AMES – At this point a year ago, Iowa State football was 0-5 in Big 12 play. Today, its 4-1 in conference games and controls its own destiny to reach the league’s title game with two of its final four games coming at Jack Trice Stadium.
The growth is substantial between this time and the loss Iowa State took in its non-conference finale. And sure, things have changed in that time, but coach Matt Campbell says it was as much as the first months of the calendar year.
“I think what we’ve worked really hard on is this kind of day in-day out process throughout January, February, March, April, and May – that’s where we weren’t very good a year ago,” Campbell said. “And not just our players, or our coaches, (it’s) all of us – we all could have been better. And I think the reality is, that’s what you feel is different. And that’s exciting. Because you can live with a result, whether it’s positive or negative, you can look yourself in the mirror if you know, man, ‘I’ve done everything in my power to be my best.’ And I think those things are what’s energizing right now around this football team.”
Iowa State is staring down a matchup against a peculiar Kansas team – one that is coming off a statement win over a now No. 10 Oklahoma where it just made every play that it had to.
Inside the program, it won’t get ahead of itself. This is the only game that matters this week. But with what lies ahead with each and every win, the motivation and opportunity grows.
“Because there’s a lot of youth and there’s a lot of young people that are growing by the day,” Campbell said. “It’s not perfect, but their process to be perfect and be their best. That’s what’s been really fun about this team.”
Somewhere over the year, riddled in between team meetings, spring practices, coaching decisions and otherwise – Iowa State made adjustments.
In 2022, Iowa State ranked 116th in turnover margin. This season, it’s tied for 13th.
Jon Heacock’s defense comes in at No. 3 in the country with its 13 interceptions on the year.
“Yeah, you can’t explain it,” Heacock said of the jump. “Because everybody does that. We’ve done it the same here. We do a turnover circuit, like everybody has been doing it. And, you know, our guys are just kind of making that happen. We’re able to get in the right place at the right time. And we’ve had some guys (that were) opportunistic (that) made some great plays on some balls, some some good awareness of what’s happening and what the the routes and the plays are. So I think a lot of it is preparation.”
But Iowa State wasn’t neglecting to practice turnovers a season ago. It had just not seen success at creating them like it has this year.
“Then again, we focus like crazy on it,” Heacock said. “I mean, it’s it’s a big deal here. And, you know, coach Campbell – it starts with him from the top. I mean, every day, there’s periods dedicated to taking care of the football and getting the football back.”
The difference goes back to the off-season approach while fans are seeing a young team blossom at an opportune time.
Ryan Clanton’s offensive line group has made gains since the start of Big 12 play, rushing for 162 yards in last weekend’s win over Baylor. Special teams coach Jordan Langs has restructured Iowa State’s units to be more than serviceable – something it couldn’t say a year ago.
Throw all of that into offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase calling games as an O.C. for the first time, and it helps identify it.
Everywhere surrounding what was already a stout defense has been displaying growth nearly every week out. Now, Iowa State is 4-1 in conference play for just the third time in program history.
The other pair of 4-1 starts came under Campbell, and this young team has the chance to be the second to hit 5-1 on Saturday.
“Yeah – not much like it,” Campbell said of a night game atmosphere at Jack Trice Stadium. “I think that’s, that’s one of the great things about being this time of year and playing really special football games – you give back to our fan base, who has been very loyal to us and (are) playing meaningful games this time of year. Jack Trice (Stadium) makes it really special.”
Big 12 Standings
Oklahoma 4-1
Iowa State 4-1
Texas 4-1
Kansas State 4-1
Oklahoma State 4-1
Kansas 3-2
West Virginia 3-2
TCU 2-3
BYU 2-3
Texas Tech 2-3
Baylor 2-3
Houston 1-4
UCF 0-5
Cincinnati 0-5
Thursday, November 2
6 p.m. FS1 | TCU (2-3) @ Texas Tech (2-3)
Saturday, November 4
11 a.m. FOX | No. 25 Kansas State (4-1) @ No. 7 Texas (4-1)
2:30 p.m. ABC | No. 10 Oklahoma (4-1) @ Oklahoma State (4-1)
2:30 p.m. FS1 | UCF (0-5) @ Cincinnati (0-5)
2:30 p.m. ESPN+ | Houston (1-4) @ Baylor (2-3)
6 p.m. ESPN | Kansas (3-2) @ Iowa State (4-1)
6 p.m. FS1 | BYU (2-3) @ West Virginia (3-2)
