LAWRENCE, Kan. — For the majority of the season, the defense had played the key role in victories for the ISU football team.

But last Saturday, Nov. 17, ISU coach Paul Rhoads said it was the offense that sparked the 51-23 win against Kansas to drive the team to bowl eligibility for the third time in four seasons.

Quarterback Sam Richardson led the offensive charge, going 23-for-27 for 250 yards and four passing touchdowns — also rushing for 43 yards and one touchdown — in his debut with significant playing time.

“I really like how he threw the ball in warmups,” Rhoads said of Richardson. “He was really crisp and throwing some great spirals.”

Richardson came in for starter Steele Jantz in the first quarter, making it nearly impossible for Kansas (1-10, 0-8 Big 12) to keep up in the battle of the offenses. Rhoads said it was an injury that sidelined Jantz but was unable to go into further detail about it.

Richardson said he had no idea he would get a chance to play going into the game but made the most of his opportunity.

“Steele was the guy this week — we think he’s been playing really well,” Richardson said after the game. “I just had to stay ready for anything if he were to lose a helmet or get hurt.”

On Monday’s depth chart, Richardson is listed as a probable starter alongside Jantz with the infamous “or” separating their names.

“Pretty dang high, pretty good — especially this late in the season,” Rhoads said. “To be here basically two full years and really only get a mop-up role in one game prior to this, to probably feel like you weren’t really ever part of the true competition when it came to switching up and so forth.

“But not a surprise coming from the young man — he’s just a quality of a kid.”

Iowa State (6-5, 3-5) takes on West Virginia for the first time ever at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

OTHER STORYLINES

— Revival of Arceo: On Saturday, kicker Edwin Arceo came looked as reliable as ever.

The junior went 3-for-3 in field goals, drilling kicks from 47 yards out twice and 51 yards (tied his career high) in the 51-23 win.

After having missed a critical extra point and field goal each in the win against Iowa and loss to Texas Tech, Rhoads said he would entertain the idea of pulling Cole Netten’s redshirt to kick in place of Arceo. However, Rhoads never needed to do so with Arceo’s recent consistency.

“Going into every week, I go in just trying to focus on doing my job as best I can,” Arceo said. “I guess toward the middle; I was just trying to think a little too much.”

Arceo has not missed an extra point since the team’s 37-23 win against TCU on Oct. 6.

—Givens continues takeaway prowess: Safety Durrell Givens extended his national lead in takeaways to nine after recovering a fumble against Kansas last Saturday.

Givens, a redshirt senior, has six fumble recoveries — a national best — and three interceptions this season.