Charles Fischer Administrator No. 1 Share Posted December 26, 2020 From our great member of this forum, Notalot... Charles ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Know your enemy is a mantra of both war and sports. Survival in conflict whether on the football field or the battlefield is reliant on out maneuvering the opponent. As the Ducks begin the ramp up of a game preparation for the Iowa State Cyclones the coaches and players are studying the team, its schemes, personnel, and tendencies. As fans it will serve us well to learn something about Iowa State football. Given that the team is from conference outside of the PAC-12, is from a midwestern state and it is not one of the darlings of the powerful sports media we have much to learn about. The Iowa State Cyclones are the football team at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The team is coached by Matt Campbell. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference and are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the NCAA. The Cyclones went 8-1 in the Big 12 standings, and 8-3 overall in the 2020 Season winning the conference title. Of the three total losses over the 11-game season, two of the losses came at the hands of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State with a combined shortfall of 8 points. ISU is a good and powerful football team with balance in all facets of the game, and with few weaknesses. The ISU Offense averaged 32.8 points per game while the Defense held its opponents to a paltry and impressive 21.8 ppg. #8 – Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Junior. At 6’ 3” and a rangy 207 lbs. Hutchinson led the team with 60 receptions on the season, averaging 12.7 yards per catch. #88 – Charlie Kolar, TE, R-Junior. Standing 6’6” and 257 lbs. Kolar has prototypical size for a Tight End. On the season he booked 39 catches for 538 yards averaging 13.79 ypc. On the defensive side of the ball the Cyclones are stacked with power and speed. #23 – Mike Rose, LB, Junior, 6’4” and 245 lbs. Rose registered 90 tackles in leading the team for tackles while recording 10 TFL. #3 – JaQuan Bailey, DE, R-Senior, 6’2” and 261 lbs. is a tackling machine giving QB’s fits with 13 TFL while showing relentless push while rushing. You may be wondering if ISU has a star Running Back? The answer is a resounding “yes” in Breece Hall. Hall is a powerful threat running, blocking and out of the backfield. #28 – Breece Hall, RB, Sophomore, 6’1” and 215 lbs. Hall gained nearly 1500 yards averaging almost 6 yards per carry. He is a consistent, tackle breaking running threat who seldom settles for lost yards. So, who is the leader of the pack? Who is the IQ of the team on the field and how good is he? ISU is led by #15 Quarterback Brock Purdy who with a QB Rating of 143.5 threw for 2594 yards with 18 TDs and 9 interceptions. Purdy ran for 343 yards with 4 scores. Though more prolific as a passer, Purdy is a dual threat. The Ducks are stacked with talent, but young. Oregon played a short season, and with the rest between the PAC-12 Championship game and the Fiesta Bowl, the team should be rested and eager to play. With the thrill of the Bowl game and a last time to take the field this season, expect the Ducks to be prepared and emotionally jacked up to face the Cyclones. On the other hand, ISU has fought its way to the Fiesta and the big stage of a national audience in prime viewing time on January 2nd. Now that we know more about who we are going to play let us see how our Beloved Ducks perform. What can you add in this discussion of the enemy? Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 2 Share Posted December 26, 2020 This Iowa State team is going to be a challenge, this post should make that clear. The Ducks are going to have to play their best game of the year, on both sides, to win this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drake Moderator No. 3 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Shough will need to relax and compete. He needs to play like he knows how and not seem so worried about making a mistake. Trust the receivers to make some plays and know what to do if pressured. This will be a tough game, but we are far from being overmatched. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Sousa No. 4 Share Posted December 27, 2020 IMHO, which isn't worth a lot, this is Oregon's game to lose. If MC lets both Moorhead and Avalos do their jobs the way they want to do it, the Ducks will be very hard to beat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santa Rosa Duck No. 5 Share Posted December 27, 2020 #28 Breece Hall with his size and abilities already has me shaking. Sounds too much like Jermar Jefferson. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notalot No. 6 Share Posted December 29, 2020 On 12/27/2020 at 12:08 PM, Santa Rosa Duck said: #28 Breece Hall with his size and abilities already has me shaking. Sounds too much like Jermar Jefferson. With JJ deferring for The League. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
