Iowa State QB Joel Lanning puts transfer rumors to rest, embraces role as runner

AMES - Iowa State quarterback Joel Lanning saw his role within the offense take a hard left this season.

While the rumors of him becoming a graduate transfer circulated in recent weeks, Lanning put those to rest Monday and said he looks forward to continuing to help build the program next year.

'I'm going to accept my role,” Lanning said. 'I'm going to do whatever I can to try to change this program around. I came here for a reason. I really want to go to a bowl game and go to the postseason to see what that's like. It's an experience I haven't had and I want to do that.

'I don't graduate until the end of the spring. It's not like I would be a spring enrollee and I wouldn't get a head start at any other situation. I'd be just better off staying here anyways in my situation.”

Sophomore Jacob Park has assumed primary quarterback duties in the last four weeks, amassing 951 yards with a 63.8 percent completion rate with eight touchdowns to two interceptions. But as for how Iowa State (3-8, 2-6), which hosts West Virginia in the season finale (2:30 p.m. FS1), has used its two-quarterback system during that time, Lanning has a place within the offense.

Lanning is coming off a win over Texas Tech that saw him get 17 rushes for 171 yards and tie a school record with five rushing touchdowns. The junior has 518 rushing yards this season, 11 touchdowns and is 43 yards shy of surpassing running back Mike Warren as the leading ISU rusher this season.

'Shoot you might say Joel is our best running back or our best runner,” said Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell. 'He's a guy that's eclectic in his talents and I think sometimes we want to pigeonhole that in a negative, but the reality is it's a huge positive.

'To me, we're only starting what we can do with Joel Lanning. I think the opportunities are endless down the road.”

At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Lanning looks like a linebacker who plays the position of a run-first quarterback. But with Park's uptick in production, particularly since the bye week, the rotating quarterbacks have actually made the Cyclones harder to prepare for.

And if the decision is to continue using two quarterbacks next year, Lanning - who is a team captain - will be ready to do whatever he can.

'I played multiple sports in high school and I'm pretty athletic,” Lanning said. 'I'm sure there's other ways I could be used, but I'm sure they're going to do whatever they can to find those ways and maybe you might see something different for next year.”

COTTON-MOYA EARNS BIG 12 HONOR

Iowa State safety Kamari Cotton-Moya was named Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Week along with Kansas defensive end Dorance Armstrong. It was the first weekly award for an ISU player this season.

Cotton-Moya had a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown with a forced fumble and recovery. He helped the Cyclones defense hold Texas Tech to a season-low 10 points and 306 yards of offense and had six tackles with a tackle for loss.

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