The ISU rushing attack averaged 3.04 yards per carry, not including sacks, during the team’s season-opening victory against Northern Iowa on Saturday night. 

ISU offensive coordinator Mark Magino was impressed with redshirt sophomore Tyler Brown’s play but added “We’ll need those other guys to play too and help out carry the load.”

Magino was asked if he thinks the ground game would need to improve to beat the Hawkeyes on Sept. 12. 

He doesn’t necessarily think so. 

“Whatever it takes to the win the game,” Mangino said. “We’re not picky, we’ll [take] either. Maybe a little bit of both.”

The passing game did impress on the victory, averaging 11.1 yards per completion and scoring two touchdowns. If the running game doesn’t improve, the game through the air could carry the offense. 

“I don’t know,” Mangino said. “What if we pass for 400 to 500 yards?”