Iowa State Football Report Card vs. Baylor

The defense was a bit shaky giving up over 400 passing yards, but the offense finally looked to hit on all cylinders with Steele Jantz at the helm.

October 27, 2012; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jarvis West (1) catches the touchdown pass against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State beat Baylor 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE

Offense: B+

Outside of some underthrown passes Jantz looked excellent most of the night. He completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, threw for five touchdowns, and only had one interception. The running game also got jump started with the return of James White. He picked up 42 of the team’s 176 yards on the ground. Shontrelle Johnson led the team with 73 yards.

The reasons why I can’t give the team any higher than a B is because they did play the worst-ranked defense in the entire nation. Jantz didn’t have to face much pressure and multiple receivers dropped a lot of catches early in the game (especially Aaron Horne). Third down conversions could have been better than 12-21 on the night.

Defense: C+

This will be how the defense plays. Offenses will be able to move the ball on them, but they continue to be clutch when it counts. Deon Broomfield ended the game on a great interception, and one of his arms were in a cast.

Terrance Williams is nearly unstoppable, but the Cyclones could have done more to contain him. Luckily they held down the running game, giving the Cyclones all the opportunities to play on offense.

Special Teams: B-

There weren’t many problems except Edwin Arceo missing his one and only field goal in the first quarter. Kirby Van Der Kamp punted it four times and nailed one 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.