Cyclones’ Lanning ‘Ankeny tough’ in first start

AMES - AMES - Joel Lanning didn't allow himself to feel pressure as he entered his first collegiate start.

His already high level of competitiveness was enough of a motivating factor to perform to a high standard. Lanning didn't exceed Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads' expectations in the Cyclones' 24-0 win against Texas, but he was far from a disappointment.

'Some days I take my smart coaching pills and some days I take my dumb coaching pills, so some people think,” Rhoads said. 'What happened to Joel in his first start when he had the whole team the first week and all the preparation to go through against a team that brings a lot of pressure was about what we expected.”

'He took some hits on some scrambles and got up and the team knew who their leader was and who was in charge,” Rhoads added. 'That's probably exceeding expectations for a first start for a red-shirt sophomore, but in my estimation probably not. Where I come from they call it Ankeny tough.”

A shift in offensive coordinator from Mark Mangino to Todd Sturdy on Monday could have been enough to frazzle Lanning on the eve of his shot as a starter, but he didn't give it much thought. He was 19 of 37 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 13 times for 82 yards.

'I think he handled the pressure extremely well,” said receiver Allen Lazard, who had six catches for 66 yards. 'He was able to escape and make plays with his feet and his arm. I was very impressed with him. I'm not saying I'm shocked or anything because I've seen him do that stuff since high school. I'm glad he had a great night.”

Lanning's one touchdown pass came on a 19-yard flag route to Dondre Daley. Daley broke toward the back left corner of the end zone, and Lanning dropped a nearly perfect ball over Daley's shoulder in a spot only his receiver could get it.

Lanning knows he didn't play a perfect game. His mention of short-armed balls and back-foot throws correlate with his competitive nature, but he knows the offense did what it had to do to win.

'The offensive line was doing great,” Lanning said. 'They were keeping on the guys. They had a great front seven and their linebackers are good too. The o-line just got a few holes and Mike (Warren) kept skinny and made good plays. And then I made a few reads on the end, so it was good.”

Texas is known for stopping the run with big bodies up front, but Iowa State continued to find a way to gain yardage on the ground. The Cyclones (3-5, 2-3) gashed the Longhorns' (3-5, 2-3) defense for 259 yards while Warren went for 158 on 32 carries.

Warren now has 954 yards this season with a chance to become the first ISU player with 1,000 in a season next weekend in Oklahoma - his home state. The red-shirt freshman is adamant when he breaks 1,000 yards, he's taking his offensive line out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.

'I'll probably be going broke in about a week,” Warren said, 'but it's all worth it.”

Burton injured

Right guard Daniel Burton left the game on the second ISU possession with an apparent knee injury. Burton has battled MCL and patella injuries throughout the season, and ISU coach Paul Rhoads said his latest injury is 'probably not good.”

'Not season ending,” Rhoads said, 'but probably not good heading into Oklahoma.”

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