No. 14 Iowa State will ‘probably’ turn to backup kicker Saturday against Arizona

AMES — Iowa State expects all but one of its injured players to be back for Saturday’s Big 12 home opener against Arizona.

Who’s the lone exception? Record-setting walk-on kicker Kyle Konrardy, who “probably” remains out with what Cyclone head coach Matt Campbell called a leg injury.

“I think the one positive for us with Kyle is it’s not going to be a long-term situation,” Campbell said of Konrardy, who beat Iowa with a 54-yard field goal in the closing moments for the second straight season.

But what does Konrardy’s short-term absence mean for 14th-ranked ISU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12), who will face the Wildcats (3-0) as a league foe for the first time at 6 p.m. Saturday?

“I don’t know how much that changes who we are or what we’re about,” said Campbell, who will turn to walk-on freshman kicker Chase Smith since Konrardy’s backup, Jace Gilbert, also is injured. “I think, again, there’s a lot of confidence (we have) in what Chase can do. So I think a lot of that is probably more ebb and flow of the game a little bit than it is maybe so much of what those guys can do.

“I think the great thing is Chase has shown to be very consistent when he’s been in and he’s been able to do a really great job for us so far.”

The Cyclones likely will need Smith and others to perform at a high level in what’s likely to be another closely contested game. ISU opened as a one-touchdown favorite and all three of its wins against FBS foes this season have come by eight or fewer points.

Arizona’s coming off a one-score win of its own — 23-17 two weeks ago against Kansas State at home — so tension should set the tempo for a four-quarter matchup that could hinge on a play or two down the stretch.

“They’re gonna come in with a chip on their shoulder, too, so we’ve got to come out and fight,” transfer cornerback Tre Bell said.

Bell’s one of the Cyclones’ non-headliners who’s managed to produce some marquee moments this season. He’s an emerging special teams star — and in the 24-16 win at Arkansas State, he snared a late interception that helped seal the outcome.

ISU is 4-0 (or better) in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history largely because so-called bit players such as Bell have met the moment in clutch situations. The Wildcats have discovered players who fulfill similar roles early this season, as well — and that helps explain how they’ve rebounded from a disappointing 4-8 first season in the Big 12.

Both teams are coming off a bye week, so should be relatively fresh mentally and physically.

“This will be another great test,” Campbell said. “I know I’ve said this, 70 percent of Power (Four) lose coming out of the bye. And I think it’s a real challenge because it’s a mental toughness to continue to pound away at your habits and stay in that great routine that it takes to have a great Tuesday, a great Wednesday, a great Thursday, to go play the game on Saturday.”

That remains true with or without Konrardy. Without his proven strong leg, ISU’s offense may need to adopt a different approach when approaching its usual field goal range. The key to success is adaptability — an area the Cyclones already have shined with tight end Gabe Burkle and linebackers Carson Willich and John Klosterman missing time this season.

So bring on the “whiteout” conditions ISU’s fans are urged to create via their Saturday night wardrobe selections. Bring on another hungry foe determined to knock the Cyclones down a peg or two.

Another sellout crowd is expected at Jack Trice Stadium and the forecast, as always, calls for plenty of anxious moments until the final horn blasts — no matter who’s healthy, hobbled, or somewhere in between.

“I look forward to it every week,” said ISU senior tight end Tyler Moore, who’s battled more injuries than he can count. “A lot of injuries. That’s what keeps me going is these fans and these guys in this building.”

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