ISU: Foot injury likely to keep Robinson out Saturday

AMES - Jeff Woody's body and pride were hurting last Saturday night.

“When you win and get dinged up you don't feel it,” the Iowa State running back said Monday. “You lose and get dinged, you do feel it. There were a lot of people who were sore.”

The walking wounded following Utah's 68-27 beatdown of the Cyclones includes first-team tailback Alexander Robinson, who now is dealing with an injured foot to go along with a sore ankle.

Woody and true freshman Shontrelle Johnson are next in line to play in Robinson's place this Saturday night against No. 6 Oklahoma.

Coach Paul Rhoads described Robinson as doubtful to play against the Sooners, saying the senior's activity on the field would “at best” be limited.

Robinson is wearing a walking boot to help stabilize the foot. X-rays taken Monday were negative.

“It will be a day by day progression and we'll see where he is by kickoff,” Rhoads said. “In his mind, I guarantee you he thinks he'll be playing.”

The Cyclones (3-3, 1-1 Big 12) were off Monday but returned to practice Sunday with a purpose.

“There was this anticipation to get back to work and physically put that (loss) behind us,” Woody said.

ISU has enjoyed three straight weeks of home cooking. It'll finally go on the road again Saturday, against its third top-10 opponent this season.

Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0) has been off since beating Texas on Oct. 2.

“My guess is it's going to be a lot of people, a lot of noise and a lot of energy,” Woody said of the trip to Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. “I'm excited for it.”

Against Utah, the Cyclone offense looked nothing like the group that helped put up 52 points in a win over Texas Tech.

The defense was completely gashed. Utah totaled 593 yards of offense and was dominant on special teams, too. Most of ISU's players had never absorbed a beating like that.

“That was a first,” Johnson said. “It's a hurting feeling. We played a good team, but we can't dwell on the loss.”

The size of the crowd inside Jack Trice Stadium for the start of the second half wasn't lost on Cyclone players.

A good chunk of the 43,195 fans in attendance didn't bother returning to their seats with the home team trailing 41-14 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, vehicles were spilling out of the parking lots.

“I don't blame them,” Woody said. “With the performance we put on in that second quarter, I don't blame them at all for leaving.”

Linebacker Jake Knott echoed those sentiments.

Utah scored 34 straight points during the second and third quarters and led 58-20 going into the fourth.

“We were getting blown out,” Knott said. “I wouldn't want to stay at a game like that either. I can understand it. It's not a huge deal.”

What they can't have happen is for the sting from the Utah loss to linger.

“The schedule gets harder from here on out,” Johnson said. “We've got to stay positive and strive to be better.”