Pinstripe Bowl: Iowa State switches QBs in key moment

NEW YORK - Iowa State struggled offensively throughout the first quarter, and Coach Paul Rhoads looked for a spark. So he turned to old, trusty friend Steele Jantz to help him out.

Jantz, who started ISU's first seven games at quarterback, was brought in midway through the second quarter to bail out struggling freshman Jared Barnett. The results were mixed in a 27-13 Iowa State loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Barnett completed just 2-of-7 passes and injured his knee during a sack and fumbled the football. Jantz initially gave the Cyclones a lift, but couldn't sustain any offensive success. Jantz completed 15-of-31 passes for 197 yards.

“We were not executing in a manner than I felt was going to lead us to a win, and from we've seen in December's practices, made the switch.”

Iowa State faced third and 5 from Rutgers' 23 on its first drive. Barnett threw behind wide receiver Josh Lenz on a crossing route that would have picked up a first down and possibly a touchdown.

“They blitzed and I thought I was going to be hot on that side, but I guess the RB ended up picking it up, too,” Barnett said. “I had more time than I thought I did and just threw it just a little bit behind him.

Barnett short-hopped another pass and couldn't get into a rhythm throwing the ball. When he was hurt, that gave Rhoads a chance to insert Jantz.

Jantz hadn't played for most of November and was nursing a foot injury suffered in the team's third game against Connecticut. Rhoads praised his practice habits since the team's regular-season finale against Kansas State and said Jantz was pushing Barnett in workouts.

“I wasn't ready enough, I feel like, and I didn't do a good enough job,” Jantz said. “So it's just kind of a tough situation.”

Jantz missed his share of open receivers, but also led the Cyclones on their only touchdown drive with 10 minutes left in the game. Jeff Woody ran in from 20 yards for the score.

“We could have been better in a few different aspects, but the truth of the matter is most of it came down to me, a lot of pre-snap stuff, not getting to the right plays and some poor decisions,” Jantz said. “It's a tough situation, but I'm going to get better. Now we have a long off-season so I'm very motivated.”

Both Barnett, a freshman, and the junior Jantz have eligibility remaining for next season.