Cyclone running game finally finds its footing with Wimberly

AUSTIN, Texas - For Aaron Wimberly, it just felt like a matter of time. Sooner or later, Iowa State's running game would produce in the way the players and coaches - and certainly fans - expected it to.

The Cyclones rushed for 202 yards as a team in their 48-45 loss to Texas on Saturday night against a stout defensive front. Iowa State finished with 524 yards of total offense, which was something Texas coach Charlie Strong saw as uncharacteristic for his defense.

'Thought we could have played better than we did, but it's always a good test when you can wake guys up,” Strong said. 'Sometimes you think you're better than what you are, and defensively we know we can improve.”

'Our run-game was effective tonight arguably for the true first time this year,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said. 'And Aaron ran the ball hard and well and hit some creases.”

Even though Iowa State hasn't been consistent on the ground this season, Wimberly proved a reliable option at running back against the Longhorns. He finished with 14 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. He had runs of 18 and 30 yards.

Wimberly said preparation hasn't changed despite the Cyclones' struggles in the rushing attack, but he felt everything finally came together against the Longhorns, with multiple position groups executing blocking schemes well.

'I saw holes and just wanted to hit it fast,” Wimberly said. 'The linebackers really couldn't adjust.”

E.J. Bibbs continues to thrive in passing game

Although he was quiet to start his senior season, ISU tight end E.J. Bibbs is certainly making his presence known now.

Bibbs led the Cyclones in catches against the Longhorns with 10, for 73 yards and two touchdowns. In his last three games, Bibbs has five touchdown catches and leads the team with six this season.

He is also the first ISU player to record 10 catches in a game since Collin Franklin in 2010. Bibbs was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team as a tight end, but Rhoads thinks he may be a step beyond that.

'He might be the best tight end in the country right now,” Rhoads said. 'I haven't seen others, so I don't know who else is out there who could compete for that title, but he's a pretty darn good player and he's showing it every week.”