The Iowa State Cyclones may be without senior defensive end Rashawn Parker this weekend when they open the Big-12 race against Kansas State in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. Parker injured his knee in the Cyclones 31-10 win over Army was scheduled to have an MRI, today, to assess the damage. If he is out of the lineup redshirt sophomore Patrick Neal will move into his spot.
Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says Neal has bounced around in different positions and this one seems to be the one where he should play. Cyclone running back Alexander Robinson is the Big-12 co-offensive player of the week. The junior rushed for 129 yards and scored three touchdowns in the victory over Army.
Rhoad says Robinson has put up numbers that make him well deserving of the honor and says the whole team will be pleased that he won the award. ISU is 3-1 and Rhoads says the players understand what it takes to be successful. He says they know that the winning formula is “great preparation, followed by great execution.”
Rhoads says the players are excited with the chance to play in Arrowhead Stadium, as he says not everyone gets a chance to play in an NFL stadium. Kansas State is 2-2 in a season wghich featured the return of coach Bill Snyder. Rhoads says the Wildcat ground game will test the Cyclone defense with a big, strong physical back.
The Iowa State offensive line has given up only one sack so far this season. Rhoads says that is a combination of the design of the offense and the play of the line. He says the offense requires them to get the ball out quickly and he says the offensive line is talented and has gotten better.