Season In Review

01.13.2015 | Football

By: cyclones.com

Cyclone Story Lines
-Iowa State (2-10, 0-9 Big 12) ended its 2014 campaign with a 2-10 overall record and a 0-9 Big 12 mark.
-Youth and injuries plagued the Cyclones during the 2014 season. A total of 21 players received their first career starts. Of the 21 players, seven were freshmen.
-The Cyclones only had four players (Tom Farniok, Cory Morrissey, Daniel Burton and Mitchell Meyers) who started every game during the season. ISU only had six start every game last year, compared to every game starters in double digits in the first four years of the Paul Rhoads era.
-Iowa State also faced a daunting schedule, which was ranked 15th nationally by the Sagarin rankings.
-Of the 12 ISU opponents, nine played in FBS bowl games. Another Cyclone opponent was North Dakota State, which won its fourth-straight FCS title.
-Iowa State's two wins (Iowa, Toledo) came against teams which played in a bowl game.
-Iowa State averaged 52,197 fans per game, the fourth-best season attendance total in school history, with two sellouts. ISU sold over 40,000 season tickets for the third-straight season. Over 50,000 fans have attended a game in Jack Trice Stadium for a school-record 26-straight games.
-Iowa State boasted one of the nation's best tight ends in E.J. Bibbs. Bibbs had eight TD receptions, tying for 38th nationally, seventh in the Big 12, No. 1 among “power 5” conference tight ends and one shy from the ISU single-season school record.
-Bibbs, who was a first-team All-Big 12 pick by both the Coaches and AP, sat out the final two games of the season with a knee injury. Bibbs made the final eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award and his 4.5 catches per game was second among “power 5” tight ends.
-Junior QB Sam Richardson had an outstanding season as the Cyclone signal-caller. Richardson set the Iowa State single-season mark in completions with 254. He also ended the season ranking in ISU's single-season top-10 in the following categories: TD Passes (T3rd, 18), Total Offense (3rd, 3,090) and Passing Yards (4th, 2,669). He's only the 4th QB in school history with 1,000 career rushing yards (1,010).
-Richardson, who ranked 13th nationally and third in the Big 12 in completions per game at 23.1, will enter his senior season in 2015 ranked in the following Iowa State career categories: Total Offense (4th, 5,617), TD Passes (4th, 37), Completions (4th, 421), Passing Yards (6th, 4,607) and Completion Percentage (6th, 56.1 percent).
-ISU's 2,981 yards passing is the second-best total in school history and its 21 TD tosses is fourth-best all-time. ISU totaled 256 first downs, tying for fourth all-time in school history.
-Freshman WR Allen Lazard had an outstanding season, catching 45 passes for 593 yards, the second-best rookie totals in school history.
-ISU was one of 12 teams in the nation with four players with 40+ receptions: Jarvis West (46), Allen Lazard (45), E.J. Bibbs (45) and D'Vario Montgomery (44). ISU ranked 22nd nationally among freshman receptions with 60: Lazard (45), Jauan Wesley (10), Tyler Brown (3), Martinez Syria (1), Brandon Harris (1).
-Sophomore PK Cole Netten made 11-of-14 FGs (78.6) to post the second-best season FG pct. clip in school history. He also tied the school record by making 11-straight FGs dating back to the end of the 2013 season to the middle of 2014. His career 75.0 percent clip (24-32 FG) is currently No. 1 in school history.
-Iowa State ranked 21st nationally in fewest turnovers, committing just 16 miscues on the year. The Cyclones won or tied the turnover battle in nine of 12 games. ISU's 16 turnovers is the third-lowest total in school history.
-Senior Jarvis West led the Cyclones in receptions with 46 to give him 117 in his career, the 11th-best total in school history.
-ISU had seven players earn Big 12 recognition during the season. E.J. Bibbs (TE) was a first-team choice. Tom Farniok (C), Jacob Gannon (OL), Cory Morrissey (DE) and Cole Netten (PK) were honorable mention selections. Allen Lazard made the HM all-rookie team.
-Kamari Cotton-Moya was named Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.

If You Build It, They Will Come
-Paul Rhoads has built the Iowa State football program into a consistent player on the collegiate football scene with three bowl bids in the last six years.
-The Iowa State fanbase has paid attention. Thanks to the recent success and Rhoads' enormous popularity, the Cyclones are shattering all attendance records.
-Over 50,000 fans have attended a game in Jack Trice Stadium a school-record 26-straight games.
-Thanks to Rhoads, eight of the top-10 most attended games in school history have occurred in the last three seasons.
-ISU averaged 52,197 in seven home games in 2014, the fourth-best single-season average in school history.
-ISU sold out its first two home games (North Dakota State, Kansas State).
-The 2014 capacity of Jack Trice Stadium is 54,800 because of construction in the south end zone.

The Cyclone Defense
-Against Iowa, the Cyclones posted its top defensive effort of the season, holding the Hawkeyes to an opponent season-low 275 yards of total offense, Iowa's lowest output in the series since 2008 and the lowest total the Cyclone defense has allowed since Sept. 15, 2012 (178 yards) vs. Western Illinois.
-The ISU defense held Iowa to just 102 yards in the second half.
-ISU had a +3 turnover differential in its last 10 games, forcing 15 turnovers during that span.
-ISU had 10 interceptions in its last nine games.
-The Cyclones had three interceptions against Oklahoma, the most since picking off three passes against TCU in 2012.

Offense Finding Rhythm
-The Cyclone offense improved throughout the season.
-ISU produced 400 yards of total offense four times this season: Toledo (454), Texas (524), Texas Tech (569) and West Virginia (410).
-ISU tallied a season-high 569 yards of total offense vs. Texas Tech, the most by the Cyclones in a regulation game since recording 626 yards on Nov. 22, 2008 at Kansas State.
-ISU also totaled a season-high 265 yards rushing vs. Texas Tech.
-The Cyclones combined for 82 points in back-to-back games vs. Toledo and Texas, the most points scored by a Cyclone team in back-to-back non-overtime games since 2008.
-Against Texas, the Cyclones scored 45 points, the second-most points ever given up by a Charlie Strong-coached team, and the third-most scored by a Cyclone team vs. a Big 12 opponent in the Rhoads era (non-overtime games). ISU also had 524 yards of total offense vs. the Longhorns.
-Against Toledo, Sam Richardson completed a school-record 37 passes. Four different receivers had five or more catches in the game.
-In the Iowa game, the Cyclones scored on their final two drives (9-plays, 92 yards, TD; 11-plays, 51 yards, FG with 0:02) to post a come-from-behind win on the road.
-ISU OC Mark Mangino implemented his “spread the wealth” style of offense. ISU was one of 12 teams nationally to have four receivers with 40+ catches: Jarvis West (46), E.J. Bibbs (45), Allen Lazard (45) and D'Vario Montgomery (44).
-ISU was 46th nationally and sixth in the Big 12 in 3rd down conversions at 42.3 percent.
-20 of ISU's 34 offensive TDs this season were attributed to scoring drives of 75 yards or longer.

Cyclones Getting Experience
-A total of 21 Cyclones recorded their first career starts this year: Brett Medders, Mitchell Meyers, Devlyn Cousin, Alton Meeks, Kane Seeley, Kamari Cotton-Moya, T.J. Mutcherson, Allen Lazard, Jake Campos, DeVondrick Nealy, P.J. Harris, Trent Taylor, Qujuan Floyd, Drake Ferch, Jauan Wesley, D'Vario Montgomery, Vernell Trent, Brian Mills, Darian Cotton, Dale Pierson and Quan West.
-Of the 21 Cyclones who notched their first career starts, seven were freshmen: Lazard, Campos, Cotton-Moya, Meeks, Wesley, Trent and Mills.
-10 Cyclone freshmen saw significant playing time this season. Six on defense: Kamari Cotton-Moya (DB), Robby Garcia (DL), Alton Meeks (LB), Vernell Trent (DL), Brian Mills (LB) and Kamari Syrie (DB). Four on offense: Allen Lazard (WR), Jake Campos (OL), Martinez Syria (RB) and Jauan Wesley (WR).
-Five freshmen started in the game vs. Texas Tech: Campos, Lazard, Cotton-Moya, Trent, Mills.
-Four true freshmen played in a game this season: Colin Downing (P), Allen Lazard (WR), Jauan Wesley (WR) and Martinez Syria (RB), the most for the Cyclones since 2009.

Taking Care Of The Ball
-The Cyclones did a remarkable job of taking care of the football in 2014. ISU tallied just 16 turnovers on the year, ranking 21st nationally in fewest miscues.
-ISU had five fumbles lost to rank ninth nationally. One of the fumbles was on the final play of the Texas game when the Cyclones had to utilize a series of laterals on the final kickoff return.
-ISU's 16 turnovers on the year is the third-lowest total by a Cyclone team in school history.
Lowest Turnover Seasons By A Cyclone Team
1. 14 in 2001 (11 games)
2. 15 in 2004 (12 games)
3. 16 in 2014 (12 games)
4. 17 in 1996 (11 games)
17 in 2010 (12 games)

Jarvis West Had Career Day vs. Kansas State
-Jarvis West had one of the greatest opening periods in ISU history vs. Kansas State when he caught a 17-yard TD pass, returned a punt 82 yards for a TD and threw a 29-yard TD pass in the first half.
-West was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, Hornung Award Honor Roll and CFPA Punt Returner of the Week after his performance vs. Kansas State.
-He became just the third player in FBS or FCS to achieve the feat since 1998.
-He also became just the fourth player in ISU history to record a kickoff return and punt return for a TD in school history: Dick Howard, Don Ferguson and Tom Vaughn. Vaughn was the last Cyclone to do it in 1963.
-Overall, West has been responsible for a TD in five different combinations in his career: TD rush, TD catch, TD pass, TD punt return, TD kickoff return, the only current player in the nation to claim this.
-West led the team with 46 catches and ended his career with 117 receptions, the 11th-best total in school history.

Allen Lazard Off To A Great Start
-True freshman WR Allen Lazard is had a fantastic start to his Cyclone career.
-Lazard was inserted into a starting role after the untimely loss to ISU's top returning receiver Quenton Bundrage, who tore his ACL in the season-opener vs. North Dakota State.
-Lazard ended the year with 45 catches and 593 yards receiving, which ranks second all-time among Cyclone rookie receivers in both categories.
-Lazard caught a pass in all 12 games.
-Had a breakout game vs. Toledo, setting career highs in catches (8) and receiving yards (96), and then followed it up with an 8-catch, 88-yard performance at Texas.
-Named to the HM Big 12 All-Freshman team.

Sam Richardson In Control Of Offense
-Junior QB Sam Richardson claimed the role of signal-caller of the Iowa State offense in fall camp and is producing one of the best seasons ever by a Cyclone QB.
-In consecutive games against Toledo and Texas, Richardson posted one of the best back-to-back performances by a Cyclone QB in school history, recording the top-two completion marks in the history of Cyclone football: Toledo (37), Texas (36).
-Richardson's back-to-back 300-yard passing games vs. Toledo (351) and Texas (345) is only the third time in school history where a QB achieved the feat.
-Had three 300-yard passing games during the year.
-Had a streak of throwing a TD pass in nine-straight games, the third-best streak in school history. -Ended the year 13th nationally and third in the Big 12 in completions per game (23.1), 25th nationally and sixth in the Big 12 in total offense (280.9) and 52nd nationally and fifth in the Big 12 in passing yards (242.6).
-Broke the school record for completions in a season with 254.
-Against Iowa, Richardson was 25-of-36 for 255 yards and 2 TDs, including completing 17-of-21 passes in the second half to help ISU overcome an 11-point halftime deficit.
-Against Baylor, Richardson ran for a season-high 99 yards.
-Against Toledo, Richardson broke the school-record for completions in a game (37), establishing career bests in completions, passing yardage (351) and total offense (382). He completed 21-of-27 second half passes to help the Cyclones overcome a halftime deficit.
-Richardson completed a career-best 14-straight passes vs. Kansas State.
-Richardson ended the year ranking in Iowa State's SEASON top-10 in the following categories: 1st in completions (254), T3rd in TD passes (18), 3rd in total offense (3,090) and 4th in passing yards (2,669).
-Richardson now ranks in Iowa State's CAREER top-10 in the following categories: 4th in total offense (5,617), 4th in TD passes (37), 4th in completions (421), 6th in passing yards (4,607) and 6th in Completion Percentage (56.1).
-One of four QBs in school history (not including single wing spinbacks) who have rushed for over 1,000 yards in a career (1,010).

Farniok Was The Seasoned Veteran
-Senior co-captain Tom Farniok is the seasoned veteran of the Cyclones, registering a team-high 47 career starts, which ranks third among active Big 12 players.
-Invited to participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
-Farniok was named to both the Rimington Award and the Weurffel Trophy watch lists.
-Was named HM All-Big 12 for the third-straight season.
-Along with senior RT Jacob Gannon, Farniok is one of two Cyclones on the team to start at least one game in the last four seasons.
-A native of Sioux Falls, S.D., Farniok called the shots at the line scrimmage and his leadership was instrumental in the success of the Cyclone offense.
-Farniok was injured in the second quarter of the North Dakota State game and did not play the rest of the game, as the Cyclone offense sputtered in the second half.
-Farniok went 3-0 against intrastate rival in his four years as a Cyclone. He was injured in ISU's loss to Iowa in 2013 and did not play in the game.
-Farniok spent the summer as an assistant strength and conditioning coach working with the Iowa State men's basketball team. He wants to be a strength and conditioning coach when his football career is over.
Big 12 Active Leaders In Career Starts
1. 52, B.J. Finney, Kansas State
2. 49, Quandre Diggs, Texas
3. 47, Tom Farniok, Iowa State

Morrissey Led The Defense
-Senior DE Cory Morrissey was the leader of the Iowa State defense in 2014, earning HM All-Big 12 honors for the second season in a row.
-Morrissey led the team in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (6.0). Morrissey's 6.0 sacks ties for 10th on ISU's single-season list.
-Morrissey was named the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Week after his performance vs. Iowa when he registered career highs in tackles (7), TFL (3.0) and sacks (2.0) against All-American Iowa LT Brandon Scherff.
-Morrissey was ninth in the Big 12 in sacks (6.0).
-Morrissey's is ISU's active career leader in sacks (8.0) and TFL (17.0).

Netten Kicking His Way Into The Record Books
-Sophomore Cole Netten had one of the finest seasons by a placekicker in Cyclone history.
-Ended the year making 11-of-14 FGs was perfect on his PAT attempts (35-35) to lead the team in scoring with 68 points. His 78.6 FG percentage ranked 36th nationally, third in the Big 12 and was the third-best single-season FG percentage in school history.
-Named HM All-Big 12.
-Had his 11-straight field goals made streak end at Kansas (Nov. 8), which tied the school record for consecutive made field goals with Jeff Shudak (1988-89).
-Against Iowa, Netten hit the game-winning FG, a 42-yarder with 0:02 seconds left. He also hit a career-long 47-yarder in the game. He was named Big 12's Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance vs. the Hawkeyes.
-Against Toledo, he tied his career high by making three field goals.
-In his career, Netten is 24-of-32 (75.0 pct.), the best career percentage in school history.

Big Play Bibbs Was One of The Nation's Best Tight Ends
-Senior TE E.J. Bibbs was one of the nation's best tight ends.
-Named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, earned All-Big 12 First-Team honors and was invited to participate in the Senior Bowl.
-In his last six games played, Bibbs has 34 receptions, 294 yards receiving and 7 TDs. He missed the last two games with a knee injury.
-Bibbs was named the CFPA TE Performer of the Week twice this season.
-Bibbs was second on the team in receptions (45) and led the team in TDs (8). His eight TD receptions tied for 38th nationally and tied for fourth on ISU's single-season list, one shy from the school record.
-Among “power 5” conference tight ends, Bibbs was first in TDs (8) and second in receptions per game (4.5). His 45 catches is second on ISU's season chart for TEs.
-Bibbs caught a pass in all 22 games of his career, including multiple catches in 21 of 22 career games. His 22-game streak of catching a pass is the best streak established by an ISU TE and ties for second overall in school history, one shy from the school record.
-His 84 career catches ranks third all-time among ISU tight ends and his 844 yards receiving is the fourth-best total ever by an ISU tight end.
-Against Oklahoma State, Bibbs registered six catches and 69 receiving yards while catching a career-high two TD passes. He earned CFPA Tight End Performer of the Week for his efforts.
-Against Texas, he was named CFPA Tight End Performer of the Week after a 10-catch, 73-yard and 2-TD performance. His 10 catches was the most by a Cyclone since Collin Franklin caught 10 passes vs. Colorado in 2010.
-Bibbs was an All-Big 12 Second-Team selection in 2013 after catching 39 passes for 462 yards. His 39 catches a year ago is the third-highest season total by an ISU tight end.

Dealing With Injuries- Cyclones Lose Nine Significant Players to Season-Ending Injuries
-Iowa State has already lost 11 significant contributors to season-ending injuries this season.
-Quenton Bundrage, ISU's leading receiver in 2013 (48 catches, 676 yards, 9 TDs), had his junior season ended on the fourth play of the 2014 season when he tore his ACL vs. North Dakota State in the season-opener.
-Ben Loth, ISU's backup center, went down with a knee injury on the first day of fall camp.
-Special teams dynamos Levi Peters, ruptured achilles, and Matt Swoyer, knee, were also lost for the season with over half the year left.
-WR P.J. Harris, who had nine catches in the first three games, had his season ended with a knee injury vs. Iowa, along with backup offensive lineman Jacob Dunning.
-WR Brett Medders suffered a season-ending injury in practice prior to the Baylor game.
-Junior OL Brock Dagel, who had started 15 consecutive games, had his season shelved after the Oklahoma State game.
-Senior LB Jevohn Miller was having an All-Big 12 season until he went down with a knee injury in the second defensive play of the game vs. Oklahoma. Miller was leading the team and ranking in the top-5 in the Big 12 in tackles (68, 9.7 tpg) and had 3.5 TFL.
-Senior starters E.J. Bibbs (TE) and Brandon Jensen (DL) missed the last two games with various injuries.
-Only four players were able to start every game of the season: Tom Farniok, Cory Morrissey, Mitchell Meyers, Daniel Burton.
Players To Start Every Game The Last Six Seasons
2014- 4
2013- 6
2012- 12
2011- 11
2010- 10
2009- 11