a football again. Last week, he had to push the ball out of his hand with his wrist and it caused him to lose velocity on his passes.
Coach Paul Rhoads said a lack of velocity is what kept Arnaud off the field last week.
“You got to throw the ball in this league with good ball speed otherwise you aren’t going to stick balls in lanes,” Rhoads said. “There aren’t many balls that you throw where defenders aren’t close enough where they won’t have an opportunity to close and make a play.”
For Arnaud, the last injury was frustrating because the only thing it prevented him from doing was playing quarterback.
“I could still write and I could still type,” Arnaud said. “It was just weird having an injury where all I couldn’t do was throw a football.”
Stephens underwent an appendectomy last Wednesday and is expected to start at center as long as he doesn’t experience too much post-surgery pain.
Offensive tackle Brayden Burris said getting Stephens back could put the offense in position to have another big rushing day.
“Reggie is the key up front,” Burris said. He keeps everyone on the same page.”
Robinson, who is second in the Big 12 with 813 rushing yards, said last Saturday that sitting out the Nebraska game two weeks ago should allow him to play in the final three games of the season.
That’s good news for the Cyclones as they are one win shy of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2005.
“You want to be at full strength going into these last three games, especially with what we have on the line,” Hamilton said. “So it’s great that they’re coming back.
Hamilton earns Big 12 honor
Hamilton was named a Big 12 Fall Community Champion by the conference on Tuesday. To receive the honor, athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average and demonstrate involvement through community service programs.
One athlete at each Big 12 school is named a community champion in the fall, winter and spring.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929 or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-11-03
The Iowa State offensive huddle will have the feel of a class reunion to it this week.
Quarterback Austen Arnaud has been sidelined for two weeks. Running back Alexander Robinson has been in and out for six weeks. Center Reggie Stephens missed last week.
For the first time in ages, the entire first-team offense is expected to be healthy enough to play for the Cyclones.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had the whole gang back together,” Arnaud said.
And it couldn’t come at a better time.
If the Cyclones (5-4, 2-3 Big 12) are to upset No. 18 Oklahoma State (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC), they’ll need the offense to outscore a Cowboys team averaging 34.1 points.
“Hopefully we can get back on track,” Stephens said. “We were starting to get back into rhythm before I got hurt.”
In the first six games, the Cyclones averaged 26.8 points and scored more than 30 points three times.
Robinson was a threat to turn each carry into a touchdown. Stephens led an offensive line that helped ISU rush for 200 yards five times. Arnaud threw for 293 yards at Kansas.
“I felt like we (were rolling),” wide receiver Marquis Hamilton said.
In the last two weeks, ISU has come to a standstill. The Cyclones have scored only two offensive touchdowns with backup quarterback Jerome Tiller replacing Arnaud.
Arnaud’s bruised hand has healed enough for him to grip a football again. Last week, he had to push the ball out of his hand with his wrist and it caused him to lose velocity on his passes.
Coach Paul Rhoads said a lack of velocity is what kept Arnaud off the field last week.
“You got to throw the ball in this league with good ball speed otherwise you aren’t going to stick balls in lanes,” Rhoads said. “There aren’t many balls that you throw where defenders aren’t close enough where they won’t have an opportunity to close and make a play.”
For Arnaud, the last injury was frustrating because the only thing it prevented him from doing was playing quarterback.
“I could still write and I could still type,” Arnaud said. “It was just weird having an injury where all I couldn’t do was throw a football.”
Stephens underwent an appendectomy last Wednesday and is expected to start at center as long as he doesn’t experience too much post-surgery pain.
Offensive tackle Brayden Burris said getting Stephens back could put the offense in position to have another big rushing day.
“Reggie is the key up front,” Burris said. He keeps everyone on the same page.”
Robinson, who is second in the Big 12 with 813 rushing yards, said last Saturday that sitting out the Nebraska game two weeks ago should allow him to play in the final three games of the season.
That’s good news for the Cyclones as they are one win shy of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2005.
“You want to be at full strength going into these last three games, especially with what we have on the line,” Hamilton said. “So it’s great that they’re coming back.
Hamilton earns Big 12 honor
Hamilton was named a Big 12 Fall Community Champion by the conference on Tuesday. To receive the honor, athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average and demonstrate involvement through community service programs.
One athlete at each Big 12 school is named a community champion in the fall, winter and spring.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929 or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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