Record: 1-5
Win: Iowa 2-4
Losses: Kent State 3-3, UNI 5-0, Toledo 2-4, Nebraska 4-2, Texas Tech 5-1
The Good:
1. More first downs then opponents: 128-111
2. More rushing yards then opponents: 810-721
3. Least penalized team in Big 12: 19 for 162 yards
4. Time of Possession: ISU 32:45 / Opponent 27:15
5. 3rd Down Conversions: ISU 43% / Opponents 39%
6. Sacks: ISU 12 / Opponents 9
The Bad:
1. Scoring: ISU 111 / Opponents 173
2. Turnovers: Iowa State 17 / Opponents 10
3. Kick Return Average: ISU 21 / Opponents 27
4. Punt Return Average: ISU 4 / Opponents 9
Top Players:
LB Alvin Bowen – 54 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 int, 2 FF
FS James Smith – 37 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 int, 2 FF, 2 FR
DE Kurtis Taylor – 19 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks
RB JJ Bass – 108 carries, 432 yards, 4.0 average, 4 TD, 7 catches, 35 yards
WR Todd Blythe – 32 catches, 419 yards, 13.1 average, 3 TD
Top Areas To Improve for Second Half of Season:
1. Turnover Margin
2. Special Team Play
3. Find Playmakers
4. Improved Offensive Line Play
5. Improved Defensive Line Play
6. Improvement in Secondary
Future Stars (Freshman/Sophomore)
WR/QB/Athlete – Phillip Bates
FS – James Smith
CB – Allen Bell
P – Mike Brandtner
RT – Ben Lamaak
RB – Alexander Robinson
FB – Derrick Catlett
WR – Marquis Hamilton
Top Priorities for 2008
1. Placekicker – Top returners are Chris Mahoski and Grady Derheim
2. Tight End – Derrick Catlett and Patrick Neal return then who?
3. Deep Snapper – Redshirt freshman David Wonders is listed as Matt Purvis back up
4. Defensive Line Depth – the freshman DL better be ready to play in 2008
5. Outside Linebackers – Need to build depth
6. Strong Safety – Chris Brown has played admirably but ISU could use a punishing strong safety
7. Playmakers on Offense – Need WR/RB that can break the big one
Recruiting by Position
Quarterback (3) – would appear to be done with Tiller, Land and Jordan in the fold
Running Back (1-2) – a high school RB and Juco playmaker if available
Tight End (1-2) – I would expect ISU to add one or two TE – Bykowski would appear to be a future tackle
Wide Receiver (2-3) – 2 athletic high schoolers to go along with juco Christian Graham
Offensive Line (4-5) – The Cyclones did a nice job of patching holes in 2007 – expect 4-5 high schoolers
Linebacker (2-3) – 2 high schoolers and a juco LB if available
Cornerbacks (2-3) – Iowa State has talented youngsters, expect 2-3 high school CB for depth and help on special teams
Safeties (2-3) – 2 high school and 1 athletic juco if available
Defensive Ends (2-3) – With McDonough and Robertson in the fold the Cyclones may be finished
Defensive Tackles (3-4) – The Cyclones could really use a stud juco run stuffer and 2-3 youngsters to groom
Placeckicker (1) – Iowa State can offer immediate playing time to a top notch kicker
2008 Projected Lineup- new starters in italics
Offense
TE Derrick Catlett
LT Doug Dedrick
LG Reggie Stephens
C Brandon Johnson
RG Tom Schmeling
RT Ben Lamaak
QB Austen Arnaud
RB JJ Bass
WR RJ Sumrall
WR Marquis Hamilton
WR Phillip Bates
Defense
WE Rashawn Parker
DT Bailey Johnson
NG Nate Frere
DE Kurtis Taylor
SAM Michael Bibbs
MIKE Jesse Smith
WILL Josh Raven
CB Allen Bell
CB Chris Singleton
SS Steve Johnson
FS James Smith
Special Teams
PK Chris Mahoski
P Mike Brandnter
DS David Wonders
H Derec Schmidgall
KR Drenard Williams / Allen Bell
PR Drenard Williams
Redshirt Freshman Who Could Challenge for Spots
LB Cameron Bell
OT Trey Baysinger
DT Jerrod Black
DE Randy Kellman
