2005 Statistics

Quarterback
One of last years biggest surprise, though with hindsight we now realize he was just fulfilling his destiny, was Bret Meyer. Now a junior, Meyer took off as the dual threat he is to quietly rank 29th in passing efficiency. At 6’4 (he grew an inch since coming in), he runs a 4.5-40, so the Atlantic-native towers over onrushing defenders to deliver, or he just decides to and then runs by them (averages about 10 carries a game over last two seasons). His decision making was what has taken him to this next level. “He was just so much better as a sophomore than he was as a freshman,” beams head coach Dan McCarney, “I know that he can get even better and I believe that he will because of his pride, work ethic and accountability as a leader.” Houston Jones and this year’s No.5 dual-threat QB Austen Arnaud are the closest thing ISU has to quality backups, though a few other fleet-footed hurlers dot the roster. Any of them would constitute a huge step back for the potential of the offense. But since no other QB saw any action last year, the backup QB situation needs attention and is wide open until further notice. The Cyclones have nothing developed past Meyer if he goes down to injury. As long as he is healthy, the sky is the limit for State.

Running Back
Injuries really hampered the developments here in ’05, but a healthy spring will lead to much better production, especially with Meyer as a distraction. Stevie Hicks will both bowl defenders over and run right by them with his deceptive speed. He has had the mantle since his first eligible game (red shirted), and there is no reason to think he can not be all-Big XII again (2004 Honorable Mention). Junior Greg Coleman has the same type of power and speed but has not realized his huge upside yet. The task will become more difficult now that he has been suspended from the team for violating team rules. Somewhat shorter but just as tough, Jason Scales was out all of 2005, but this Dean’s-List-er is expected to have impact here, too, and be a leader (2000+ as a prep senior). Then there is the real meat of the group, Ryan Kock. This true FB lost no yards on his 54 tries, and scored 13 TDs as McCarney will continue to bank on him again in goal-line spots. This unit should soar above the 2.7 yards it tallied per carry and rank much higher than 96th, getting the offense back to playing “traditional” Cyclone ball.

Receiver
Seniors Austin Flynn and Jon Davis will lead a veteran group that is deep as well as full of role players. Ex-QB Flynn seems to be the underneath guy who gets the most action with his 4.6 speed. Since he has played behind center as a Cyclone, foes shouldn’t rule that out as his role in any trick(y) plays. Davis, at 6’4” the team’s biggest target, also is used on shorter routes, but has the potential to stretch the field if given the chance. Todd Blythe sees the rock come his way nearly as much as Flynn, but coaches like for him to be sent deep and win “jump balls” for maximum yardage (19.6 per catch). This all-American (Honorable Mention, NC.net) is their best receiver and is also the leader he needs to be to make this entire unit better. R.J. Sumrall brings the most athleticism. He is going to see many more balls come his way, and the Winter Park, FL-native will get YAC all day (39.97 300m hurdles and 22ft. long jump in prep) until stopped. Ryan Baum is another senior leader who will see more time, but the depth chart still needs more second- and third-teamers to prove that injuries will not decimate this top-heavy three-WR corps. With Meyer making sure the ball is distributed rather evenly, this group can only get better.

Tight End
State is proficient at sending their TEs down field for optimal effects. Junior Ben Barkema and senior (HB) JUCO-transfer Walter Nickel both make safeties nervous with such great hands and speed, but, according to McCarney, both have to become the blockers needed so the running game can excel. “They need to continue to get bigger and stronger and to get more weight on them. I don't care about being pretty out there. This is about getting stronger and more physical and more dominant as blocker.”

Offensive Line
The biggest dividend of last year’s learning curve will be paid off via (at least) four seniors back to start up front. This is why many have ISU ranked in their top 25’s, but also why they aren’t garnering placement(s) much higher than around 20th. This unit gave up 39 sacks and only forged their paltry (2.7) average per rush. Still, the talent exists in those returning starters to live up to their collective potentials and make this a formidable crew of Cyclone power. RG Seth Zehr, a Big XII all-academic, has the pedigree to lead a resurgence and seems to be the quickest of this beefy bunch. Center Scott Stephenson is another smarty who needs to learn from mistakes and his time at Minnesota. Twins Paul and Scott Fisher also have to take lessons from past tenures (both were in JUCO, then at BYU) to heed, and success at the lower level gives them promise at their shared outside LT spot. Scott has played better and will most likely get the starting slot to protect Meyer’s blind side, though Paul was rated higher coming in. Aaron Brant has started every game but two since coming here and will solidify the outside. What we note is that each is 300+lbs., and the mobility/speed of Meyer may be too much so that they cannot protect him properly when the offense is (in) spread (mode). Play calls have to be designed to maximize this Iowa State size advantage, so in their version of the spread, making more of two-back and/or two-TE sets and therefore more out of fundamental running plays that play to this line’s strength (literally) will go a long way toward having such ground work set up the pass.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The running game is the primary dimension being focused upon as they enter the fall, and rightfully so after such a dismal effort – mostly due to the best RBs being injured – from ’05 (ranked 96th). The sizeable line has its work cut out for them, but teams will not be able to pin their ears back (so to speak) and just pass rush due to no quality backs being available and things here will definitely improve. Like the line, the RBs we will see are big, abundant and worthy of foes respect, or else. Balance is the key for any spread to work, and Meyer has the mind and body to make both offensive facets work just by making the right decisions as he touches every snap. Meyer and nine other returning starters on this side of the ball are why we see ISU so highly regarded, and as he goes, so will go the team’s destiny. A deep corps of receivers (Blythe especially) and a pair of soft-handed TEs means the passing game will do damage, making it up to the line to live up to its potential so all can click simultaneously. Oh, by the way, note to foes – if they are in third/fourth-and-short or on the goal line, Kock is getting the ball (13 TDs, no yards lost on his 54 tries in ‘05), and if you can make him lose any yards this season while stopping Meyer, you have truly stopped ISU’s offense.

Defensive Line
DE Shawn Moorehead has to spearhead this pass rush since Jason Berryman was dismissed from the team for a second and final time. Ouch, Berryman was set to make this front unit one of the best in the conference. Inside, senior Brent Curvey had 6.5 sacks himself, a testament to how this line works together – if one (or more) guy gets double-teamed, the others produce, no matter what the play call. Unfortunately, the team has little depth, though Kurtis Taylor and Bryce Braaksma have the athleticism to make an impact. If no one steps up from the unknowns, Moorehead and Curvey will not be able to make 60 minutes worth of superior effort(s), and (what was in ’05) the nation’s 12th rated run stopping unit will drop enough to make team results suffer, too.

Linebacker
The defense took a second major hit when senior Matt Robertson was also dismissed from the team this spring. Double Ouch! Another smarty (Dean’s List) has made a name for himself after one year – ex-DB Adam Carper. The Calindra-native worked his way into the starting MLB role given the loss of Robertson, and he only has to prove himself in the box before he finds his huge potential. Alvin Bowen is also smallish at WILL, but plays the run instinctually well. There is more quality depth and speed here with ex-DE Josh Raven (though also small, which is why he has been converted) and ex-DB Brandon Hunley. Michigan State-transfer and sophomore Tyrone McKenzie (has) looked great in winter/spring workouts, as well as ripping the ISU offense a new one as a standout on scout team throughout ‘05. “Those are our top five right now,” says McCarney, “and even though we lack [some] experience [at specific assignments/positions], there is some real athleticism that (defensive coordinator) John Skladany is real excited about.” We only worry that the unit’s impact with its overall smallish stature will affect results against those quality in-conference foes, of which they will see plenty this season.

Defensive Back
Senior DeAndre Jackson is the lone piece of this section’s puzzle that will be built around to give ISU a rather new look. The well-sized ex-QB has really taken to his post at corner, and is as good at tackling and making big plays to prevent YAC and/or the run (four forced fumbles) as he is in coverage(s). The other DB slots are wide open and spring will tell all. Caleb Berg, all-Academic Big XII, has a huge upside and has seen the field on gameday. He could play anywhere in the secondary. Safety Jon Banks (also on State’s track team) has proven enough as a hard-hitter so that he will likely get the early nod, and CB Chris Singleton, a Ft. Myers (FL) product (2A all-state), saw time as a true frosh. Most of the DB talent, including what we have just listed, has seen the most time on special teams, so this ungelled area will dictate how well the entire D holds up. The ability for them to continue the trend of keeping the play(s) in front of them will be the key (82nd in pass defense, but 20th in the all-important efficiency category). With realistic expectations, this crew should do better than most think they will, and the early non-cons will allow them to settle in.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Defense is a huge part of why the Cyclones have garnered such respect heading into this campaign. However, the defense is now left reeling after having two of their best three playmakers (Berryman and Robertson) get dismissed from the team. Had these two been able to stick around, the overall team outlook could have put them in a Top 25 position. But now the defense is left with nothing but question marks when combined with the large array of graduation losses. It will all come down to how well secondary coach Chris Ash does with his unit’s new look. Ash has done well making annual turnover work, so we feel confident his unit can excel. The talent on the line is confirmed with Curvey and Moorehead, so the pass rush, should allow the DBs to gain an upper hand without needing to play over their heads. Another major variable, as with so many teams, will be the health of the starters. Injuries on the line to those proven bigmen would devastate results. The last variable is TOs, and ISU tied for fourth in the nation in 2005 with 35 (T-3rd with 22 INTs) after ranking 12th in 2004. You can see the trend that needs to be kept alive this way, but their INT numbers seem destined to go down, huh. In the Big XII North, ISU could start slow here, but with OU, Texas, Texas Tech and Iowa all lined up early, the Cyclones have their work cut out for them. Effectiveness here will go a long way toward making the offense relax – if the O is forced to win shootouts, the season will not play out like State fans wish.