Backs need some running room

STILLWATER, Okla. - One of the mysteries surrounding Iowa State's much-maligned rushing attack has been the ineffectiveness of senior Aaron Wimberly.

After posting Iowa State's first back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in four years last season against Tulsa and Texas, Wimberly has amassed just 423 yards in his last 11 games for 3.1 yards per carry.

'He hasn't had space,” Rhoads said. 'You can't ask a back, no matter how good he is to continue to make plays through space three-quarters of the width of that chair and be expected to run for 80 or 100 yards. You just can't ask him to do that.”

Wimberly missed two games last season with a pulled hamstring, including a 58-27 loss to the Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium. After running for 18 yards in the first quarter Saturday, the senior from Iowa Western led the Cyclones with a season-high 39 yards on 10 carries.

'Just great preparation and focusing on who is going to block who,” Wimberly said of his plan for improvement. 'And focusing on keys and stuff like that.”

INJURY UPDATES

Receiver Jarvis West left the game in the first half and was wearing a walking boot on his left foot after the game.

'Hurt his foot to the point where he couldn't push off and couldn't play,” Rhoads said. 'From the equipment that we have here, there was no fracture. We'll be fortunate to have him back next week.”

Freshman Jake Campos moved from right tackle to left in place of a dinged up Brock Dagel. The move opened the door for Jacob Gannon's return to the starting lineup. The former Iowa City West prep had not started a game since leaving the team after the season opener and returning 11 days later after being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

'Jake Campos is a natural right tackle,” Rhoads said. 'We thought Jake Campos gave us the best opportunity at left tackle and Jake Gannon at right.”

Linebacker Drake Ferch also left the game with a collar bone injury but tests did not reveal any fractures.

LOTH TAKES TO TWITTER

Iowa State reserve center Ben Loth, who suffered a career-ending MCL injury during fall practice, voiced his displeasure with the officials on Twitter during halftime after the disputed Oklahoma State touchdown that gave the Cowboys a 13-6 lead.

'Iowa State gets nailed by the refs again,” Loth tweeted. 'I think the Big 12 has the whole thing rigged I can't believe this anymore.”

After the game, Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard came to the defense of Loth and any other like-minded Cyclones.

'I don't fault them,” Pollard said. 'I don't fault them. They're frustrated. And they're frustrated with the lack of action. So we'll continue to work internally through the appropriate channels.”

BIBBS IN THE BOOKS

Senior tight end E.J. Bibbs' 6-yard reception in the first quarter gave him a catch in 17 straight games, an ISU record for a tight end. The record was held by Collin Franklin (2009-10).