Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads defended Cyclone quarterback Steele Jantz during his weekly news conference in Ames. Jantz threw for only 73 yards and the struggling Iowa State offense committed four turnovers in a 24-13 loss to Texas Tech. Rhoads says quarterbacks get too much credit and too much of the blame.

“As people gather their sledgehammers and go after Steele for his performance, and whether they were uplifting him after the first 3 victories or not, I’m not quite certain. There are 11 guys out on the field and there’s a number of coaches in the film room all week long putting together a game plan. There’s never one person to blame for any outcome,”Rhoads says.

Rhoads stopped short of saying Jantz will be the starting quarterback this weekend when the Cyclones visit 15th ranked T.C.U. He says the starter will be determined in practice this week.

“I think the guy who is out there playing at the particular position has to be playing well and giving us a chance to win. That’s what you are looking for, is that postilion giving us a chance to win? Is making a change going to give us a better chance to win?,” Roads says. “That’s the answers that we’ve got to come up with as coaches, both during the week and on the sideline during game day.”

Rhoads says Jantz has performed well in practice and it needs to carry over to the games. He says what they see in practice excites them and that’s why Jantz has been the starter and it’s also why he is 3-1 on the season.

Roads says regardless of who the quarterback is the Cyclone offense needs to be more productive. “Because in this league you’ve got to score points also. I think our defense is pretty dang good. But the offenses that we’re gonna face, certain games holding a them into the mid-30’s is gonna be pretty good, and you can’t punch your way to that kind of victory,” Rhoads says.

Rhoads says experience is a factor for a TCU defense that is giving up just over seven points per game in a 4-0 start. He says they have guys in the system that thoroughly understand the system and they have coaches who know what to do.

Rhoads says while the defense played well against Texas Tech that unit also has areas that need to improve. He says looking at the game tape there is plenty to show how the defense also contributed to the loss and there is plenty to “keep anybody and everybody humble.”

The Cyclones are 3-1 overall.