Richardson facing high expectations to lead ISU offense

AMES - If mistakes and miscues have the ability to make a player more confident, consider Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson well entrenched in that school of thought.

Whether it was a long throw, skipping-off-the-ground pass or decision to hold the ball longer than he should against Northern Iowa, the fifth-year senior knew as he trotted off the field how to correct his blunders.

Through his mistakes, Richardson showed signs of becoming the offensive leader Iowa State has lacked the last two seasons. Heading into Saturday's Cy-Hawk game 1-0 doesn't hurt his confidence either.

'It's a lot easier when you win that first game and you're looking toward those kinds of improvements,” Richardson said following ISU's win against the Panthers. 'Coming out this week versus Iowa, you'll see a more polished offense and one that's ready to roll.”

Saying there were plays the ISU offense left on the field isn't an attempt to downplay the production. Richardson was 21-of-29 passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns - including 6-for-6 for 96 yards and two scores in the third quarter alone.

Coach Paul Rhoads assessed Richardson's play with tough love. He highlighted missed throws along the sidelines and the need for a better run fake, but the criticisms are coming directly from the high expectations placed on Richardson.

The Winter Park, Fla. native is the Cyclones' most experienced quarterback with 22 starts under his belt since Austen Arnaud in 2010. Statistically, Richardson will go down as one of the best signal callers in ISU history and ranks in the top five in total offense, touchdown passes, and completions.

Rhoads even suggested Richardson could be a top-three quarterback in the pass-happy Big 12 this season. But getting to that point takes a steady climb.

'Now 72-percent pass completion, that's pretty good. Was it good enough for everything that happened in that night? I don't think so,” Rhoads said. 'I think he could have played better, should have played better and I think he'd be the first to recognize and tell you that. But he's also the first in there on Sunday figuring that out so he can play better the next game.”

Another full year under offensive coordinator Mark Mangino's direction is paying dividends, too. Richardson and the receivers were tested against the UNI secondary and will surely face another challenge with Iowa cornerbacks Greg Mabin and Desmond King.

Richardson has taken the steps in recognizing which calls to make, is growing into a more consistent passer and becoming a more vocal leader. Now he's trying to turn that into a winning-streak, which is something Iowa State hasn't had since the final two weeks of 2013.

'I think just starting the new season is definitely just getting back into the swing of things and maybe starting a little slow there,” Richardson said, 'but I don't see that happening much more.”

CAMPOS READY FOR OTT

Iowa State left tackle Jake Campos is a self-described perfectionist. The red-shirt sophomore was thrown into the mix due to injuries along the line last year, and immediately put to the test against the likes of Kansas State's Ryan Mueller, now an NFL defensive end.

Learning proper technique became Campos' lifeline last year and during the offseason. During fall camp, that perfectionist mentality resurfaced, but Campos knows how to harness it into working for him and not against him.

'I was pretty hard on myself,” Campos said. 'But I get right out of it and feel a lot better.”

Campos studied his latest assignment, Iowa defensive end Drew Ott, while watching the Hawkeyes against Illinois State last Saturday. The 6-foot-8, 297-pound tackle knows it will be imperative to stay low to counter speed against Ott, who had two sacks and a forced fumble last week.

'He was getting off the ball fast,” Campos said. 'He's going to be a really good player this year and it'll be a fun challenge to get out there and go against him.”

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