Matt Campbell and the Cyclones are now 3-5 on the 2022-23 season and are continuing to look for a win in a competitive Big 12 conference.

Their next opportunity for a win will be against the West Virginia Mountaineers, who are currently second to last in the Big 12 standings. The team in last? The Iowa State Cyclones.

The Mountaineers only have one Big 12 win, a 43-40 finish over Baylor.

In his post-game press conference, Campbell used the term “inconsistent” to describe how the Cyclones have performed.

Additionally, Campbell discussed the importance of having quarterback Hunter Dekkers and having him run the ball, as many quarterbacks in college football have been getting injured this season.

“You always have to make educated decisions with the amount that you’re going to run a quarterback,” Campbell said. “I think you’re always trying to do what’s best for the team when you think about running a quarterback at times.”

Dekkers ran for 31 yards against Oklahoma, making it his season high.

While Dekkers has made mistakes throughout the eight games, Campbell said while the plays are critical, you learn from them.

“I love how he owns, you know, maybe some of the areas that have been shortcomings … that’s part of the journey,” Campbell said

Campbell has addressed throughout the season how impressed he’s been with his young team, and he pointed out the improvements from the defensive and cornerback rooms.

“I think that room [cornerback] has probably made the greatest stride,” Campbell said. “I think it’s one of the strengths of our team right now in the way they play with consistency.”

As for the defensive line, Campbell said for the number of guys currently playing, he’s seen a lot of great improvement.

“Playing meaningful football” has been a motto that Campbell has lived by for some seasons. While the season isn’t where the Cyclones want it to be, Campbell said that meaning doesn’t change.

“I think this team still got a ton to play for…they haven’t let you down in terms of attitude and effort,” Campbell said.

As long as there are games on the schedule, Campbell said there is still time to chase goals and continue to grow.

“They know how close they are to, man, really flipping this thing around,” Campbell said.

The starting point of flipping things around is to play the full 60 minutes and do what needs to be done to win the game.

In the Iowa State run game, Campbell said his team needs to create more consistency and find ways to make the game flow in ways that will generate a win.

“The ability to sustain and play the way that we want to play … I think we’re consistently trying to get ourselves in that rhythm,” Campbell said.

As for a weekly injury update, Campbell said Colby Reeder should be back against West Virginia. Additionally, Campbell said he feels Jirehl Brock and Cartevious Norton are close to, if not at, full strength. Malik Verdon will be out for the rest of the season after having surgery.