Offense Sharper in Scrimmage

AMES, Iowa ? Today it was the offense's time to shine. Giving what Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Herman called a “much improved” effort, the Cyclones scrimmaged Wednesday in the Bergstrom Indoor Athletic Training Facility because of storms plaguing central Iowa. The defense had held the upper hand in Saturday's scrimmage.

“What I liked was the focused effort by the offense today,” Herman said. “Saturday we had great effort but today we had great effort and great focus. (Iowa State head) coach Rhoads talks about how work without purpose is just work. I am much happier today than I was Saturday.”

Herman singled out junior college transfer wide receiver Darius Reynolds for praise.

“Darius does a great job of snaring the ball,” Herman said. “He is a guy who has worked himself from off the two-deep to a position where he is going to play.”

Herman said that most of the offense has been installed but cautioned that there are always new wrinkles to be added later in the season.

“A playbook is a mobius document,” Herman said.

Rhoads says that overall the team remains healthy.

“We have a little bit of what everyone has around the country, some bruises, some soreness but nothing serious in what is a long preseason camp,” Rhoads said. “I thought the offense did a better job executing today.”

Iowa State defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said Wednesday's scrimmage was impacted by the absence of several first-teamers.

“We have some guys that are banged up,” Burnham said. “These are not serious injuries but when our best guys aren't out there it has an impact on what we are able to do.”

It all begins two weeks from Thursday, when ISU plays host to North Dakota State at 7 p.m. in Jack Trice Stadium.