Iowa State without a rushing identity in loss to Iowa

AMES — Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads knew his running backs were inexperienced coming into the season. But he didn't see that as their biggest problem.

The Cyclones are going to receive most of their troubles when opposing defensive lines and linebackers initiate a push.

'It's not a running back problem as far as the running game is concerned,' You've got to give people space to run the football and we didn't do it so you'll continue to see all (of the running backs) active in the offense.'

Iowa State ran for just 63 yards on 27 carries and just five yards in the second half alone in its 31-17 loss to Iowa. The Hawkeyes (2-0) outgained the Cyclones (1-1) 475 yards to 310 and rushed for 260 yards.

Senior quarterback Sam B. Richardson was 19-for-35 passing for 247 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Iowa State, but was just 7-for-20 with the pick after halftime. Iowa held the ISU offense to 66 total yards and 31 plays in the second half.

'The pocket escaped (Richardson) because people were covered and he had to move and slide and try to find somebody that was open that allowed their pressure to get there,' Rhoads said. 'Our lack of first down and second down success put them in what they wanted to be in with third and long and sort of challenged our ability to get in the right place.'

Lack of success on first and second down is directly related to the running game, and converted running back, and walk-on, Trever Ryen led Iowa State in rushing. He had four carries for 23 yards, with his longest run coming as an 11-yarder.

Red-shirt sophomore Tyler Brown and red-shirt freshman Mike Warren combined for 12 carries and 28 yards, ensuring the ISU backfield will continue to be shuffled. Freshman Joshua Thomas got one carry and lost a yard.

Rushing yards

For a more detailed breakdown of this game, click here.

'They're going to make some explosive plays later on,' Ryen said. 'But people have seen them play and I didn't get any carries last game. But I think Tyler, (Thomas) and Mike will start banging the holes, running with everything and I think they'll get better.'

Iowa shuffled its running backs too, but created steady production, particularly in the second half. Jordan Canzeri and C.J. Beathard ran for 124 and 77 yards, respectively, while the Hawkeyes averaged 5.8 yards per carry as a team. LeShun Daniels left the game with an apparent ankle injury, but ran for 56 yards.

Beathard was 15-of-25 passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns, and ISU junior linebacker Jordan Harris felt the Cyclones started to get too complacent and felt like arm-tackling started to happen in the second half. Iowa had 232 yards of total offense and three scores after halftime.

'We had a seven-point lead, which isn't that much especially when you're playing a Big Ten football team,' Harris said. 'We just got a little comfortable and took our foot off the gas.'

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