Grant Rohach is at the top of the depth chart at quarterback but Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says Sam Richardson may still be the starter in Saturday’s game against TCU. Richardson has started all eight games in ISU’s 1-7 start and Rhoads says this is the first time they have considered giving Rohach the start. “The Iowa game we discussed that had Grant been more prepared and shown more on the practice field we would have — because Sam’s health had been so poor leading up into that game– since then no. There hasn’t been a time when we leaned one way or another,” Rhoads says.
Rhoads is not concerned the indecision regarding Saturday’s starter will hurt the confidence of both quarterbacks. He says at this level they have to have thick skin and get back the sensitivity. Rhoads says they both realize their play is measured by everybody, including their teammates along with the coaches.
Rhoads says Richardson’s productivity has been hurt by numerous injuries on offense, especially up front. He says Richardson lost one regular season game in high school and says you can’t do that without being good and confident, but says they realize that a supporting cast is necessary. “When a lot of that supporting cast is on the sidelines in sweats, it’s hard to put pieces together to get in a rhythm and avoid that type of issue.”
Rhoads says TCU will come in hungry for a victory. The Horned Frogs are 3-6 after an overtime loss at home to West Virginia and he says they are like his team “a cornered and injured animal” that “will sense blood in the water and go after it.”