Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says the Cyclones need a good week of practice as they prepare for Saturday night’s game at home against Army. ISU is 2-1 after a convincing victory at Kent State. Rhoads says the challenges Army presents are unique as they are the only team the Cyclones will face that run the this type of offense and defense.
Rhoads says Army plays an option attack on offense out of the “flex-bone”. They go tackle to tackle with backs lined up and lots of motion, and they can give the ball to the fullback, or pitch it, or the quarterback can keep it. He says they will also use a version of the “desert swarm” defense that Arizona used in the 1990’s.
Rhoads says the victory gave the Cyclones a confidence boost, as the says that happens anytime you win and he wants the team to prepare and play with confidence. Running back Alexander Robinson continues to put up impressive numbers and has topped the 100 yard mark in the last two games.
Rhoads says Robinson did a nice job of improving his ability to press the line of scrimmage and press certain blocks, which he says allows the line to play better. He says there were plays that he got 6 to 10 yards that changed into bigger gains because of the way he ran the plays.
Rhoads wanted Iowa State’s spread offense to have some unique qualities and so far it has. The Cyclones are averaging just under 210 yards of rushing per game. He says if you are going to be physical, you have to run the ball and provide room and space to run the ball. Rhoads says they can’t run plays where they ask the backs to make a guy miss every play.
Army is 2-1 and Rhoads says the Black Knights will provide a tough test, as he says they will be the most disciplined and physical football team they play all year.