Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A period of self-reflection can ease the mind and help one see the big picture.
With a bye week before his team’s Big 12 opener, Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said he took a step back from his squad and tried to assess their performance after four games.
“Sometimes, I think you get caught up and you can’t see the forest from the trees,” Chizik said. “We backed off and looked at it and we realized that we’re such a young football team. So many of our mistakes came from our young guys. We know we’re going to go through growing pains.”
Associated Press
Iowa State coach Gene Chizik questions a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa on Sept. 13 in Iowa City. Iowa won the game, 17-5.
Sixteen freshmen have played some minutes for the Cyclones this season. Eleven of those are true freshmen straight out of high school.
Chizik said he and his staff decided to get their young players experience now because the coaching staff has its eye toward the future. Building experience this season should mean a better foundation in the coming years.
Iowa State came out of its self-reflection period with a better idea of what led to a record of 2-2 — it’s the only North team with two losses — but little idea how best to fix it.
“We haven’t been pleased with our running game now, from our tailback position, for a couple of weeks,” Chizik said.
Sophomore Alexander Robinson led the Cyclones in rushing last year with a furious finish to the season. Thus far he and the rest of the Cyclone tailbacks have failed to create anything positive on the ground.
Robinson missed the first game because of an injury, and since then has rushed for zero touchdowns and 147 yards, which is second on the team behind back-up quarterback Phillip Bates’ 166 yards.
Sophomore Austen Arnaud has tried to counter the failing rushing game with a balanced attack from the quarterback position. Arnaud has completed 65 percent of his passes for 643 yards, rushed for 90 yards and scored eight total touchdowns.
Iowa State’s defense, like its offense and special teams, has suffered some youthful setbacks. Still, the Cyclones lead the conference with 13 forced turnovers.
The Cyclones are also tied for third in the conference in offensive turnovers. Chizik said that’s one of the most important areas to address this season if the team is going to make any strides.
As for this weekend’s game against Kansas, Chizik said all the bye weeks in the world might not help his squad. He described Todd Reesing as an escape artist and praised Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe as two of the best wide receivers in the country.
“There are no weaknesses in their football team,” Chizik said. “We’re going to have to play a perfect game to be in the game with them. That’s the bottom line.”
— — Edited by Jennifer Torline
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