GAMEDAY: ISU's Barnett will have plenty of support in first start

AMES - “Hey, Jared!”

“Pick it up!”

That's mom talking. Or, likely, shouting, from the stands.

And for Iowa State quarterback Jared Barnett - who will make his first career start at 6 tonight in the Cyclones' Big 12 game at No. 19 Texas Tech - he'll not only hear his mother's voice, but he'll also heed those words and act, run and pass accordingly.

“It's crazy, because I always tell her, with all the people in the stands that are yelling, I can always point her out,” the red-shirt freshman from Garland, Texas, said. “I can always hear her and she's always yelling at me and what I'm doing is not good enough. She's always pushing me to be better.”

Today's not a true homecoming for Barnett - as the geography of the vast Lone State State suggests. Growing up in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth-area, and coached by his dad until the 10th grade, Lubbock seemed a world away.

It's a seven-hour drive from Garland.

“It's crazy to think that it's still in Texas and it's over half the time it takes to get here,” said Barnett, who played running back in middle school and safety his freshman year of high school. “But (family) will all get there.”

Barnett knows he's got room to roam as he progresses as a quarterback, too.

He still hasn't thrown a touchdown pass and recognizes his grip on the starting job could be tenuous if he doesn't demonstrate steady improvement.

“I have to keep working,” said Barnett, who has rushed 17 times for 87 yards and is completing passes at a disappointing 43.2 percent clip. “There's guys coming in and they're obviously going to be good.”

Barnett will have to be markedly better if the Cyclones (3-4, 0-4) are to spring a stunning upset on the Red Raiders (5-2, 2-2). So will his receivers, who dropped several passes in last Saturday's 33-17 loss to Texas A&M.

“We've got to execute,” said ISU receiver Josh Lenz, who had a career-high day with eight  receptions for 117 yards. “We left a lot of plays out there that we wish we could have back.”

Instead, they turn the page - and hope for a second straight win over Tech. The Red Raiders rank 96th nationally in total defense, yielding 425.1 yards per game.

The Cyclones check in at 112th in that category (456.1 yards).

“I don't think their going to let our receivers get behind them,” Barnett said of Tech's up and down defense. “They're going to play deep and make us throw underneath and make our guys make plays in the open field. Watching more and more film, I see there's going to be a lot of room for us to run.”

That suits Barnett fine. He's adept at executing the zone-read option run, which allowed him to rush for a team-best 66 yards against the Aggies.

“He's good running and good throwing,” ISU running back James White said. “He's good at both.”

Barnett became Cyclone Coach Paul Rhoads' first quarterback commitment in the spring of 2009. He also had offers from Kansas State, Houston and Kansas.

“I really liked the atmosphere (in Ames),” Barnett said.

One of his first big post-commitment trips north hit a speed bump. Three days before attending a summer camp session, he was involved in a car accident - not his fault, he said - and spent a couple hours in the hospital.

“He sort of torqued his back a little bit but still chose to come here and compete,” Rhoads said. “He did a good job.”

The wreck, Barnett said, was caused be a freshly-licensed driver.

“I guess she was following her parents to a restaurant to celebrate,” Barnett said. ‘She had just gotten her license. She just pulled out right in front of me and I got her in the side.”

Barnett's thankful he's entrusted with the keys for ISU's offense. And mom's raised voice will help ensure he keeps steering it smoothly.

“Knowing she's at the game, and then after the game, being able to see her, that's probably the most exciting feeling I have,” Barnett said.

GAME ANALYSIS

When Texas Tech has the ball

Pressure Seth Doege. Texas Tech's protection has been OK - allowing 12 sacks per game of quarterback Seth Doege. ISU must build on last week's three-sack game and sprinkle in several hurries.

Turn third to fourth. The Cyclones rank 85th in third down conversion percentage defense. They took a step in the right direction last week, limiting Texas A&M to 5-of-16 on third downs.

Take, take, take. ISU forced six turnovers in losses at Baylor and Missouri, but failed to snare one from the Aggies. To win today, they'll need at least a couple, but Tech's only lost seven all season.

Keep kicker busy. The Red Raiders will get their yards (they average 539.3 per game - fifth nationally), so turning at least a few drives into opportunities for kicker Donnie Carona is paramount.

Bounce back. Doege completes 70 percent of his passes. Three receivers have caught at least one pass of 48 yards or more. The running game is solid. Point: Tech will score a lot. Can't hang heads.

When Iowa State has the ball

Target 200. Texas Tech's rushing defense allows 205 ground yards per game, which should open up opportunities for James White and Jared Barnett - particularly the zone read option play.

Hang on. Problems with fumbles have faded from the forefront in the hands category. Now it's dropped passes. The Cyclones had several last week that killed drives and squashed big-play hopes.

Get physical. The offensive line protected exceedingly well last week, allowing just two sacks to an A&M pass rush leading the nation with four per game. Cyclones must own the Red Raiders up front.

Wild card. Josh Lenz had a career day at wide receiver last week. Who steps up this week? Darius Reynolds needs to rebound from two subpar efforts and Aaron Horne had the biggest drop vs. A M.

Bust one. Jarvis West has been a bright spot on kickoff returns in place of the injured Shontrelle Johnson. He's 33rd in the nation, averaging 25.6 per chance. Can he take on to the house today?

The scoreboard

Iowa State could have its best scoring effort in Big 12 play and still lose by a couple touchdowns. Tech's offense is that good - and has scored at least 34 points in each game this season.

Texas Tech 44, Iowa State 30