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247Sports · Henry Annen

Sep 19
Iowa State position grades: Cyclones blow past Bowling Green
Summary
Pick/market: AMES — Iowa State bounced back from a narrow loss in Iowa City by leaving no doubt against Bowling Green, defeating the Falcons 55-7.
AMES — Iowa State bounced back from a narrow loss in Iowa City by leaving no doubt against Bowling Green, defeating the Falcons 55-7. For the first time this season, the Cyclone offense looked more impressive than the defense, thanks to explosive scoring plays. Here are the Iowa State position grades in the statement victory. Quarterback: B Jaylen Raynor did what he was mostly asked to do, going 11-of-17 for 133 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The interception wasn't necessarily a bad read, but a poorly executed throw and a great play by the Bowling Green secondary. Raynor also rushed for 60 yards on six attempts, with the longest being a 35-yard run.  Running back: A  Aiden Flora had a career day, recording 194 total yards on 12 attempts. His longest rush of the day came on a 61-yard touchdown run, his first rushing score. Behind Flora, Cameron Pettaway and Arnold Barnes III both saw minimal carries before Barnes took over once the starters' days were done. Given how the workload was split, the coaching staff seems to view Pettaway primarily as a returner, as he only recorded four rushing attempts for 12 yards Saturday. Receivers: B Most of the scoring came on the ground, so it was a relatively quiet day for the Iowa State receiving corps. As a group, they caught 67% of their targets. No receiver had more than 34 yards, with Jamal Polite recording the most on a 34-yard reception. Polite did have three targets and only one catch. Omari Hayes dropped an intended screen pass, one of his two drops against the Falcons.  Pettaway was the leading receiver with three catches for 27 yards.  Offensive line: A After doubts in the group's ability to create running lanes, the offensive line proved they could run-block for the Cyclone ball carriers. For the most part, they kept a clean pocket for Raynor. On the lone sack, Raynor was forced up in the pocket and eventually surrounded by Falcons. It's worth noting that LT Jake Taylor and RG Austin Barrett were taken out on certain running plays during the first half. Defensive line: B After prominent performances in the first two games of the season, big names were relatively quiet against Bowling Green. DE Jack Janikowski forced a fumble and recorded two tackles, the loudest performance of the group. Isaac Terrell was quiet on the stat sheet, even just getting picked up by one offensive lineman.  Linebacker: A The Cyclone linebackers are playing with incredible urgency and awareness. Carson Willich, Sullivan Schlimgen and Willie Breland were the top three tacklers. The three linebackers each recorded a tackle for a loss, and an all-around great performance for the group. Additionally, Beau Goodwin recorded an interception. Defensive backs: A The Cyclone secondary didn't allow a score from outside, after a collision between Jaheim Singletary and Breland allowed for the lone Falcon touchdown. The DBs and the Cyclone defense held Bowling Green to 96 receiving yards and 59 of them came on that touchdown score.   Special teams: A For the first time in program history, the Cyclones recorded returning touchdowns on both punts and kickoffs.  Cameron Pettaway recorded a kickoff return score in the first quarter on a 100-yard return. The attempt tied the school record for the longest scoring play (Dick Howard, Kansas State, 1945) and broke the record for the longest kickoff return (99 yards, Troy Davis, Colorado, 1994). Flora scored with a 66-yard punt return in the third quarter. He finished the game with 92 punt return yards of his 296 total yards.  Kyle Konrardy missed a 54-yard field goal attempt but was perfect on his remaining attempts. Ethan Gurney did have a short 38-yard punt on the lone punt for the Cyclones.

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Teams: Iowa State

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