Iowa State’s Matt Campbell on offensive line, bye week before Arkansas State
Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell on how his team approached the early bye week and what the return of two offensive linemen could mean for the Cyclones.
AMES — Iowa State football is a team on the rise.
Pulling off two wins – including the latest against Iowa in the Cy-Hawk rivalry matchup – to start the season landed Iowa State in several college football rankings.
On Saturday, the Cyclones – sitting at No. 21 in the USA LBM Coaches Poll – will play its first game this season ranked in the top 25.
There is no added pressure with that distinction.
Especially for those who know head coach Matt Campbell’s one-game-at-a-time philosophy.
“The reality of it is, the end of the season determines who you want to become,” Campbell said Tuesday. “Obviously, you want to continue to grow and get better. …It doesn’t matter where you’re ranked.
“How do you have humility, how do you learn, how do you grow and how do you work to get yourself better? At the end of the day, we want to be our best at the end of the season, and you have to work every day to get yourself there.”
Campbell’s Cyclones will face off against Arkansas State (2-1), which enters Saturday’s game off a 28-18 loss to Michigan in Week 3.
Here are some of the things Campbell said ahead of Iowa State’s matchup with the Red Wolves.
More: What stood out from Iowa State QB Rocco Becht’s comments ahead of Arkansas State game
What Matt Campbell sees in Arkansas State football
There is a lot for Iowa State to look out for from Arkansas State, at least according to Campbell.
It starts with the Red Wolves’ quarterbacks, Jaylen Raynor and Timmy McClain. Raynor’s thrown for 712 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He boasts the second-most rushing yards on the team (122) and added two touchdowns on the ground.
In one game played, McClain threw for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
“You’re gonna get tempo,” Campbell said of Arkansas State’s offense. “Potentially two really talented quarterbacks that can both throw the football.”
Arkansas State’s receivers should be the focus of Iowa State’s defense, with three players – Corey Rucker, Courtney Jackson and Reagan Ealy – collecting over 100 yards each through three games. Rucker caught two touchdown passes so far, and two different players – Adam Jones and Reginald Harden Jr. – have each pulled in at least one touchdown.
“Collectively, across the board, guys that are making big plays,” Campbell said of the receiver room.
Campbell noted athleticism on the offensive line and the Red Wolves’ talent across all three levels of the defense, from the defensive line creating havoc and sacks to a veteran linebacker crew.
His praise even extended to special teams, where he cited the Red Wolves’ elite returners in Jackson – who returned one punt for a touchdown this season – and Ja’Quez Cross – who averages 19.38 yards per kick return.
“Certainly a different challenge than we’ve been so far this season,” Campbell said. “They’re gonna play in space, they’re gonna play with athleticism. They’re impressive.”
Could Jalen Travis and Deylin Hasert play in Saturday’s game?
Campbell previously said that two offensive linemen – Jalen Travis and Deylin Hasert – practiced ahead of the game against Iowa. Now he is looking ahead to how they could impact the line moving forward.
Without both players on the line so far in 2024, Campbell noted that it’s still been competitive, with other players stepping up to fill those voids. Travis and Hasert dealt with injuries entering the season, and neither played in the first two games.
“Both will be available (on Saturday),” Campbell said. “It certainly looks like we’re trending that way right now. Both those guys got reps the last two weeks, both are on a really good progression. I don’t know I would say they’re at full strength, but they’re really close to it.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
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Publish date : 2024-09-17 07:29:00
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