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STATE
GAME DAY 13
OFFENSE
Like Southern Miss, Iowa State tends to keep
the ball on the ground to move the ball up the field. But instead of using two running backs to carry the ball, head coach Paul Rhoads likes to hand off to junior running back Alexander Robinson and let junior quarterback Austin Arnaud scramble
Robinson
whenever he sees an opening. Combined, Arnaud and Robinson have run for 165 yards per game so far this season.
DEFENSE
Senior linebacker Jesse Smith is always
around the ball. With 49 tackles, he has at least 15 more than anyone else on the roster. Senior defensive end Christopher Lyle, who forced and recovered a fumble in last year's match-up between the teams, will probably get a few good looks at Todd Reeing. The
Smith
Cyclones haven't faced any semblance of a quality passing offense yet but still give up more than 200 yards per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kickoff return unit, led by junior cornerback David Sims, has the potential to bust a big return. Sims ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash in junior college and originally committed to Bob Stoops and Oklahoma before making the move to Ames, Iowa.
On eight attempts so far this season, Sims is averaging nearly 29 yards per return. The kicking teams are both above average.
Sims
COACHING
Paul Rhoads is in his first year at the helm of the Cyclones. He was defensive coordinator for Pittsburgh from 2000 to 2007 and then was hired at Auburn to perform the same role in 2008. Rhoads utilizes the spread formation, but instead of throwing nearly every down like some Big
12 schools, Rhoads loves to call the option. To improve the defense, he hired South Florida's defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.
Rhoads
MOMENTUM
lowa State's season so far has been a roller-coaster ride. Arnaud was electric in moving the ball down the field for a potential game-tying score against Kansas State, but a blocked extra point ended Iowa State's hopes for overtime. Putting it lightly, that was a heartbreaker. Iowa State dominated Kansas in the first half last season, so some confidence will be there.
- Clark Goble
Bradley McDougald
will cheer if...
decide to run more trick plays. Kansas painful of trick plays so far with mostly s. Not only do the plays give oppo- piece to prepare for, but they are also run to watch unfold.
y will weep if...
struggles with its rhythm.While the seated well during the non-conference seate had a habit of what players described nts on the board.' Basically, Kansas well as it could have. That can't happen
Prediction: nsas 49, Iowa State 13
Offense
CYCLONES STARTING LINEUP
<table><thead><tr><th>Pos.</th><th>Name</th><th>Number</th><th>Year</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>QB</td><td>Austen Arnaud</td><td>4</td><td>Jr.</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Alexander Robinson</td><td>33</td><td>Jr.</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Marquis Hamilton</td><td>82</td><td>Sr.</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Jake Williams</td><td>83</td><td>Jr.</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Darius Darks</td><td>6</td><td>So.</td></tr><tr><td>TE</td><td>Derrick Catlett</td><td>84</td><td>Sr.</td></tr><tr><td>T</td><td>Kelechi Osemele</td><td>72</td><td>So.</td></tr><tr><td>G</td><td>Alex Alvarez</td><td>77</td><td>Jr.</td></tr><tr><td>C</td><td>Reggie Stephens</td><td>73</td><td>Sr.</td></tr><tr><td>G</td><td>Ben Lamaak</td><td>63</td><td>Jr.</td></tr><tr><td>T</td><td>Scott Haughton</td><td>51</td><td>So.</td></tr><tr><td>P</td><td>Mike Brandtner</td><td>13</td><td>Sr.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Defense
| Pos. | Name | Number | Year |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| DE | Patrick Neal | 91 | So. |
| DT | Stephen Ruempolhamer | 97 | So. |
| NT | Nate Frere | 62 | Sr. |
| DE | Christopher Lyle | 55 | Sr. |
| LB | Josh Raven | 16 | Sr. |
| LB | Jesse Smith | 54 | Sr. |
| LB | Fred Garrin | 43 | Sr. |
| CB | Kennard Banks | 7 | Sr. |
| S | Leonard Johnson | 23 | So. |
| S | David Sims | 1 | Jr. |
| CB | James Smith | 2 | Sr. |
| K | Grant Mahoney | 21 | So. |
AT A GLANCE
lowa State is an experienced team on the field, but with a new head coach and not much overall talent, it is a team that shouldn't be feared. The offensive line is very solid and has given up the fewest sacks in the country so far this season, but the Cyclones' non-conference schedule was pretty lacking other than taking on in-state rival Iowa.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Junior quarterback Austen Arnaud
If he isn't keeping
the ball and running himself, he's either faking a run or trying to find an open receiver. Arnaud likes the ball in his hands and loves to make plays happen. While you won't necessarily have to
Arnaud
redirect your eyes to watch a quarterback play. Arnaud is the most dangerous threat in the Cyclones' defense.
QUESTION MARKS
Is Iowa State ready for Kansas' passing offense?
Junior safety David Sims is a quality playmaker, but a sixth-year senior who hadn't started a collegiate game yet picked apart the Cyclone defense for more than 220 yards. If Reasing can get a few seconds from his offensive lineman to find an open man, he might have a field day.
Will Iowa State fold if they fall behind early?
Kansas showed a quick-strike ability against Southern Miss and might try to look long early Saturday. The Cyclones must realize that Kansas is a lot more talented than Kansas State. If they fall behind by double digits, Rhoads may call off the dogs and try to maintain face for the Iowa State faithful.
BY THE NUMBERS
59.3
Amaud's completion percentage on passing attempts, the highest in Iowa State history.
Return yards given up on punts for the season
Consecutive road losses before beating Kent State 34-14 on Sept. 19
42.5
iowa State's net punting range so far this season, good for fifth in the country
75
iowa State's ranking by CBSSports.com 120 football poll
7
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 9,2009