Rhoads: Lanning will remain part of ISU offense after Toledo performance

AMES - Iowa State fans have clamored for the chance to see touted quarterback Joel Lanning get more involved in the offense.

Lanning's presence was felt in every phase of the Cyclones' offensive scheme in times when it needed him the most during Saturday's double overtime loss. Film review confirmed what Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads saw from the red-shirt sophomore during the game, and will give the team another offensive look to work with during its bye week.

'He did a really nice job. (He) came in and was poised and executed,” Rhoads said in Monday's Big 12 teleconference. 'He ran the ball hard, threw a nice ball on his completion and obviously showed great concentration on the catch that he made.”

Lanning completed his only pass attempt, for five yards, caught a critical nine-yard reception and had three carries for 14 yards in a designed package. Rhoads said the Ankeny native will remain a part of the ISU offense for the season.

'Yeah, they weren't expecting it,” Lanning said of the designed package. 'It was nice to get some holes in there and run the ball. I should have probably run it for more than what I did, but it was the first time so it's all right.”

Defense regaining health

Iowa State was down four defensive players against the Rockets, but Rhoads expects all four to be back when the Cyclones host Kansas on Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. on FSN.

Cornerback Sam E. Richardson, linebacker Brian Mills, defensive end Gabe Luna and strong safety Qujuan Floyd were all absent last Saturday. The upcoming bye week will provide a chance to clean up nagging injuries. Right guard Daniel Burton showed progress against Toledo after a knee injury kept him out of the opener and was a cog in helping the ISU running game to 207 rushing yards.

'We're going to go into the Kansas game a lot healthier than we've been the first three,” Rhoads said. 'Daniel is back and he'll be one of the guys we're smart with in this open week. But I think he played 80-something snaps or maybe even higher in the game and he's back to where he was before he hurt this knee.”

Lynn returns to defense

Red-shirt senior Ken Lynn made the move to wide receiver from defensive back in the off-season, but injuries to the ISU secondary forced him back to his old spot. Lynn warmed up with the defensive backs, and provided depth.

'When we lost Sam in pregame warm ups, we were down to three (cornerbacks) and that hurt our dime substitution package that we had,” Rhoads said, 'so we moved Ken over to solidify that and he'll remain there for the season.”

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