AMES — Iowa State safety Kamari Cotton-Moya watched almost all of his team’s season-opening loss last Saturday from the locker room.
He didn’t appreciate the view, but made the most of it.
“Cheered them on still,” said Cotton-Moya, who was ejected that game after being whistled for targeting. “It hurt, but I snapped and cleared.”
Saturday, he cleared out Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the score 28-28 with eight minutes left.
Waters had a full head of steam.
Cotton-Moya stopped him in his tracks.
“We were trying to keep the lead and stay in the game,” said Cotton-Moya, who totaled seven tackles. “Play hard and play fast — as fast as we can.”
HELLO, WATERS: Iowa State defensive end Cory Morrissey recorded his first full sack of the season Saturday — and first ever in real time against Waters.
What did he say to Waters as they both got up?
“I said, ‘Hello,’” Morrissey, said smiling.
WEST’S WORLD: Jarvis West’s 82-yard punt return for touchdown was ISU’s longest such play since James McMillion rambled 91 yards in an Oct. 24, 1992 loss at Oklahoma State. West became the fourth Cyclone to return both a punt and pickoff for a touchdown in a career, joining Tom Vaughn, Don Ferguson and Dick Howard. He is also the first player in FBS or FCS to record touchdowns passing, receiving and on a punt return since Randall Cobb did it for Kentucky on Sept. 11, 2010.
West racked up 178 all-purpose yards, including eight catches for 75 yards, but stressed someone else could make such plays at any time, too.
“You saw (Allen) Lazard today,” said West, who hit Lazard for a 29-yard touchdown on a reverse pass. “We have Dondre Daley. We have a lot of people.”
SIDELINE SNAFU: An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called on Anthony Lazard — who wasn’t in the game — fueled K-State touchdown drive that ended the first half. Lazard, a walk-on linebacker and brother of Allen Lazard, was summarily sent to the locker room by Rhoads. he did not return to the field after halftime.
“Unbelievably poor judgment,” Rhoads said.
SNYDER SINGS PRAISES: Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said his team had “a letdown” Saturday, but noted the Cyclones had lots to do with it. “I take my hat off to them,” Snyder said. “I’m a Paul Rhoads fan and I think he knows how to motivate young guys. He did that today. They competed and didn’t give up at any time.”
SAY WHAT?: K-State running back Charles Jones was impressed with the noise Cyclone fans generated within Jack Trice Stadium. “It was a lot different,” Jones said of the environment. “I’m used to it being quiet at K-State Stadium. It was difficult because it was loud.”
BIG JAKE: Rhoads said he’d reserve judgment on right tackle Jake Campos’s debut that was necessitated by Jacob Gannon abruptly quitting the team. In general terms, though, he’s been impressed by Campos’s development. “High ceiling on Jake,” Rhoads said.
