Iowa State football: Report card for the 2014 season

Nov 22, 2014; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Sam B Richardson (12) throws against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks: C-

We learned why Sam Richardson was the man, and thanks to his conditioning, he was able to last for most of the season. However, he still got banged up and it affected his production. Richardson was never the same after suffering a shoulder injury against Oklahoma — he didn’t reach that same production we saw against Toledo and Texas, where he finally found some confidence this year.

Richardson will likely avoid any controversy for a starting role next year, but an injury-plagued past will be in the back of the fans’ minds. And it better be in the coaches’ minds too. Keep the backups under center fresh and ready if Richardson is going to continue being a mobile quarterback.

Next: Something resembling a defensive line