Campbell: Mitchell Harger 'the difference' in Iowa State's win over Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Fifth-year senior walk-ons don't often get recognized as the difference in a Division I football game.

But that's exactly how Iowa State coach Matt Campbell described running back Mitchell Harger.

Harger's eight carries for 58 yards, all on one drive, culminated in a late-third-quarter touchdown — the first of his career. That score ultimately proved to be the decisive margin in Iowa State's 31-24 win at Kansas on Saturday.

'Pretty special kid. Football is really important to him and for that young man to score, I think it's the first touchdown of his career, he was the difference today, to be honest,' Campbell said. 'I think if you felt our sideline or you're around our sideline, when he scored and our kids know that and our coaches know that, it was electric.'

Mitchell Harger talks to the media after the KU win. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/pm3dBcqacy

— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB)

The Cyclones (2-8, 1-6) utilized freshman David Montgomery heavily, helping him finish with 24 carries and 169 yards. After a 14-yard pickup on the first play of a late third-quarter drive, Montgomery, who took a shot to his quad, had to be sidelined for a moment.

Sophomore Mike Warren had three carries for 17 yards, but was hampered by a nagging ankle sprain and didn't play in the second half. With only freshman Kene Nwangwu and Harger to turn to, the coaches gave the Alburnett native a look.

'I've been in his back pocket for the past however many years,' Harger said. 'I was standing right there, (running backs coach Lou Ayeni) saw me, he told me to go in and I didn't think twice about it.'

Harger's first carry was a 16-yard gain, and after quarterback Jacob Park found Dondre Daley for a 13-yard completion, Iowa State went back to Harger for seven plays in a row. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder hit a crease and busted through the goal line, starting a streak of 15 unanswered points.

Just as quickly as Harger hit the lanes on the field, he quickly found his teary-eyed parents waiting for him in the stands.

.@Mitch_slapped celebrates with his family after a win, 58 rushing yards and a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/6CAMzw1Z36

— Dylan Montz (@dylanmontz)

'You can never fully be ready for it but I pictured myself in that situation a million times over the past five years,' Harger said. 'So, to say it was a surprise, yeah (it was). But I've been ready for it and I've been waiting for it.'

Park, Cotton-Moya and Lazard held out of starting lineup

Quarterback Jacob Park, wide receiver Allen Lazard and safety Kamari Cotton-Moya did not start Saturday's game at Kansas after violating 'a minor team rule,' ISU coach Matt Campbell said.

All three eventually entered the game. Park tallied this third consecutive game with multiple touchdown passes, Lazard caught a career-high 10 passes for his fourth 100-yard receiving game this season and Cotton-Moya had four tackles and a pass breakup.

'I love those guys and believe in those guys and if it was something major we would have made a big deal out of it,' Campbell said. 'It wasn't and the reality of it is they did what they needed to do and when it was their time to get into the football game and played at their ability.'

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