 Kiper: 2001 Big 12 football preview Iowa State Clubhouse Mel Kiper's story archive |
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Thursday, July 5 Iowa State football preview By Mel Kiper ESPN.com Let this be a lesson to administrations throughout the college football world: Allow the head coach the necessary time to implement his program and gain the necessary continuity. Nowhere was this on more display than in Ames, Iowa, where patience paid dividends. After suffering through five straight losing seasons under Dan McCarney, the Cyclones enjoyed a turnaround campaign in 2000. Not only did they close out the regular season with an 8-3 record, but ISU went to the Insight.com Bowl and defeated Pittsburgh. Now, the challenge for McCarney and his staff will be maintaining a level of consistency from year to year, without falling back into their losing ways.
With their offensive leader and star performer Sage Rosenfels moving on to the Washington Redskins, McCarney will be counting on talented JUCO transfer Seneca Wallace to get the job done at QB. Over his two seasons at Sacramento City College, the multi-dimensional 6-foot-1, 185-pounder threw for 3,675 yards and 22 TDs, while also rushing for 550 yards and nine TDs. Originally a DB at the JUCO level, injuries at the QB position for Sacramento City opened up the opportunity for Wallace to make the shift to offense. From that point on, there has been no looking back. A gifted athlete with 4.50 speed, Wallace's spring performance was said to be very encouraging. In the spring game, he completed seven of 11 passes for 124 yards and a TD. He also rushed for 72 yards and another score. While Rosenfels could beat you from the pocket, you'll see a lot of sprint-out action with Wallace, allowing him to get out on the perimeter and have a pass-run option. With his inexperience at the major-college level, it will be interesting to see how Wallace reacts in game situations early in the campaign. Fortunately, Wallace can rely on the Big 12's leading rusher, senior Ennis Haywood. Last year, versatile 5-11, 215-pounder rushed for over 1,200 yards in 10 games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. he was also a major factor out of the backfield, hauling in 25 receptions. Coming off hernia surgery, Haywood wasn't full-go until late in the spring. A credit to McCarney and his recruiting efforts is the outstanding depth the Cyclones have at the RB position. Sophomore Michael Wagner ran for an ISU freshman record 170 yards against Oklahoma State last season, while sophomore Ja'Maine Billups delivered the play of the game against Pittsburgh at the Insight.com Bowl when he raced for 72 yards for a TD on a punt return. They have another talented sophomore, Hiawatha Rutland, on hand to provide additional quality backup support. At WR, the focus will be on sophomore Jamaul Montgomery, a 6-foot, 191-pounder who is generally viewed as the best athlete on the ISU squad. Although he didn't see much action early on last year, Montgomery served notice against Pittsburgh that he is a potential star of the future. In the Cyclones' bowl victory over the Panthers, Montgomery hauled in three receptions for 57 yards in the second half. Senior Craig Campbell, who had a big game against Nebraska last year with three catches for 119 yards and a TD, is the No. 2 option. Another key contributor will be sophomore Lane Danielson. Against Oklahoma State last season, he delivered in the clutch, coming through with a 33-yard TD reception with just 18 seconds left in the game. Wallace is also fortunate to have a quality veteran TE returning in underrated senior Mike Banks. The 6-4, 255-pounder can run, block well, and is adept at coming down with fingertip-type receptions. Last year he finished with 27 catches. The offensive line figures to hold its own, with 6-5, 341-pound senior RG Lorenzo White leading the way. DEFENSE In order to participate in postseason action for the second straight year, the Cyclones will have to plug some major holes on defense. Gone is the entire front four, all of which are in NFL camps. This group was keyed by the superior performance turned in by DE Reggie Hayward. Not only did Hayward lead the Cyclones in tackles with 90, but he also recorded seven sacks, 31 QB pressures, and blocked three kicks. Looking to make up for some of the production loss will be senior DE Kevin DeRonde and sophomore DT Jordan Carstens. DeRonde shows the necessary closing speed, while Carstens totaled an impressive 48 tackles last season while operating strictly as a backup. The former walk-on, who at one time checked in at just 225 pounds, is now a physically impressive 6-5, 286-pounder. Senior Willie Judd steps in at the NT spot, with sophomore Tyson Smith making the switch from LB to RDE in the spring. After working at OLB last season where he finished fourth on the team with 63 tackles (added 10 stops against Pitt in the bowl game), junior Matt Word is now stationed at MLB, This was a direct result of the broken leg suffered by mike-man Chris Whitaker in the spring. The Cyclones look to be in good shape at the safety positions with sophomore FS Marc Timmons and senior SS Adam Runk, but the CB spots are a completely different story. Sophomore CBs Harold Clewis (5-9½, 184) and Bryan Ollie (5-8, 178) both lack ideal size. Timmons, who was ISU's Newcomer of the Year last season, totaled 58 stops and three interceptions, one of which he returned 78 yards for a TD against Missouri. Runk, a fifth-year senior, came on at the end of the 2000 campaign, recording 24 tackles over the last three games. SPECIAL TEAMS Redshirt freshman Tony Yelk handled both the placekicking and punting duties in the spring. In August, though, all eyes will be on highly regarded recruit Troy Blankenship. A combination kicker as well, Blankenship will have an opportunity to win the punting job. With the depth situation and talent at RB, the Cyclones are afforded the opportunity of utilizing Wagner, Billups and Rutland in the punt/kickoff return game. OVERVIEW Sticking with McCarney paid nice dividends last year. There is no question that the ISU administration should be commended for its patience. After five straight losing seasons, McCarney delivered an exciting 9-3 campaign, highlighted by a victory over Pittsburgh at the Insight.com Bowl. With Rosenfels moving on to the NFL, the Cyclones lose a veteran leader who was a huge factor in the turnaround of the program. While new QB Seneca Wallace is multi-talented and performed well in the spring, the real test won't come until the regular season. How will he react against Nebraska at Lincoln and on the road at College Station against the Aggies of Texas A&M? At least before he gets into the rough part of the schedule, the Cyclones benefit from an opening slate that should allow for some initial success. Early on, Wallace will have to rely on his talented array of skill-position talent to take some of the pressure off. Haywood is an outstanding all-purpose performer, the receiving corps has a great deal of potential, and Banks is one of the top TEs in the Big 12. As mentioned, the Cyclones defense is a concern. DeRonde and Carstens will be counted on to get the job done up front, not allowing opposing QBs to attack with regularity and success against the Cyclone CBs who lack ideal size. While the 2000 campaign was rewarding, this is a key year for McCarney. With the talent level of the new starters, the Cyclones should be able to hold their own throughout the season. What you don't want is a return to the previous losing ways.  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