Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Iowa State Cyclones Game Recap

August 31, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers running back David Johnson (7) runs away from Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Jacob Homa (55) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

All this week, Northern Iowa running back David Johnson was one of the most talked about targets on the Panthers. If Iowa State was going to win, they needed to contain him on defense.

Johnson’s stat line: 23 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Also, four catches for 41 yards and two more touchdowns.

Final score: Panthers 28, Cyclones 20.

David Johnson was considered an absolute stud before this season, and he’s only a junior right now. He’s going to be one of those players that slipped through the cracks of recruiting and has the talent to make it into the NFL.

He was better than everybody on Iowa State’s defense last night. A defense that looked completely overwhelmed until a couple series into the game.

All of the fears going into the game all came into fruition; the defensive didn’t tackle well (usually a Cyclone staple), Sam Richardson made plenty of mistakes despite getting over 300 yards of offense by himself, and both Shontrelle Johnson and James White were not involved nearly enough with just 56 yards picked up on the ground combined.

UNI had two more first downs (23-21), 47 more total yards (457-410), better third down conversion rate (5-10 to 7-17), and overcame three turnovers (ISU had two).

Iowa State got beat up and down the field all night long by a better team. In their defense, it was against an FCS school that we all know is incredibly good. Now it’s time to find out what the Cyclones can learn from it.