Iowa State football notes: Cyclones move on to bowl preparations

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Iowa State fell to Kansas State, 20-19, on Saturday, with the Wildcats scoring a touchdown with no time remaining to pick up the win. The Cyclones finished the 2017 regular season 7-5 overall with a 5-4 conference record.

Iowa State now needs to find a way to move on from the heartbreaking loss and prepare for its first bowl game since 2012.

'We'll take time to get healthy – all of us need to get healthy,' quarterback Kyle Kempt said. 'Then we'll prepare for whoever we need to play. We'll find out who we play on Sunday and where we'll need to go. We have to use this extra practice, especially to get these guys ready for next year and then get ourselves ready as we get closer to the game and finish this thing out.'

Linebacker Joel Lanning isn't worried about being able to move on from the loss.

'(Dwelling on the loss) is not who we are,' Lanning said. 'This senior class, this team – we all have short memories. There's nothing we can dwell on. We'll come back to work tomorrow, watch the film, fix it and wait for the bowl and then prepare for it.'

Campbell's plan is to start recruiting. Teams are only allowed 15 practices so coaches have time to recruit.

Montgomery out fast

Iowa State running back David Montgomery started the game as Iowa State's running back, but halfway through the first drive, Sheldon Croney took over.

Montgomery injured his ankle late in the Baylor game but said he was fine to play against Kansas State on Saturday.

Montgomery rushed four times for 14 yards before being removed.

'He'll be all right,' Campbell said. 'It's nothing major or long and ready to rock and roll.'

The Cyclones tried to find a balance between Croney and Mike Warren. Croney had 13 carries for 63 yards and Warren had four carries for 17 yards.

Kempt starts at QB

Iowa State quarterback got the start after missing the previous two games due to a shoulder injury. He passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns in his return.

'I thought he was awesome – gosh dang,' Campbell said. 'For his last game, at least for the regular season, could you ask for any more? He was really special, I thought he did a great job. He's been the anchor to our success and why we've been able to have so much success. I'm really proud of him.'

Kempt said he still isn't 100 percent but he felt good out on the field. Kempt declined to disclose what his injury was.

l Comments: benv43@gmail.com