Throughout the fall camp, both head coach Paul Rhoads and offensive coordinator Mark Mangino talked about a new offensive system that was put in place. They never gave much away, however, keeping the playbook close to their chests.

But on Sept. 6, ISU fans finally were able to see Mangino’s new system and many were pleased with what they saw, even though the team failed to win the game.

“There’s a lot to be learned that you take away from every game,” Rhoads said. “We made great improvement from week one to week two, in all areas of the program. We did certain things necessary to put us in position to win the football game, but we did things not good enough in the end to win the football game.”

Yet to start the game, things were a very different story. The Cyclones failed to earn a first down until the closing minutes of the first quarter and were forced to punt several times early in the game.

With no offensive production, the Cyclones fell quickly. Kansas State was in complete control and was leading 10-0 less than five minutes into the game.

Then, a few minutes later, the Wildcats scored again, making the score 13-0.

“We need to be more urgent,” said wide receiver Allen Lazard. “We need to have the need to get plays done, to get a block done and get your assignments right. Not letting your foot off the gas at all, and we weren’t doing these things right away today.”

But things started to click for the offense. Quarterback Sam Richardson marched the team down the field and completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jarvis West.

Then West struck again, returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown and giving Iowa State its first lead of the game.

“With Quenton [Bundrage] going down, we had to find another option,” West said. “Obviously it was my turn today to step up and be a leader.”

After West’s back-to-back scores, things really started picking up for the offense. It was finally able to move the ball up the field, something with which it struggled early in the game.

By the end of its offensive run, Iowa State had scored 28 unanswered points.

“We should have won that game. I think everyone in our program knows that,” Lazard said. “We just need to learn to finish. If we do that, having [Kansas State] be in the top 20, we know we belong right there as well.”

But then the Wildcats rallied back and the Cyclones found themselves down by four points with less than two minutes remaining in the game. They had one last drive to win the game, but it wasn’t enough.

Kansas State came up with the defensive stop, sealing the win for the Wildcats.

Even though they couldn’t convert on the final drive of the game, Rhoads still has faith in both Richardson and the offense.

“I think Sam did very well,” Rhoads said. “I think he probably played overall the best two games as a starting quarterback the last two games. I think he played this one better than the first one, and I fully expect him next week to play his best game as quarterback.”