8-15-07 scrimmage

**CyCloned** · 08-15-2007, 09:24 PM

For ISU web site:

Sounds like Bass is doing a lot of damage for a 3rd string running back.

AMES, Iowa -- Saying everyone was in the mix and that no one is safe as a No. 1 or No. 2 in the two deep, Iowa State head football coach Gene Chizik worked his Cyclone football team overtime in Wednesday's scrimmage, literally. Chizik said it was a productive practice with officials present to work as the Cyclones ran through some overtime scenarios.

“(Overtime) is something that doesn’t come up often but you want your team to have a comfort level with it going into the extra period,” Chizik said. “Right now everyone is still both a No. 1 and a No. 2. We are running guys in and out to judge them in certain situations. Ultimately, you really don’t know what you have until game day. You may find out you’re unproductive with your starter because he isn’t as good in game situations.”

Chizik hinted that veteran tailback Jason Scales is the leader at that position after three scrimmages.

“If I had to make a decision today, Jason would be our starter in part because of his experience,” Chizik said. “But I don’t have to make that decision today.”

Chizik said the team has not yet started specific preparations for the 7 p.m. Aug. 30 season opener against Kent State in Ames.

“We are not at that point yet,” Chizik said. “We have got a long way to go. I like the effort but we are still worried about how we are doing the things we need to learn and do. Our focus is inward.”

Iowa State defensive tackle Bryce Braaksma said nothing is set.

“The coaches are not going to make any final decisions this week,” Braaksma said. “We have a lot of competition and need to get guys ready to step up if somebody goes down.”

Braaksma said offensive coordinator Robert McFarland is keeping the defense on its toes.

“(McFarland) has a big playbook and we saw it all today, with deep passes, screens and reverses,” Braaksma said. “He really mixes it up.”

Wide receiver R. J. Sumrall said no one is safe.

“It’s kind of fun, proving yourself all over again, to your teammates, your coaches and then the fans and opponents,” Sumrall said. “The competition is strong. Everybody is trying to get on the field and no one knows what will happen. On offense today, we did everything, whatever the defense would give us."

The Cyclones will practice twice on Thursday.

Highlights

On the first series for the first-team offense, QB Bret Meyer connected with WR Todd Blythe for an 18-yard gain and RB Jason Harris carried the ball twice for 17 yards.
On the second-team offense’s first possession, RB J.J. Bass carried the ball five times for 45 yards and caught one pass for 20 yards before scoring a TD on a tough five-yard run.
On the first-team defense’s second possession, LB Alvin Bowen made a tackle for a loss and LB Jon Banks recovered a fumble. DE Chase Hurtig also recovered a fumble later on in the scrimmage.
On the first-team offense’s third possession, Bass scored his second TD of the scrimmage on a 28-yard run.
In other action, QB Philip Bates carried the ball five times for 27 yards on an offensive possession.
Overtime

Coach Chizik simulated two overtime sessions, sending captains out to copy game-like overtime situations.
Meyer hit TE Ben Barkema for a 12-yard gain and Bass carried the ball one time for five yards before K Bret Culbertson drilled a 31-yard field goal.
On the ensuing possession, Harris carried the ball twice for 13 yards, WR Milan Moses caught a 10-yard pass before K Josh Griebahn evened the score with a 29-yard field goal.
WR Euseph Messiah made a leaping catch in the next possession to put the offense inside the 10, before Bass scored on a one-yard plunge. Bass then broke three tackles to score on a nifty two-point conversion run.
RB Rickey Thompson scored on a five-yard run, but the defense stopped the ensuing two-point conversion.

**Wesley** · 08-15-2007, 09:36 PM

We are already experts at overtime. Just ask Dan.

**ripvdub** · 08-15-2007, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

We are already experts at overtime. Just ask Dan.

Always defer in overtime...right?!?!

**sodakjoe** · 08-15-2007, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by ripvdub

Always defer in overtime...right?!?!

I think you need to WIN A TOSS before you can defer...something that we never seemed to do

**darts180** · 08-15-2007, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by sodakjoe

I think you need to WIN A TOSS before you can defer...something that we never seemed to do

Except that one time.

I think that it would have been OK, just a mistake and would have gone away pretty quickly, except the coach admitted to not understanding the strategy of winning the coin flip.

I'm going to miss Dan.

I think the only people that may miss Dan more are the fine people who make Jack Daniels. i guess I should say THEY will miss me having Dan around. I should have bought stock

.

**clonerules** · 08-15-2007, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by darts180

Except that one time.

I think that it would have been OK, just a mistake and would have gone away pretty quickly, except the coach admitted to not understanding the strategy of winning the coin flip.

I'm going to miss Dan.

I think the only people that may miss Dan more are the fine people who make Jack Daniels. i guess I should say THEY will miss me having Dan around. I should have bought stock

.

ku game in 05. i was there, and boy did i get ******!

**9seven** · 08-15-2007, 10:54 PM

I would like to know who is fumbling... It is great the D recovers, but who else is supposed to ya know??? I'm just curious if its Harris still having trouble or just who it would be. I know these things are supposed to be positive but dang they leave a lot of questions.

**CLONE2THEBONE** · 08-15-2007, 10:56 PM

Wasn't the first time it happened against Wyoming??

**jay moe** · 08-15-2007, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by CLONE2THEBONE

Wasn't the first time it happened against Wyoming??

You are correct, we gave away a big lead and got beat in overtime. Sound familiar? I believe Troy Davis had a huge game.

**Skyh13** · 08-16-2007, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by clonerules

ku game in 05. i was there, and boy did i get ******!

As soon as it went to overtime, I said "Game's over, we're done." I then went on to say that we were going to sputter on offense, and then miss a field goal to lose.

It made it worse cause I was right...

**keepngoal** · 08-16-2007, 08:25 AM

I read this three times... and each time i got goosebumps:

Braaksma said offensive coordinator Robert McFarland is keeping the defense on its toes.

“(McFarland) has a big playbook and we saw it all today, with deep passes, screens and reverses,” Braaksma said. “He really mixes it up.”

Wide receiver R. J. Sumrall said no one is safe.

“It’s kind of fun, proving yourself all over again, to your teammates, your coaches and then the fans and opponents,” Sumrall said. “The competition is strong. Everybody is trying to get on the field and no one knows what will happen. On offense today, we did everything, whatever the defense would give us."

-keep.

**wartknight** · 08-16-2007, 11:19 AM

I remember sitting at that Wyoming game and we won the toss and Mac chose what endzone we were going to play in. I couldn't believe it. I was a sophomore in HS and was screaming at the top of my lungs to PLAY DEFENSE FIRST!