Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says his message to his players this week is “stay the course”. In the midst of the toughest part of their schedule the Cyclones have suffered two straight lopsided defeats and next up must visit 22nd ranked Texas. Rhoads says he sits and looks at the guys who’re trying to do what they are asking him to do, and he says that makes it a challenge as a coach.
Texas snapped a two game losing skid with an impressive win at Nebraska and the Longhorns are 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big-12. Rhoads says Texas has the number 4 total defense and he says Texas took advantage of that against Nebraska. Iowa State heavily recruits the state of Texas so every chance to play in the “Lone Star” is important.
Rhoads says he writes a number of notes to recruits every day and he says those recruits are not hanging on every win and loses, and he says that won’t detract from the positive things they are doing. There are more than a dozen Iowa State players who will be returning to their home state this weekend.
Rhoads says it’s key in recruiting Texas kids in going back and he says they will be guaranteed two trips in the future with the new conference alignment. One change on the defensive two-deep finds Jacob Lattimer moving into the starting spot at left defensive end ahead of Patrick Neal. He says Lattimer has played better recently.
Iowa State is 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the Big-12.