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New night, same problems on the road
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-09-20
For Iowa State football coach Gene Chizik, it was the same story on a different night.
Like when the Cyclones fell 17-5 to Iowa last week, he thought the inconsistent play of a young team did ISU in Saturday as it fell 34-31 to UNLV in overtime.
“It was a great example of a young team that has a hard time focusing on the road,†Chizik said. “We still can’t win on the road. We had an opportunity to do it tonight and we didn’t get it done.â€
After trailing 21-0 at the half, ISU surged back in the final two quarters, tying the game at 28 with three seconds left when quarterback Austen Arnaud hit wide receiver R.J. Sumrall on a 28-yard touchdown pass.
On the Cyclones' first play of overtime Arnaud tried to hit a receiver Darius Darks on a fade route. The pass was incomplete. ISU settled for a 37-yard Grant Mahoney field goal.
On the Rebels first overtime play, quarterback Omar Clayton connected with receiver Phillip Payne on a fade route for a 25-yard touchdown to win the game.
“They made a great play at the end,†Chizik said. “They did a great job all night.â€
Paying for penalties: Iowa State had five personal penalties in the game. Cornerback Leonard Johnson had two on the same drive. On his second penalty, he hit Clayton after the UNLV quarterback scored a 20-yard first quarter touchdown.
Chizik said the Cyclones will use the bye week to eradicate the personal foul problem.
“I am very, very disturbed by that,†he said. “That is not the personality of our team. It happened with a lot of young guys that hadn’t played before. They don’t understand the push and shove and who gets caught last. They will understand that by next Monday. Our full team will understand that by next Monday.â€
And Sumrall knows exactly how Chizik will accomplish it.
“Punishment,†Chizik said. “That’s how you stop it. I don’t know (what it will be), but we are about to find out.â€
Bibbs injury: Chizik did not have an update on linebacker Michael Bibbs after the game. Bibbs was helped off the field in the first quarter. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he walked to the sidelines. He did not return the game.
Bibbs did walk out of the locker room after the game with crutches and continued to keep his weight off his right leg. Also, cornerback Devin McDowell didn’t play in his third consecutive game. Johnson started in his place.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-09-20
For Iowa State football coach Gene Chizik, it was the same story on a different night.
Like when the Cyclones fell 17-5 to Iowa last week, he thought the inconsistent play of a young team did ISU in Saturday as it fell 34-31 to UNLV in overtime.
“It was a great example of a young team that has a hard time focusing on the road,†Chizik said. “We still can’t win on the road. We had an opportunity to do it tonight and we didn’t get it done.â€
After trailing 21-0 at the half, ISU surged back in the final two quarters, tying the game at 28 with three seconds left when quarterback Austen Arnaud hit wide receiver R.J. Sumrall on a 28-yard touchdown pass.
On the Cyclones' first play of overtime Arnaud tried to hit a receiver Darius Darks on a fade route. The pass was incomplete. ISU settled for a 37-yard Grant Mahoney field goal.
On the Rebels first overtime play, quarterback Omar Clayton connected with receiver Phillip Payne on a fade route for a 25-yard touchdown to win the game.
“They made a great play at the end,†Chizik said. “They did a great job all night.â€
Paying for penalties: Iowa State had five personal penalties in the game. Cornerback Leonard Johnson had two on the same drive. On his second penalty, he hit Clayton after the UNLV quarterback scored a 20-yard first quarter touchdown.
Chizik said the Cyclones will use the bye week to eradicate the personal foul problem.
“I am very, very disturbed by that,†he said. “That is not the personality of our team. It happened with a lot of young guys that hadn’t played before. They don’t understand the push and shove and who gets caught last. They will understand that by next Monday. Our full team will understand that by next Monday.â€
And Sumrall knows exactly how Chizik will accomplish it.
“Punishment,†Chizik said. “That’s how you stop it. I don’t know (what it will be), but we are about to find out.â€
Bibbs injury: Chizik did not have an update on linebacker Michael Bibbs after the game. Bibbs was helped off the field in the first quarter. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he walked to the sidelines. He did not return the game.
Bibbs did walk out of the locker room after the game with crutches and continued to keep his weight off his right leg. Also, cornerback Devin McDowell didn’t play in his third consecutive game. Johnson started in his place.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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