ISU learns extra point tries can't be taken for granted

Iowa State players and coaches were given a gut-wrenching reminder last weekend that extra-point tries can't be taken for granted.

Blockers can't afford to loaf in protecting the kick and defenders should never believe their efforts in trying to block it are futile. That single point is often the difference.

The Cyclones (3-2, 0-1 Big 12) know that all too well after last Saturday's 24-23 loss to Kansas State.

“That's not a down off,” said linebacker Jesse Smith. “Any time there's a play where points can be put on the board ... It can change the outcome of a game. And it did. We go after it every time.”

An incredible rally turned into a heartbreaking loss after kicker Grant Mahoney's PAT was swatting out of the air by Kansas State's Emmanuel Lamur.

Lamur, who is 6-foot-4, leaped to knock away what was Mahoney's first extra-point miss in 47 career tries. Players can be flagged for using teammates as springboards or with where they land after jumping.

The play by Lamur was not deserving of a penalty, said ISU Coach Paul Rhoads. And the kick wasn't really any lower than Mahoney's previous two successful kicks.

“I would not put blame on Grant for that,” Rhoads said. “It actually was our best protection of the day. Call it luck, call is whatever you want. It's 24-23 and we don't get the point.”

Offensive guard Ben Lamaak is in on PAT protection.

Some defenders, he said, don't go all out trying to block the kick. That doesn't mean he's thinking it's automatic.

“I always take it pretty serious,” Lamaak said. “Obviously, after (K-State's block) you can see how important it is. I'm sure we are going to work on those in practice.”

The Cyclones will work on their own block strategy, too. Defensive end Chris Lyle is their designated leaper, when that block play is called. The 6-4, 257-pound Lyle has a 35-inch vertical leap.

Kansas, ISU's 11:30 a.m. foe Saturday in Lawrence, had one kick blocked this year. Kicker Jacob Branstetter is 72 of 74 on PATs since the start of last season.

“Every week we look for weaknesses in ourselves, and our coaches look for holes in their protection and try to exploit it,” said tight end Derrick Catlett, who has the end spot on the Cyclones' PAT protection team.

Rhoads said K-State's block - which came after an ISU touchdown with 32 seconds to play - was the only time in the game they'd used that type of block. Go figure.

Add it to the list of heartbreaking endings the Cyclones have endured.

“I was getting ready for overtime,” Smith said. “Things happen. They made a good play when they needed to ... Nothing is automatic in the Big 12.”