Defense Continues To Improve

AMES, Iowa – With four games under its belt, the Iowa State defense has shown significant signs of improvement in all phases.

The numbers certainly back this up.

Only one opponent has gained over 400 yards against the Cyclones this year, as ISU is averaging 379.5 yards of total defense. This average may not raise eyebrows, but in a historical perspective, it should.

Iowa State is in a league with powerful offenses, and the last time the Cyclones ended a season with under 400 yards of total defense was in 2007 (390.3).

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell explained how the improvement on defense comes from its diversity.

"What we showed during the bye week is to add some multiplicity to our defense," Campbell said. "We want to be good at things that our young guys can easily settle into, and then build from there. Some of those additions during the Texas game really helped us. You have to have the ability to change up the looks. There are too many good quarterbacks in this league to run the same thing every week. We will continue to play with a lot of packages, and continue to play a lot of guys."

The ability to make the big defensive play has been evident through four games. ISU has 32 tackles for loss on the year, averaging 8.0 TFL per game to rank 15^th nationally. When comparing this stat with ISU's offense, which has only given up 15 TFL this year, the Cyclones have a +17 TFL margin to tie for fourth nationally.

NCAA Leaders In TFL Margin
+26 (45-19) Ohio State
+19 (35-16) Vanderbilt
+18 (50-32) Wake Forest
+17 (32-15) Iowa State
+17 (43-26) Oregon
+17 (29-12) Alabama

J.D. Waggoner (DE) and Willie Harvey (LB) lead the Cyclones with 4.5 TFL each.

Of ISU's 32 TFL, ten have been sacks to put the Cyclones second in the Big 12 in sacks per game at 2.5. Sophomore defensive end JaQuan Bailey, who had two sacks vs. Texas, leads the Cyclones with three sacks to tie for third in the Big 12.

One of the biggest surprises of the season has been the successful transition of senior Joel Lanning to linebacker. Lanning, who spent his first four seasons at ISU as a QB, has emerged as a leader on the defense, ranking second in the Big 12 and fifth nationally in tackles per game (11.5).

Sophomore linebacker Marcel Spears is right behind Lanning, ranking third in the Big 12 and 12^th nationally in tackles per game at 10.3.

Against Texas, Lanning had a monster game, racking up 20 tackles, the most by a Cyclone in a regulation game since Jeff Waters racked up 22 against Missouri in 1998.

Lanning's 20 stops is the most by a Big 12 player this season.

"What Joel did in Thursday night's game with 20 tackles was amazing," Campbell said. "We are playing multiple fronts, and the effect of that goes onto the linebackers. They need to know how to fit. So much of the credit goes to Joel to adapt to those fits and make a difference. He has continued to feel himself in the blitz game and in pass drops. Joel is really talented. I am really proud of how he has developed for us this season."

Much of the success of the defense should go to unsung heroes up front, guys like Vernell Trent, Ray Lima, Eny Uwazurike, Waggoner and Bailey. With the front four holding their own, it makes life easier for the linebackers to capitalize.

The combination of all three positions, including the defensive backs, who have helped the Cyclones rank 19^th nationally in interceptions with six, have forced opponents to 21 drives without a first down (3-and-out or turnovers) in 53 opportunities.

The remaining opponents on the Iowa State schedule will be teams with potent offenses. It will be a tough test, but the Cyclones are looking like they will be able to hold their own.

Players Mentioned

JaQuan Bailey

Willie Harvey

Joel Lanning

Ray Lima

Vernell Trent

J.D. Waggoner

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