ISU football stock report
Senior tight end E.J. Bibbs runs after the reception. Bibbs has caught a pass in the past 16 consecutive games, which ties an ISU record. The Cyclones fell to the Bears with a final score of 49-28.
October 10, 2014
Take a look at whose stock is rising and falling as we progress through the season.
Offense
Stock up:
E.J. Bibbs— After a slow start to the season that may have been hampered by a knee procedure before the season started, Bibbs saw the production coaches hoped to see against Oklahoma State. His three touchdown grabs this season have all been athletic catches, two of them one-handed. If Bibbs starts to see more passes thrown his way, expect to see the offense improve with him.
Stock down:
Passing game — Although the passing game has been the strength of the Iowa State offense as the run game struggles, Sam Richardson’s accuracy has dipped slightly in his last few games and receivers are dropping passes. It’s worth noting the pass defenses the Cyclones have faced are no slouches, but overthrown balls and dropped passes add up after a while.
Defense
Stock up:
Quarterback pressure — The defensive line was the biggest concern for the Cyclones heading into the season, but with seven sacks in their last three games and pressure that helped cause four interceptions by the secondary, the line is becoming one of the most important parts of an improving defense.
Stock down:
Giving up first downs — The Cyclones have given up 57 first downs in their last two games against admittedly good offenses, but the longer and farther the defense has to go, the more tired they will be.
Special Teams
Stock up:
Kicking and punting — Cole Netten made two more field goals against Oklahoma State to improve to 4-for-4 on the season, while punter Colin Downing has recorded a punt of at least 50 yards in 4-of-5 games including a 64-yarder against Baylor.
Stock down:
Kickoff teams — Iowa State’s special teams units have been solid all season, but both the kickoff and kickoff return teams had major blunders against Oklahoma State that led to 14 points for the Cowboys. The kickoff return team let a ball slip past the returners and was recovered by the Cowboys, which led to a touchdown before letting a kickoff be returned for a touchdown a few plays later.
