Iowa State's Matt Campbell gives injury update for Jirehl Brock ahead of Texas matchup
AMES — Iowa State football started the 2022 season strong with three straight wins, including a victory against in-state rival Iowa in September. But the Cyclones have struggled in the weeks since, falling to Baylor, Kansas and Kansas State and dropping to 0-3 in conference play.
Scoring has become a problem. The Cyclones' struggling offense was exposed on Saturday when ISU’s only points came off the foot of true freshman kicker Jace Gilbert. Iowa State’s offense remains at the bottom of the Big 12.
Here’s the bright spot: The Cyclones still have the best defense in the conference.
But Texas will present its own challenges this weekend. The Longhorns have the fourth-best offense and third-best defense in the Big 12. They hold opponents to 17.8 points per game while scoring 38.8 points per game on average.
Texas’ Bijan Robinson is the No. 2 running back in the conference with 645 yards, and he’s first with 10 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Hudson Card has struggled, throwing just six touchdowns and a little over 900 yards. But despite Card’s limitations, Texas still possesses two of the Big 12’s top receiving options. Ja’Tavion Sanders and Xavier Worthy combined for 643 yards and nine touchdowns.
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell addressed how difficult facing some of those players will be during his Tuesday press conference.
More:Peterson: Iowa State football fans wonder about the offense and Matt Campbell's postgame comment
Facing a tough Longhorns offense
Campbell is aware of all those statistics listed above, and how this game is already in Texas’ favor with the way some of its offensive weapons have performed. He also acknowledged that this might be the toughest Longhorns team the Cyclones have faced during his tenure.
“We’ve played a lot of good Texas teams since we’ve been here and I would say this is the best we’ve played,” Campbell said. “What they’ve done at the tight end position (Sanders), I would say maybe one of the best tight ends that’s playing right now at least in the Big 12. You look at what the offensive line has done.
“They’ve gotten to where they want to be in terms of having those playmakers and putting this offense to where it wants to be, and it is a challenge. We’re not going to shy away from it.”
Iowa State’s defense has consistently stepped up and kept ISU in games. The Cyclones will need another strong performance from the defense come Saturday.
More:Iowa State football mailbag: What's wrong with the Cyclone offense?
Speaking of defense
The Cyclones defense has gotten a big boost from Anthony Johnson Jr. as of late, and there is one play from the Kansas State game that is representative of what Iowa State needs from its defense right now.
Johnson was responsible for a forced fumble just shy of the end zone – which Colby Reeder recovered – that kept Iowa State in the game. It was a huge momentum-changer and did not go unnoticed by Campbell.
“That’s what we want our program to be about,” Campbell said. “And it’s not talent. It’s elite effort, it’s elite consistency, it’s playing the same way all the time.”
More:Peterson: Let's face it, Iowa State suddenly finding a Big 12-worth offense in isn't happening
Injury update
The biggest question mark for Iowa State is at the running back position. Jirehl Brock was unable to play a full game against Kansas State and true freshman Cartevious Norton continues to struggle with injury issues.
Here is Campbell’s full Tuesday statement on Brock and Norton, as well as Easton Dean and Colby Reeder.
“I think we’ll know more today. You know the big names – Brock, Norton – I think both guys still were not 100% obviously Sunday. Where those guys will be, not sure but I think today’s practice will tell us a lot. Easton Dean, same boat. Easton was very limited last week and then Reeder, very much similar in the same boat. Now, Reeder was a lot better on Sunday than maybe what we thought it was gonna be, so I think we’re hopeful in terms of where he’s at now and going forward.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Matt Campbell gives update on Jirehl Brock ahead of Iowa State-Texas
