Army scored first on a field goal, but Iowa State responded with 17 straight points and went on to down the Cadets 31-10 in Jack Trice Stadium for their second straight victory. Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads says the victory was the result of work prior to kickoff.
He says the team grew up this week and tonight by how they practiced and prepared the lessons they learned from last week’s game and the preparation before that. “They understand the importance of hard work and preparation and we must keep moving forward with that kind of attitude in mind,” Rhoads said. Rhoads says Army was a tough team that provided a test and the team responded.
Rhoads says the game was not without adversity as Army pulled within 17-10 at halftime and they could not stop Army from moving it right down the field before the half. He says the team is continuing to learn that you have to come out and play harder in the face of adversity. Rhoads says he’s happy with the way the team is learning.
He says the staff is teaching so many lessons each day and the team is listening the play is starting to reflect that. “We got a long way to go still, we haven’t emerged as this or that right now, we’ve emerged as a team that’s improving and starting to get it a little bit,” Rhoads says. The win gives Iowa State a 3-1 record and some confidence as they prepare to open Big 12 play next Saturday against Kansas State in Kansas City.