Chris Cuellar – Daily Staff Writer

LAWRENCE, Kan. — 4:00 of Third Quarter – Iowa State 23 – Kansas 27

This game got far too interesting to hit the field for photos just yet, especially considering Coach Paul Rhoads’ post game press conference will be outside behind the visiting locker rooms’ trailer.

Unsure if Kansas is napping or truly struggling with what Iowa State has presented, but the fact remains, ten minutes into the second half Iowa State was the only team to score.

The Cyclones took advantage of a quick drive helped out by a 39-yard reception by Marquis Hamilton on what was called defensive pass interference but looked like a New York City food truck handout. A well designed two point conversion to Jake “The Snake” Williams (nickname unapproved) from Arnaud put the Cyclones up three in a game that looked like was going the other way.

Reesing is still able to move the ball, but the scoreboard tells the final story, and the Cyclones are definitely in this football game.

Weird feeling hanging over Memorial Stadium as the lights went on finally on a cloudy day, but if they fell asleep from the weather or Reesing’s quick throws, it’s hard to say.

A great drive led by Reesing hit four different receivers including a flaring Dezmon Briscoe for a 23 yard touchdown. All the touchdown drives in this game have been under three minutes in this game, and with just under 20 minutes left, there is plenty of potential for this game to either turn into a shootout or become one sided.

Third Quarter — Kansas 20, Iowa State 15

12 play, 55 yard drive by Iowa State that ended in a field goal, shows that A-Rob is still churning against the Jayhawk defense, and that Paul Rhoads still has some faith in kicker Grant Mahoney. It’s just unfortunate that even though the drive took five minutes off the clock, and offensive coordinator Tom Herman did what he could to delay the arrival, Todd Reesing and the Kansas offense has to take the field. Three isn’t the same as seven, and the Cyclones are going to need a whole load of breaks to recapture the lead in the this one. Have to hope that the second halves from 2008 and 2009 change fortune for the road team.

Last in progress analysis-update from me, headed down to the field to play photographer for the rest of the afternoon. It’s still in the 30’s out there, and Todd Reesing is moving the ball against the Cyclones. Crowd never filled in, but the usual Iowa State traveling crew never arrived either.

We’ll see how it plays out. More on Cyclone football after the game.

Halftime — Kansas 20, Iowa State 12

Todd Reesing should at least have the courtesy to excuse himself from the table when he’s done with dinner. The Cyclone feast is getting palpable, with this match-up showing signs that it stayed too close for too long. Finishing the first half 22-of-28 for 233 yards, Reesing added 2 total touchdowns but an interception and two underthrown balls kept fans wondering.

Iowa State Positives: A-Rob looked great early, and while he’s slowed down, he might open up the passing game. The defense has at least delayed the inevitable, only letting the high powered Jayhawks sniff the endzone three times in the first half.

Kansas Positives: The running game will come with the passing game, as Kerry Meier’s 11 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown are evidence. The defense is stopping the ISU offense cold, and the kicker has hit some extra points!

Iowa State Negatives: The defense is finally caving in to the constant pressure from the KU offense, and the offense has gotten their feet stuck in the sand on the last three drives of the half. Kicking woes mean that the offense will need to do it by themselves, as even heralded punter Mike Brandtner is only averaging 32 yards per boot.

Kansas Negatives: How did they let the Cyclones run wild early? A couple poorly thrown balls from Reesing got the fans riled up, and shaky attendance at best isn’t a flowery display on homecoming.

The atmosphere, even with the lack of fans is fun for this one, as the cold hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Midwest crowd. Kansas takes an eight point lead into halftime, but the Cyclones are still definitely in this ball game. The almost 300 offensive yards the Jayhawks put up should be a concern, and Iowa State’s offense has to find their wheels to make it competitive.

Beautiful press box, laminated name decal for student journalists, a four-floor Student Union and a track around the football field, it’s definitely an alright place to be on a Saturday afternoon.

3:37 second quarter — Kansas 13, Iowa State 12

Rare mistake by Reesing who had been picking the Cyclones’ bones clean early on, throwing a pick to the invisible Jesse Smith in coverage.

The pick didn’t get the Cyclones anything, other than showing the crowd that Austen Arnaud is willing to scramble to make something happen. Unfortunately for the Ames native, something doesn’t always happen, being held down by the Jayhawk defense on plays that he tried to make with his feet. The offensive line has led the nation only giving up one sack all year, but don’t be surprised if Arnaud gets yanked down once or twice in this one, the defensive line is getting push with four.

Iowa State said they were going to consider blitzing more to get pressure on the quarterback this season, but with a mobile Todd Reesing and the nickel coverage, that has yet to materialize.

Jayhawk receivers are getting open in the middle of the field at will, and while the team is shooting themselves in the foot with penalties and drops, they’re moving the ball when they want to. Efficiency early in the game but lack of points for KU looks eerily like 2008.

A pass in the back of the endzone to Kerry Meier looked way too easy, with the undersized Cyclone secondary getting beat deep by a Caucasian receiver with long blonde hair.

Newsflash: The Jayhawks made an extra point!

Up 13-to-12, the Jayhawks just need to keep playing their style of football, as the Cyclone defense can’t do anything to shake Todd Reesing’s time or ability to find the open man.

Iowa State has played a great half of football offensively, and holding a KU team that averages 37 a game to 13 so far means the defense has made a few plays. The special teams cut the legs out from under the squad, but for playing so well, being down one isn’t a reward they deserve. You don’t always get what you deserve.

10:02 of Second Quarter – Iowa State 12 – Kansas 6

Another quick Iowa State drive dominated by the run with vital passes on third down, but this the Cyclones throw up points on the board. Familiar faces are getting it done early for ISU, as A-Rob is leaving no doubt that he’s healthy and able to compete in the Big 12.

The Cyclones got a huge first down on a fourth-and-seven from Arnaud to Jake Williams his roomie. That’s quick becoming the key hook-up in the passing game, especially considering Arnaud’s struggles with percentage.

Grant Mahoney spoiled the party yet again, missing his second PAT of the day. Interesting to see if P-Rhoads keeps going to the struggling junior, forcing him out of his funk. At some point, you wonder whether the coaching staff decides the kicker’s mental state isn’t as valuable as two points might be from the team’s ease of getting three yards.

Special teams are still leaving points off the board, and A-Rob is still throwing them up. Cyclone defense will need to bring it, holding Kansas on at least another drive to give ISU some breathing room.

15:00 Second Quarter — Iowa State 6, Kansas 6

Another surprisingly efficient Cyclone drive ended with the scoreboard unchanged, as three runs with A-Rob in the Wildcat formation netted 17 yards but a bad hold by Derec Schmidgall meant that recently maligned kicker Grant Mahoney didn’t even get a chance at a 26 yard field goal.

Iowa State special teams are leaving a lot on the field, and the offense has performed admirably, finally giving the defense a break. Kansas’ running back Toben Opurum isn’t making their job easy, as the 235 pound true freshman looks every bit the role of Big 12 starting running back. Hard to bring down, and quick to open up the middle of the field for the KU wideouts, Iowa State can’t afford to not get points out of solid drives built on the run.

Expect a tee’d off Paul Rhoads if A-Rob got rehab and the team runs for 200 yards again, and the Cyclones still find defeat. It looks plausible early on.

Jayhawks have had issues with their own snaps, and are looking to give the ball back to the Cyclones barring a 3rd and 13 out of their own endzone.

4:08 of the First Quarter — A surprisingly fleet first drive by the Cyclones took the ball 84 yards down the field, thanks to an Alexander Robinson catch and run on the same play he scored on against Army two weeks ago. A-Rob didn’t slow up, so Cyclone fans should be relieved at his current speed in the open field.

More concerning for followers of the cardinal and gold is Grant Mahoney’s mental state, and the efficiency of the KU offense.

Mahoney’s wide right PAT means that the Cyclones have missed their last two attempts, and for a shaken kicker that put the blame on himself after the Kansas State loss, he needed this one for confidence sake. In Mahoney’s favor, the Cyclones caught a break when Jayhawk kicker Jacob Branstetter missed his own PAT following the Kansas touchdown drive.

The nickel defense held up enough for Iowa State on Kansas’ first drive, but the second drive was methodical, with Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier opening up the defense with middle of the field catches.

The wind outside the stadium looks like it is blowing hard, but with Kivisto Field being essentially down in a bowled-in valley, the field winds may be more swirling than blowing straight out, affecting kickers more than quarterbacks. Ressing’s 7-of-8 for 87 yards will have to be the end of the Jayhawk’s efficiency against the Cyclone defense, or the nickel package will get run ragged all game.