NOTEBOOK: Luke Knott steps in during ISU football’s loss to UNI
UNI junior running back David Johnson fumbles the ball near the endzone in the last minutes of the game against the Cyclones on Aug. 31 at Jack Trice Stadium. Cyclones defensive back Deon BroomfieldCQ picked up the fumble giving the Cyclones a last chance but to no avail the Cyclones lost 20-28.
August 31, 2013
On the day former ISU linebacker Jake Knott made the 53-man roster of the Philadelphia Eagles, his brother Luke also had a breakthrough.
Luke, a redshirt freshman, entered the game at the weakside linebacker position in the second quarter of Iowa State’s 28-20 loss to Northern Iowa on Saturday. Knott replaced junior Jevohn Miller and finished the game with six tackles and one pass breakup.
“We were having poor play out of the position and needed to make a substitution just like we would at any other position if somebody wasn’t performing at the level to help us win,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads of the reason for the substitution.
Knott, a quarterback in high school at West in Lee’s Summit, Mo., broke up a pass intended for UNI running back David Johnson on one of the first plays after his substitution and got the attention of his teammates.
Redshirt senior strong safety Deon Broomfield felt the pass breakup and performance by Knott helped the ISU defense gain momentum, especially in the second half.
“I was really happy with what Luke did,” Broomfield said. “We asked him to come in and make a play. I think he did a great job and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring if he stays up with the [first team defense].”
Cyclones face bye before taking on in-state rival Iowa
Rhoads has not shied away from talking about the youth of his team with all of his players. In fact, he has embraced it when speaking to his squad.
Following Iowa State’s loss on Saturday, how the Cyclones respond in the coming days could be the most telling of how it will perform after not having a game next weekend.
“We’re a young team, and tomorrow is going to be a huge day,” said ISU running back Jeff Woody. “Coming in and those young guys that haven’t seen themselves before on film in a game had an experience and don’t know how fast and how things change. That’s going to be huge.”
Running back James White, who rushed for 34 yards and caught a touchdown pass, said whether or not the team played next week, learning from its mistakes sooner rather than later is most important.
Iowa State will host in-state rival Iowa on Sept. 14 at Jack Trice Stadium.
