Iowa State receivers have mediocre passing game

The Iowa State receivers many believed would be most sought in the passing game this season - Sedrick Johnson, Darius Darks, Collin Franklin and Houston Jones - have a whopping nine catches among them.

“I would have never thought that,” said offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

There have been reasons for the meager production from those players who combined for 114 receptions, 1,307 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Johnson injured an ankle trying to catch a pass early in a season-opening game against North Dakota State. He's played in every game but caught just two passes for 8 yards, both against Kent State.

A pulled hamstring forced Darks to miss much of preseason camp, and he's been trying to make up for lost time. The team's second-leading receiver as a freshman in 2008 with 49 grabs, he has two catches for 13 yards.

Franklin got hold of a virus last month and lost 20 to 30 pounds off his 254-pound frame. He's finally back to eating solid foods and gaining his strength. “When you lose a lot of weight it's hard,” said Franklin, who has five catches for 41 yards.

Jones was ready to come back last week from an ankle injury but hurt the same ankle in a different way during practice. He's yet to play this year and won't be available Saturday at Kansas. Jones had 32 receptions for 384 yards during a breakout junior season in '08.

Teammates say it's only a matter of time before they break out.

In the meantime, coaches have to put an offense on the field that can score points and can't simply stand still while their expected stars get themselves right.

Players like Jake Williams (14 rec, 162 yds, 2 TDs) and Marquis Hamilton (18 rec, 313 yds, 2 TDs) have instead become the go-to guys.

“You have to kind of roll with the punches,” said tight end Derrick Catlett, who has caught seven balls for 112 yards and a score. “Somebody gets sick, somebody goes down, another one jumps up.”