On to Ames: Jayhawks Open Big 12 Play at Iowa State
Notes Link Kansas Notes
LAWRENCE, Kan. – After an 0-3 start in non-conference play, head coach David Beaty and the Kansas football team embark on their first Big 12 contest together at Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 3, at Jack Trice Stadium. Kickoff against the Cyclones is slated for 11 a.m., and can be seen on Fox Sports Net.
SERIES HISTORY
Kansas and Iowa State will meet for the 95th time in the programs’ history. The first meeting in 1898 was won by Kansas, 11-6, in Lawrence. Most recently on Nov. 8, 2014, the Jayhawks defeated the Cyclones 34-14 in Memorial Stadium. Dating back to the first matchup played in Ames, Iowa, in 1916, Kansas holds a 22-22-4 overall record against the Cyclones in their home stadium. In more recent years, the Jayhawks have been on the losing end of three-consecutive contests played in Jack Trice Stadium in 2013 (34-0), 2011 (13-10) and 2010 (28-16).
SCOUTING THE CYCLONES OFFENSE
Iowa State is averaging 23.7 points-per-game after accumulating 60 first downs (21 by rush, 31 passing and eight penalty). Overall, ISU has amassed 1,101 yards of total offense through three games. On the ground, the Cyclones have pounded their way to 347 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State moves the ball primarily through the air, completing 66-of-107 passes for 754 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception. The Cyclones are prone to penalties after drawing 23 flags for 206 yards, balancing out to 68.7 penalty yards through the first three games. When the Cyclones are faced with a third down it is tough to get their offense off of the field evidenced by a 45 percent conversion rate – 22-of-49. The second quarter of games is when ISU does the majority of its damage posting 31 points in the second session of play on the season.
SCOUTING THE CYCLONES DEFENSE
Through three games in 2015 Iowa State’s opponents are averaging 22.7 points-per-game. They have moved the chains 54 times (27 rush, 22 pass and five penalty). Opposing teams have found success running the ball as the Cyclone defense has given up 557 yards, good for an overall mark of 4.6 yards-per-carry on 185.7 yards-per-contest. Teams have completed 46-of-87 passes for five touchdowns and two interceptions this season. ISU’s defense is allowing opponents to cash-in on third down attempts 38 percent of the time, 17-of-45. Of the 10 trips opposing teams have had inside the red area, ISU is giving up a score 80 percent of the time, while a touchdown is scored on 60 percent of tries. Iowa State’s opponents have had a steady amount of success putting points on the board throughout each period in three games.
ABOUT IOWA STATE HEAD COACH Paul Rhoads
Paul Rhoads is in his seventh season in charge of the program after taking over in 2009. Rhoads has amassed a career record of 30-48 in his seven seasons at the helm for the Cyclones. He has led ISU to three bowl games including the 2012 Autozone Liberty Bowl, 2011 New Era Pinstripe Bowl and the 2009 Insight Bowl. During his time in Ames, Rhoads has recorded three victories over ranked opponents on the road, half of the school’s all-time total of road triumphs over rated teams (six). Upon taking over, Rhoads became the first Cyclone football coach to win seven games in his initial campaign since 1907. He was the first coach in ISU history to post a winning record in his initial Cyclone season since 1931. Rhoads’ stingy defensive philosophy made him a notorious mind for calling plays from the defensive side of the ball. Prior to Iowa State, his resume includes a 2004 Big East Conference championship with the Pitt Panthers. Five of the defenses he coordinated ranked in the nation’s Top 30 for scoring and three in the NCAA’s Top 12 for fewest yards allowed. Rhoads’ last two defenses (Auburn in 2008 and Pitt in 2007) before coming to Ames ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense and fifth in total defense, respectively. The Sporting News named him the best defensive coordinator in the Big East Conference.
“MANN”-ING UP
With limited action, senior running back De’Andre Mann makes the most of his carries, especially in power-back situations. Of his 19 attempts, Mann is averaging 4.7 yards a carry. When given the ball on third or fourth down, Mann has rushed for a first down 4-out-of-4 times and holds the season’s longest rush from scrimmage at 37 yards set at Rutgers (Sept. 26). That 37-yard play ranks eighth in longest runs since 2013.
COUNT KINNER
Junior running back Ke’aun Kinner scored two touchdowns at Rutgers (Sept. 26) giving him at least one score through his first three games as a Jayhawk. The last person to reach the end zone by rush in three-consecutive games was James Sims in 2012. Sims scored on the ground in four-straight games. Kinner’s second touchdown of the game at Rutgers pushed his season total to five, which amounts to all the rushing scores by running back Corey Avery in 2014, and the most since 2013 when Sims ran for seven that season. A list of most rushing touchdowns in a season since 2006.
IT’S MILLER TIME
Freshman cornerback Tyrone Miller, Jr., has led Kansas in tackles in 2-of-3 games in 2015. The rookie has combined for 26 stops in his first three contests, leading all freshman in the Big 12 Conference with 8.7 tackles per game, which ranks third overall. The last true freshman to lead Kansas in total tackles in two or more games in a season was Huldon Tharp in 2009.
THE BEATY MODEL
Since day one, head coach David Beaty has told his players that nothing is going to be handed to them, they have to go out there and #EarnIt. Redshirt-freshman wide receiver Tyler Patrick took that to heart and earned his way to a starting role in the Jayhawk offense. After breaking camp, Patrick wasn’t discouraged when he found himself on the scout team, rather motivated to continue to work hard and earn his way up the depth chart. Through his special teams’ performance, Patrick climbed his way to making an impact for Kansas over the last two games at wide receiver.
Since his debut on offense against Memphis (Sept. 12), Patrick has played in two games and has combined for 108 yards on nine catches. The Woodlands, Texas, native’s nine catches have resulted in seven first downs for the offense and because of his performance at Rutgers (Sept. 26), he earned KU’s Offensive Player of the Week honors.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks return home to open up a two-game homestand beginning with Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 10 inside Memorial Stadium. Kickoff against the Bears is slated for 11 a.m., and can be seen on Fox Sports 1.
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