Cyclones’ West scores on the ground, through the air

AMES - It was the play call Jarvis West had been waiting for all day.

Already having a productive day with a 17-yard touchdown reception and an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown, West's number was called again. This time, though, it was to deliver a throw to the end zone.

The call was a double reverse with West rolling to the right side of the field where to look for freshman receiver Allen Lazard in the end zone. Everything unfolded as it was drawn up, sending ISU fans into a frenzy and propelling the Cyclones to a 14-13 lead.

But West admitted he was a little afraid he had overthrown Lazard, who caught the ball near the back of the end zone?

'Just for like a split-second,” West said. 'I figured he was tall enough that anywhere I threw it he would be able to get it.”

West's performance against Kansas State was exactly what Coach Paul Rhoads expected from his fifth-year senior receiver. Rhoads said he might have even expected it from him sooner, but a blown hamstring in his freshman season forced West to red-shirt his initial college season.

Struggling with soft tissue injuries at times throughout his career, West also sustained a knee injury that sidelined him for essentially the last six games a year ago. He's now making a case for himself as the go-to receiver for the Cyclones in the absence of Quenton Bundrage.

'I don't think he's had an opportunity to compete like he is right now for the full set of his career because he's had some injury issues,” Rhoads said. 'His high school tape, he was so stop-and-go quick, maybe as quick as anybody I've seen in the recruiting efforts and he's doing that right now.”

West has 11 catches for 90 yards through the first two games this season compared to the 15 receptions and 105 yards he had all of last year.

'He's a playmaker,” said quarterback Sam Richardson.

But one thing West really takes pride in is his role as a returner. He has learned to train his mind to take it one step at a time. Seeing and catching the ball comes first, followed by reading the blocks and advancing the ball. The end goal is to try to get to the end zone every time.

'I try to get a peek at them before the ball is kicked to see where they are,” West said of recognizing the coverage. 'Once the ball is in the air I try to get an extra peek at them when I know where the ball is located.”

courageous effort

l Iowa State is facing yet another player who will be lost for the season, this time of the defense.

Sophomore linebacker Levi Peters suffered a 'blown Achilles tendon” in Saturday's game and was scheduled to have surgery Monday, Rhoads said in his news conference.

Peters recorded one tackle against the Wildcats, but did something to catch Rhoads' attention that won't show up in the stat sheets.

'Not a surprise that Levi Peters, after he tore his Achilles, battled a defender 15 yards on an Achilles tendon rupture then threw him off him to help try to get involved in the play,” Rhoads said. 'That's courage and toughness.”

Senior middle linebacker Jevohn Miller called Peters injury 'a huge loss” and that all of the players on the defensive side of the ball will have to bring more energy to the game field in his absence.

'He would have been a guy that could produce for us on the field, not just special teams,” Miller said. 'He's been working in the film room, he knows the defense, but just as far as energy it's going to be a big loss and I'm going to be looking for someone to step up.”

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