The ISU offense got a lot of reps in against Texas on Saturday.

By the end of the 24-0 rout of the Longhorns, Iowa State ran 92 total plays — almost 20 more than the Big 12 conference average — and incurred four offensive penalties in the game.

And when the team took the practice field Monday, players could definitely feel it.

“I think when you play 96 snaps as an offense on Saturday, you are going to be a little tired on Monday,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “Pair that with the time change — I don’t know about you, but I was tired Monday. I didn’t play 96 snaps. It felt like I did.”

Rhoads said he has adjusted to the unusually high play count in practice too, easing up on the players when he felt he needed to. By Tuesday, though, he said the team was essentially back to normal.

And while the Cyclones work back to full strength ahead of Saturday’s game against No. 14 Oklahoma, the team’s momentum continues to build.

“It built throughout the week,” Rhoads said. “I thought we started a little sluggish, but every day we’ve gotten better, and I think tonight has been pretty sharp.”

Warren closing in on benchmark

Redshirt freshman Mike Warren is inching toward a new benchmark. Heading into the Oklahoma game this weekend, Warren sits just 46 yards away from eclipsing 1,000 total rushing yards on the season, looking to become the first Cyclone since 2009 to get there.

“[There are] no guarantees on that yet,” Rhoads said. “We’re working to stay healthy and to get that done.”

Rhoads added to what Warren’s performance means for the offense as a whole.

“Getting to that spot generally means that you’re running the ball with some efficiency,” Rhoads said. “We certainly have since the third game of the season. I think everybody has an eye on it, and it is important to us.”

Allen Lazard nearly healthy

Before the Baylor game Oct. 24, Allen Lazard suffered a shoulder injury in practice.

The injury sidelined Lazard against the Bears, but he was able to make his return the next week against Texas.

While he clearly wasn’t quite at full strength against the Longhorns, both Rhoads and Lazard feel confident that he will be ready to go against the Sooners.

“We’re healthy [other than] the guys that I told you Monday aren’t going to go,” Rhoads said. “Allen’s practiced all week.”

Offensive guard Daniel Burton and defensive end Pierre Aka will be out against the Sooners. 

When asked about his progress with his shoulder Wednesday, Lazard waved off the question. He’s not focused on his injury.

“Like I said before, Mitchell Meyers has cancer,” Lazard said. “I’ll be fine.”

Meyers last saw action for the Cyclones last season, but had to take a leave of absence after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last year.

And even though he isn’t currently with the team, Lazard said he still finds inspiration from Meyers while he recovers.

“I’ve drawn a lot [from Meyers],” Lazard said. “Even before my injury. And not even with football, just in life in general. Whether I’m going through a hard time, I just know that there’s someone else out there that’s struggling a lot harder than me. With the position that I’m in, I’ve been blessed a lot in life.”