Smith: Cyclone defense answers the call

**IanSmith** · 09-03-2010, 08:57 AM

Fanatics,

Here's a feature I wrote about Jake Knott and the Iowa State defense. It was the seventh time the Cyclones have held an opponent to 14 points or less in their last 12 games.

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/football/cyclones-defense-answers-the-call

**cygrads** · 09-03-2010, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by IanSmith

Fanatics,

Here's a feature I wrote about Jake Knott and the Iowa State defense. It was the seventh time the Cyclones have held an opponent to 14 points or less in their last 12 games.

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/football/cyclones-defense-answers-the-call

Nice write-up and good stat (bold) - I can't wait for this defense to get more experience because they are solid already.

**Wesley** · 09-03-2010, 09:09 AM

The tackling must be much better. However Wegher and Shonn Green are gone and that will help.

**clonomaniac** · 09-03-2010, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by cygrads

Nice write-up and good stat (bold) - I can't wait for this defense to get more experience because they are solid already.

The defense is good against the run game. NOT so much against the pass game though. The pass defense HAS TO improve. If Grady connected with his receiver with better throws, NIU wins this game. Our pass defense wasn't that good AT ALL.

**bawbie** · 09-03-2010, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by clonomaniac

The defense is good against the run game. NOT so much against the pass game though. The pass defense HAS TO improve. If Grady connected with his receiver with better throws, NIU wins this game. Our pass defense wasn't that good AT ALL.

Good grief. They gave up 93 yards and had 3 INTs. The pass defense was fine.

The receivers were open down the field because they were taking away the short stuff because they knew Grady couldn't throw a deep ball.

That, and Sims will be back next week.

**Clonefan94** · 09-03-2010, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by clonomaniac

The defense is good against the run game. NOT so much against the pass game though. The pass defense HAS TO improve. If Grady connected with his receiver with better throws, NIU wins this game. Our pass defense wasn't that good AT ALL.

In truth though, that was our defensive scheme. The announcers on TV made mention of it more than once. Our safeties were way up and we were crowding the line. We knew they had a great running game and a mediocre passing game. Make them beat you in the air, because it's doubtful they'll be able to.

the one thing that disappointed me still though was our pass rush. We've got to find a way to get more pressure.

**clonomaniac** · 09-03-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Clonefan94

In truth though, that was our defensive scheme. The announcers on TV made mention of it more than once. Our safeties were way up and we were crowding the line. We knew they had a great running game and a mediocre passing game. Make them beat you in the air, because it's doubtful they'll be able to.

the one thing that disappointed me still though was our pass rush. We've got to find a way to get more pressure.

I hope that was the case. Against Iowa, We better have a good pass defense just as much as a good run defense. Iowa will try to hurt us both ways.

**IanSmith** · 09-03-2010, 09:20 AM

Guys,

It looked like ISU was running its base defense most of the time last night. Do you think Wally was saving different looks and blitz packages for Iowa? I do.

**mj4cy** · 09-03-2010, 09:22 AM

I think Wally was trying to keep it conservative. But at the same time, probably not trying to overwhelm the newer players with a ton of different looks/packages. They will have to grow up a lot in the next 9 days.

**Clonefan94** · 09-03-2010, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by IanSmith

Guys,

It looked like ISU was running its base defense most of the time last night. Do you think Wally was saving different looks and blitz packages for Iowa? I do.

I'm not trying to be a downer here, but I've heard this excuse every year in the 30+ years I've been a fan of this team. In a few cases, it was true, but most cases it was ISU doing what they could with what they have. ISU is going to have to find a way to defend a more balanced attack. Where I don't find Stanzi to be the world beater that the Hawkeye faithful think he is, he's definitely going to be better than we saw last night. Most importantly, as I said in my previous post, ISU is going to have to find a way to get pressure on opponents QBs. As well as playing a more disciplined game. Dumb mistakes cost the cyclones quite a few points last night.

All in all though, I was actually impressed with what I saw last night. You can always look at the what ifs and say the outcome could have been a lot different. Hell, it's been the story of my life as a fan of this team. Bottom line is, ISU was in control of the game from the first posession. A few mistakes got them out of their rhythm, but when it counted, they put their nose to the grindstone and took control back. IMO, this is one of the best season openers I've seen ISU play in quite some time. Things were clicking and players were doing their jobs.

**JCloned** · 09-03-2010, 09:50 AM

I don't think we were holding things back but when you have a guy assigned to shadow the quarterback, you typically don't rush more than your front four so any pressure must come from those guys alone not blitzes. Now I agree we have to reduce the qb's time to throw, but I suspect that will continue to be an issue we have to deal with this year, similar to last year.

Our defense wasn't perfect, but they showed signs of being a talented group who can have a good enough year to keep us in ballgames and allow the offense to win for us. I am more concerned about our running game, than I am anything else right now. There were way to many runs of little to no yards. While NIU may have a good defensive line, its not like we are going to find the dlines we face any easier, likely tougher in most of the games we play.

**ChrisMWilliams** · 09-03-2010, 09:53 AM

Great writing Ian.

**drednot57** · 09-03-2010, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Clonefan94

In truth though, that was our defensive scheme. The announcers on TV made mention of it more than once. Our safeties were way up and we were crowding the line. We knew they had a great running game and a mediocre passing game. Make them beat you in the air, because it's doubtful they'll be able to.

the one thing that disappointed me still though was our pass rush. We've got to find a way to get more pressure.

I thought the the D-line got some pressure in forcing the NIU QB to make hurried throws which led to mistakes, three of which ended up as INTs. Yes, I would love to see more than one sack per game, but if you can force the opposing QB into mistakes, then the D-line is doing its primary job IMO.

**trajanJ** · 09-03-2010, 10:01 AM

Sims will help the pass defense a lot. Northern Illinois QB was so terrible it's really hard to judge the defense. Next week will be a tough test, but if ISU can force Iowa to throw they'll have a chance. I actually think this isn't a bad match-up for ISU. The cyclones struggle more with good passing teams and Iowa is better at running the ball. If the D-line can get it done next week look for a big upset.

**drednot57** · 09-03-2010, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Clonefan94

I'm not trying to be a downer here, but I've heard this excuse every year in the 30+ years I've been a fan of this team. In a few cases, it was true, but most cases it was ISU doing what they could with what they have. ISU is going to have to find a way to defend a more balanced attack. Where I don't find Stanzi to be the world beater that the Hawkeye faithful think he is, he's definitely going to be better than we saw last night. Most importantly, as I said in my previous post, ISU is going to have to find a way to get pressure on opponents QBs. As well as playing a more disciplined game. Dumb mistakes cost the cyclones quite a few points last night.

All in all though, I was actually impressed with what I saw last night. You can always look at the what ifs and say the outcome could have been a lot different. Hell, it's been the story of my life as a fan of this team. Bottom line is, ISU was in control of the game from the first posession. A few mistakes got them out of their rhythm, but when it counted, they put their nose to the grindstone and took control back. IMO, this is one of the best season openers I've seen ISU play in quite some time. Things were clicking and players were doing their jobs.

+1