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Pelini and Chizik out for same thing
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-10-14
Iowa State football coach Gene Chizik and Nebraska coach Bo Pelini are cut from the same cloth.
Both are defensive guy. Both stress defenses and toughness win games. Both believe in the importance of a running game.
They are almost one and the same.
“That is just probably the way every defensive coordinator in the world is,†Chizik said. “Obviously he is very good. I just think that is one of those things when you are a defensive guy.â€
But not every defensive guy is in the same situation as Chizik and Pelini. Both coaches, whose teams square off in Ames Saturday (11:30 a.m., Versus), are trying to revive Big 12 North programs while overcoming similar problems.
Both Chizik and Pelini are trying to revamp struggling defenses.
The Cornhuskers (3-3, 0-2 in the Big 12) are ninth in the conference in scoring defense (27.0 points) while the Cyclones (2-4, 0-2) are 10th (28.2). Pelini is trying to improve a struggling a pass defense that ninth in the Big 12 with 254.2 yards allowed while Chizik is trying to solve ISU’s run defense problems.
ISU is 11th in the Big 12 allowing 169.7 rushing yards a game and if the Cyclones are to improve that number Saturday, they’ll have to find a way to neutralize the Nebraska offensive line.
“Their line looks like it is very physical,†Cornerback Kennard Banks said. “They will come out after you.â€
Both offenses have put up points — each team averages over 28 points a game — but in the touchdown-happy Big 12, Pelini and Chizik need to get more out of their offenses.
While Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz has been impressive putting up 1,639 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, the rushing attack is still finding its way as the Cornhuskers rack up 135.3 yards a game, eighth best in the Big 12.
The Cyclones have had issues converting third downs and running the ball. They are last in the conference in third down conversion at 32.9 percent and average 131.8 rushing yards, putting them ninth in the Big 12.
“Our running game right now you can’t pin on one guy at all,†Chizik said. “Again with us trying to create some things, (offensive coordinator Robert) McFarland is trying to create some things to get the running game going. We just have to get better at it.â€
Just like Nebraska did last week.
The Cornhuskers bounced back from a devastating 52-17 to Missouri two weeks ago to almost pull off a come from behind win over No. 7 Texas Tech Saturday. Nebraska lost 37-31 to the Red Raiders in overtime.
This week the Cyclones hope they can emulate the Cornhuskers as it comes off a 38-10 loss at Baylor. Just ISU hopes it can do something Nebraska couldn’t — win its rebound game.
“We just need to get a win,†free safety James Smith said.
In the Navy: ISU announced Tuesday that it has reached a home-and-away series with Navy, which is scheduled to begin in 2018 when the Midshipmen come to Ames. The Cyclones will travel to Annapolis, Md. in 2019.
ISU will also play a two-game series with UNLV, beginning in 2020. The Cyclones will travel to Las Vegas in 2021.
ISU also has games scheduled with Army, with the Black Knights playing at Jack Trice Stadium Sept. 26, 2009 and a home-and-away series with Air Force set to begin in 2013. Wake Forest is the only other team to host each of the academies in the next decade.
“It’s an honor for our institution to host Army, Navy and Air Force and I know that our fans will enjoy the match-ups,†ISU athletics director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. “The added bonus is our student-athletes, as well as our fans, will have the opportunity to witness the pageantry and prestige these three service academies offer during the football season.â€
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-10-14
Iowa State football coach Gene Chizik and Nebraska coach Bo Pelini are cut from the same cloth.
Both are defensive guy. Both stress defenses and toughness win games. Both believe in the importance of a running game.
They are almost one and the same.
“That is just probably the way every defensive coordinator in the world is,†Chizik said. “Obviously he is very good. I just think that is one of those things when you are a defensive guy.â€
But not every defensive guy is in the same situation as Chizik and Pelini. Both coaches, whose teams square off in Ames Saturday (11:30 a.m., Versus), are trying to revive Big 12 North programs while overcoming similar problems.
Both Chizik and Pelini are trying to revamp struggling defenses.
The Cornhuskers (3-3, 0-2 in the Big 12) are ninth in the conference in scoring defense (27.0 points) while the Cyclones (2-4, 0-2) are 10th (28.2). Pelini is trying to improve a struggling a pass defense that ninth in the Big 12 with 254.2 yards allowed while Chizik is trying to solve ISU’s run defense problems.
ISU is 11th in the Big 12 allowing 169.7 rushing yards a game and if the Cyclones are to improve that number Saturday, they’ll have to find a way to neutralize the Nebraska offensive line.
“Their line looks like it is very physical,†Cornerback Kennard Banks said. “They will come out after you.â€
Both offenses have put up points — each team averages over 28 points a game — but in the touchdown-happy Big 12, Pelini and Chizik need to get more out of their offenses.
While Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz has been impressive putting up 1,639 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, the rushing attack is still finding its way as the Cornhuskers rack up 135.3 yards a game, eighth best in the Big 12.
The Cyclones have had issues converting third downs and running the ball. They are last in the conference in third down conversion at 32.9 percent and average 131.8 rushing yards, putting them ninth in the Big 12.
“Our running game right now you can’t pin on one guy at all,†Chizik said. “Again with us trying to create some things, (offensive coordinator Robert) McFarland is trying to create some things to get the running game going. We just have to get better at it.â€
Just like Nebraska did last week.
The Cornhuskers bounced back from a devastating 52-17 to Missouri two weeks ago to almost pull off a come from behind win over No. 7 Texas Tech Saturday. Nebraska lost 37-31 to the Red Raiders in overtime.
This week the Cyclones hope they can emulate the Cornhuskers as it comes off a 38-10 loss at Baylor. Just ISU hopes it can do something Nebraska couldn’t — win its rebound game.
“We just need to get a win,†free safety James Smith said.
In the Navy: ISU announced Tuesday that it has reached a home-and-away series with Navy, which is scheduled to begin in 2018 when the Midshipmen come to Ames. The Cyclones will travel to Annapolis, Md. in 2019.
ISU will also play a two-game series with UNLV, beginning in 2020. The Cyclones will travel to Las Vegas in 2021.
ISU also has games scheduled with Army, with the Black Knights playing at Jack Trice Stadium Sept. 26, 2009 and a home-and-away series with Air Force set to begin in 2013. Wake Forest is the only other team to host each of the academies in the next decade.
“It’s an honor for our institution to host Army, Navy and Air Force and I know that our fans will enjoy the match-ups,†ISU athletics director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. “The added bonus is our student-athletes, as well as our fans, will have the opportunity to witness the pageantry and prestige these three service academies offer during the football season.â€
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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