In recent football news, there are instances where the outcome of a game depends less on the actions of the winning team and more on the mistakes made by the opponent. Such was the case when TCU faced off against Iowa State last Saturday.
TCU’s performance was marred by a slew of errors, and Iowa State skillfully capitalized on them, resulting in a 27-14 victory at Jack Trice Stadium. It was evident by the end of the evening that the Cyclones were the sharper, more disciplined, and overall superior team.
The game was characterized by Iowa State’s ability to make critical plays when it counted the most. They intercepted four passes, blocked a punt, successfully converted on a fourth down, and consistently delivered in crucial moments. For a relatively young Cyclones team, their capacity to force errors and turn them into points represents a noteworthy achievement. It signifies progress for a team that hasn’t always played mistake-free football.
At the midway point of the season, Iowa State finds itself halfway towards achieving bowl eligibility, with several winnable games remaining on their schedule. This is a commendable position for the youthful Cyclones, especially considering their 1-2 start to the year and a significant loss to Oklahoma.
Now, let’s dive into some of the questions from this week’s mailbag:
1. What happened to the defense in the second quarter, and did tackling improve later in the game?
Iowa State’s defense struggled with tackling early on, although interceptions from Will McLaughlin and Beau Freyler provided some relief. Cyclones coach Matt Campbell mentioned making defensive adjustments in the second half to better counter TCU’s rushing scheme, but the poor tackling appeared more situational than strategic. Even reliable tacklers missed what should have been routine stops. Fortunately, they rectified these issues as the game progressed, suggesting that it was more of a momentary lapse than a systemic problem. Nevertheless, it’s an area to monitor for a defense that has occasionally looked vulnerable.
2. Are Iowa and Ohio better than OSU and TCU? Do the losses look worse in hindsight?
Ohio’s strong performance, following their victory over Iowa State, with convincing wins against Bowling Green and Kent State by a combined score of 80-24 suggests that they were indeed the superior team that day. However, Iowa State’s subsequent wins over Oklahoma State and TCU indicate the Cyclones’ growth and development. The earlier loss to Ohio can be attributed to a team finding its identity and a coaching staff gaining a better understanding of their players. Notably, the Cyclones appear to have bolstered their offensive line, and offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase has adjusted their offensive approach effectively.
Regarding the loss to Iowa, it’s worth noting that Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz has had the upper hand against Cyclones coach Matt Campbell, with a 1-6 record in favor of Iowa. Many of the issues evident in the Ohio game resurfaced against Iowa, which can be attributed, in part, to the team’s youth and timing.
3. Should the Jack Trice Game become an annual tradition?
The idea of establishing an annual ‘Trice Game’ is an interesting one, though there is a risk of diminishing the uniqueness of Iowa State’s recent 100-year commemoration of Jack Trice. Trice’s story holds historical significance in both Iowa State and college football, and making it an annual event could help ensure that his legacy endures.
Although Trice was largely forgotten by Iowa State for decades before his memory was revived, his story is powerful and meaningful. It serves as a reminder that important stories must be continually told. Despite having the man’s name on the stadium, there is merit in further elevating his legacy through a yearly ‘Trice Game.’ However, such an event would need to be handled with care and respect to honor his memory appropriately.