Injured Knott hungry for rapid return

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott's swift, but painful journey from a broken ulna bone sustained in Thursday practice to successful Friday surgery included an all-out ban on food and drink.

“I ended up 20 hours with no food or water,” said Knott, who is expected to recuperate for eight weeks, but be fully healed in time for fall practices. “It's not something a guy my size really likes to do, so I was happy - just asking them to get the surgery over with so I could go and eat.”

Knott feasted on opposing rushers and receivers last season, recording a team-best 130 stops. He also led the Cyclones in interceptions (four), forced fumbles (four), and pass breakups (nine).

Suffice it to say, then, the junior didn't enjoy being relegated to spectator/cheerleader status for Saturday's annual spring game.

“I don't even like missing practice,” said the Waukee native. “And when you miss a game like this or something, it hurts even worse.”

Knott did find solace in watching his defensive mates record six sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and force five turnovers.

The Cyclones managed 11 sacks last season, which ranked 115th out of 120 FBS programs.

“It kind of stunk to watch it from the sidelines, but you saw some good things out there,” Knott said.

Iowa State's wide receiver Darius Reynolds (right) makes a catch as defensive back Leonard Johnson tries to knock down the ball during Saturday's spring game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

Dashing Darius

Darius Reynolds lived up to his nickname.

The senior wide receiver dubbed “Money” snared a total of five passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns Saturday.

His first catch came on the first play from scrimmage and spanned 45 yards.

“(Offensive coordinator) Tom Herman told me pretty much we wanted to see if we could stretch the field, so on that first play he gave me the chance to make a play. From then on, things kept coming back to me.”

Transfer Aaron Horne also was tabbed by Cyclone Coach Paul Rhoads as a Saturday standout.

The junior - quarterback Steele Jantz's favorite target last season at San Francisco City College - recorded a game-high eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.

“It feels good,” Horne said. “Steele's progressing, I'm progressing.”

Tuftee injury not bad

Fans winced when sophomore offensive lineman Ethan Tuftee of Davenport needed to be carted off the field in the first quarter after suffering a left ankle injury.

Rhoads said it didn't appear to be serious.

“X-Rays were negative,” Rhoads said. “Extremely pleased with that. He's in a boot. They were optimistic that if we were playing next week, that they might be able to get him ready, which gets us out of spring ball without any major injuries that will keep anybody out of August camp.”

Costly leap

Willie Scott sniffed the end zone, then launched into it.

The sophomore defensive end appeared to have scored on a 27-yard fumble return, but was flagged for excessive celebration.

And, thanks to a new rule, the ball was placed back on the 1-yard line, erasing the points.

“He made a good play, but he made a little mistake at the end,” said defensive line mate Stephen Ruempolhamer, who notched a sack and tackle for loss.

It's hard not to celebrate a touchdown, though, right?

“It is,” Ruempolhamer said. “But that's where you build your discipline.”

By Rob Gray, Correspondent