Iowa State Football Report Card vs. Oklahoma State

This one was simply a disappointment as the game wore on. Iowa State couldn’t take advantage of a weak pass defense, both quarterbacks showed their immaturity, and the defense gave up over 600 yards despite still making key stops and giving the offense a chance.

Oct 20, 2012; Stillwater OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys tight end Justin Horton (14) carries the ball during the first quarter Iowa State Cyclones linebacker A.J. Klein (47) and Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Jacques Washington (10) at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Offense: D

After a nine play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open up the game, the offense was nothing short of a disappointment. The running game was never established. The majority of the 101 rushing yards was picked up thanks to a couple of good zone reads by Jared Barnett. He finished with 49 yards on six carries. Shontrelle Johnson had another poor showing with eight carries for 24 yards, Jeff Woody had only one carry for five yards but picked up a two-yard touchdown catch in that first drive.

Receiving yardage wasn’t bad, Aaron Horne led the team with eight catches for 75 yards. A total of three receivers had near 50 or more yards in total, and the team had 240 yards on 23 catches overall. The 75th-ranked pass defense was certainly showing, but the damage could have been even more if Iowa State could have had an efficient passing quarterback.

Defense: B

625 total yards were given up in total, and J.W. Walsh (who has been known more for his running ability) had 415 passing yards, 68 percent efficiency on passing, 46 more yards running the ball. The team went 9-18 on third downs, a problem that’s now crept up again for the second straight week.

However, by watching the game it was obvious that wasn’t the problem. The offense was pathetic and if any sort of a running game was established they wouldn’t have been so gassed trying to cover the receivers and Joseph Randle.

Randle had a fantastic day with 24 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State actually did relatively well stopping him on short down opportunities, but it always took about two Cyclones defenders to bring him down in the open field.

Special Teams: A

It was the silver lining of the day. The special teams didn’t put Oklahoma state in any favorable territory, Edwin Arceo made his lone field goal and extra point opportunities in the first quarter, and Kirby Van Der Kamp hit three of his nine total punts inside the 20.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Clones Confidential. Keep up with the latest sports fails and disdain toward the Big Ten by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo, and Lacrosse the Web.