Iowa State head coach Dan McCarney on Saturday's scrimmage
ISU Media Relations
Press Release
"It was a real productive day, we got a lot done. We had almost a 90-play scrimmage, I think over 100 plays if you count the punting and kicking situations. No major injuries, and that's big after we had a couple days of injuries. We're 11 days into camp. Everybody's sore, I think 99 of the 105 players scrimmaged this morning. So we're getting a lot done. We're making progress.
Most of the scrimmage was 1s vs. 1s, 2s vs. 2s, 3s vs. 3s. I always start a scrimmage 1s vs. 2s to give the 1s some confidence. The rest of the scrimmage was best against best and we got a lot done.
I continue to be impressed with the newcomers. I said earlier I thought six to 10 newcomers would play. I still think that is accurate although we still have another week of camp before we make final decisions.
The two (true freshman) defensive linemen, Nate Frere and Rashawn Parker are really doing a lot of good things. (True freshman linebacker) Fred Garrin continues to impress us and he will definitely play. (True freshman running back) Josh Johnson continues to impress all of us. There is no doubt he'll play this year. He really had a great day today.
(True freshman) Austin Arnaud is one of the best freshman quarterbacks I've been around. Whether we play him this year or not, I don't know because he is not going to beat out Bret Meyer. But we have to make a decision as time goes on here because he is so talented. Because he was an early commitment and because he was from Ames, Iowa there were not a lot of stars by his name. That is one of the best freshman quarterbacks I've been around in college football. He is really special. Iowa State fans are going to be real lucky to have Bret Meyer as quarterback for two years and Austen Arnaud for four years. We are rotating (Arnaud) and (senior Kyle) Van Winkle with the 2s and the 3s, trying to find out if (Arnaud) could be the No. 2 quarterback. I don't want to blow a year (of Arnaud's eligibility) in a relief role. If something happens to Bret Meyer, (Arnaud) will definitely be playing. But if Bret is healthy throughout the year, you hate to take a potential four-year starter and put him out there to take a few snaps each week.
(Junior linebacker Alvin) Bowen had a big interception for a touchdown (today) in the two-minute drill, outstanding play. (Redshirt freshman punter) Michael Brandtner continues to impress me. You know he hasn't been out there under the lights, but we continue to try to put pressure on him, heat him up, block the kick. You know we have a new snapper in (junior college transfer Matt) Purvis and a new punter in Brandtner and those guys have really answered the call.
We really tried to establish the running game today. We ran the ball more than we threw it. We knew that going into it. We talked about how we already have the tools to throw and catch, but we wanted to try and get our running game going. I'm anxious to watch the tape.
ON (TRUE FRESHMAN RUNNING BACK) JOSH JOHNSON
"He has a low center of gravity, he runs through tackles and is real good on ball security, real coachable and he has the juice you are looking for at running back. I was just really impressed with (Johnson) and (true freshman running back) Mitchell Moore, both. (True freshman running back) Alexander Robinson didn't scrimmage today, he'll be back next week. The other two have been very impressive but Josh was really the guy that made a move today.
"We have some real competition in the offensive line and guys like (sophomore Tom) Schmeling, (Junior Lee) Tibbs, (Redshirt freshman Reggie) Stephens are really improving and putting some heat on. We really have to sit down and grade the tape and see if there will be any two-deep changes."
"There was give and take today. There were some good, positive things there with our defense. The linebackers all can run as you know. The secondary is really coming on, even with James out right now, those guys are doing some good things. When you get into situations, you get a real measure. We were out in on the field, we went short yardage, then we went goal line and we went redzone, we went four-minute and two-minute drill, we went overtime. This was not just for the players but for the coaches too. To be at our best at making calls within a scrimmage situation.
(Former wide receiver and senior strong safety) Ryan Baum went with the 2s today. You know he is only in his third day in the secondary. He has instinct, awareness and toughness. I kept (
ISU secondary coach) Chris Ash deep in the secondary to keep an eye on him so we could remind him of coverages and responsibilities. He'll play. I'm almost positive that is a permanent move, him in the secondary."
QUOTES FROM RYAN BAUM ABOUT SWITCHING FROM WIDE RECEIVER TO STRONG SAFETY:
"I haven't played defense since high school. It has taken me a while to pick up the base stuff, but once you do that it is a simple defense and to know what you are doing and get to the right spot. It has been a lot easier to pick up than I thought it would be.
(The switch) was Mac's (
ISU head coach Dan McCarney's) idea. After a morning practice I was told about three minutes before the afternoon practice that I was being switched over. I didn't have a problem with it. I had thought about it the last few years.
The coaches here make it a lot easier to pick things us and make things as simple as possible. On defense you have to trust the other 10 men on the field and know where you have to be. I'm at strong safety right now. I was chasing guys around the field trying to tackle them like I did in high school."
Iowa State head coach Dan McCarney on Saturday's scrimmage 
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