Mike Warren leads ISU over Kansas

AMES — Awareness, athleticism and confidence all went into Mike Warren's record-setting day.

However, Iowa State's red-shirt freshman running back likes to think of another attribute when he looks at the reason behind his success: patience. Warren had to pay his dues as a backup in high school and worked on the ISU scout team last year, but now he's the featured back who's riding a hot streak.

'It's going to snowball and keep snowballing,' Warren said. 'The more you play, the more it's just going to come natural from now on.'

Iowa State bullied its way to a 38-13 win against Kansas on Saturday behind Warren's 175 yards, 18 carries and two touchdowns. His 175 yards broke the 15-year-old record for most rushing yards in a single game by an ISU freshman.

Through the first four games of his college career, Warren has grown up in front of Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads' eyes and has run for 301 yards in the last two games.

'The cuts he made today and the timing of when he made them and why he was able to make them because of where his vision was, he didn't do before the Toledo game,' Rhoads said. 'That's a process of the light turning on and burning a little bit brighter.'

'(The offensive line is) making those holes for him, but he's just playing football,' quarterback Sam Richardson said. 'He's doing what he's born to do and seeing what he needs to see. He's really running well and he's come along nicely.'

Warren had three carries for 44 yards, including a 28-yard burst, on the first ISU possession, but Iowa State didn't cash in with a touchdown until Richardson took a four-yard keeper into the end zone to put the Cyclones (2-2, 1-0) ahead 10-0 in the second quarter.

Richardson was 27-for-37 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two second-half interceptions. He found nine receivers, connecting with D'Vario Montgomery and Allen Lazard for 33 and 19 yards, respectively, to set up a 9-yard touchdown reception by Lazard. Iowa State went into halftime ahead 17-0.

On Warren's first carry of the second half, he cut to the left side and flew up the right hash mark for a 62-yard touchdown run. The Lawton, Okla., native remembered seeing the nose guard and tackle slant inside, so his quick cut outside left him untouched for the length of his scamper.

'Everything's moving in slow motion and once I see it, I just go full-speed decision,' Warren said.

A leaping, 13-yard touchdown catch by Montgomery, plus Warren's 7-yard run in the fourth quarter sealed the 25-point win for Iowa State. Saturday marked the first time the Cyclones won their Big 12 opener since they beat the Jayhawks (0-4, 0-1) in 2002.

Iowa State outgained Kansas 512 yards to 288, while the JUCO transfer-laden defense notched eight tackles for loss, five sacks and surrendered six points — which came on a 47-yard reception by Tre' Paramalee from Montell Cozart.

Warren wasn't aware of any of the broken records until after the game, and was almost at a loss for words. The only way he could describe himself was 'surprised,' but nothing about what he's done in his first four games has surprised his teammates.

'He's a hard worker, man,' said linebacker Willie Harvey, who had eight tackles and two sacks. 'In practice, he runs just like that in a game. He's a hardworking dude. He wants to break records and he wants to score so that's why he's so good to me.'

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