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From the Other Side: Talking Iowa State with Alex Halsted

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This is obviously a different kind of Iowa State team than we’re used to seeing; one with not only six wins, but six wins before November. However, whether they’re 6-3 or 3-6, Oklahoma State fans are always nervous about a football game in Ames, Iowa.

To help find out what’s changed to make the Cyclones a good football team, I spoke with Alex Halsted, who does a great job covering the team for 247Sports.

We discuss Matt Campbell in his second year, Kyle Kempt’s go-to receiver, why the Cyclone defense has been so good after halftime, his prediction, and more.

If you’re interested, the full audio interview is available to listen to at the bottom of this post. As always, I apologize for my shortcomings as an interviewer.


Phillip Slavin: Considering Head Coach Matt Campbell has really only had one recruiting class that was his, what has he done in his second year to turn what was a downtrodden program into a ranked team with two top-5 wins?

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Alex Halsted: “I think it’s two-fold. It is hard that first year to get your guys in. I think they did a little bit better job than you typically see getting most of their guys. They only had 60 days to put together that (first) class. I’d say they probably kept about five guys from Paul Rhodes’ recruiting class. So for the most part, the guys they were able to bring in, even in that short span, were guys they evaluated.

“If you look at their running back David Montgomery, they brought him in that first class. Deshonte Jones, who you’ll see at receiver, they brought him in their first class I think that’s part of it, they have gotten some of their guys in, they have gotten some talent. When you get a guy like David Montgomery that obviously helps you. But I think that the other thing, and it’s really cliche, is they’ve done a lot of the little things better.

“I think they’re in the top 10 or 15 in the country, they’re the best in the Big 12, in the fewest penalties. This year they haven’t lost a fumble, the only team in FBS. Their turnover margin is plus-10 right now. Things like that, that Iowa State has really struggled in, they’re doing well this season. So I think that’s allowed them to win some of the close games that they’ve lost in the past. If you look at 2013-2015, they lost 15 of 37 games by one score.

“They would lose so many one score games. But you saw them beat TCU 14-7, you saw them beat Oklahoma 38-31. They’re starting to win some of those close games, at least a little bit more often, because they’re not making as many mistakes.”

PS: Would you call Montgomery the most impactful recruit Campbell has brought in so far?

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AH: “Yeah for sure. They brought him in from Cincinnati, Ohio and that’s Matt Campbell’s recruiting grounds. We saw glimpses of him last year. He rushed for over 500 yards in probably about six true games last season as a true freshman. Now he’s a true sophomore, so there’s still a lot of room for him to grow.

“Their offensive line has been better this year, they’re good pass blockers and protectors for the most part, but not very good run blockers. So a lot of what he’s done is, get by defensive linemen, and have to create for himself. He’s 169 yards from 1,000 with three games to go. Kinda that spark for them. Matt Campbell has a lot of time said he’s been in games where maybe they’re not scoring touchdowns, Montgomery gives them that sort of boost with some of the runs he has.

“He’s probably up there as one of their most impactful players period, but he’s definitely the most impactful the recruit Campbell’s got to date.

PS: Iowa State has four different receivers with four or more touchdowns this season. Allen Lazard aside, who is the “go-to” guy for quarterback Kyle Kempt?

AH: It’s kind of weird this year, it kind of depends on the game. Trever Ryen is one guy you’re seeing a lot. Ryen and Deshaunte Jones are two slot receivers, you’ll see them go to a lot of bubble screens with those guys. More and more, since the beginning of October since they made that quarterback switch.

“One thing that Kyle Kempt does … Jacob Park relies so much on his arm, he trusted his arm to make any throw, whether the pass was there or not. Kempt is a little more methodical, I don’t know if game manager is the right term, but he’ll go through his reads and check down. You’ll see him pass to David Montgomery out of the backfield a little bit more. You’ll see him go with those short passes to Ryen or Jones.

“But, in terms of the guys down field, it kind of varies each game. Some games you’ll see Allen Lazard with five or six catches. There are teams that have tried to double-team Lazard or take away Hakeem Butler, one of those guys that are 6-5, 6-6, and then you’ll see Marchie Murdock show up. And actually a guy I haven’t mentioned, which is one of the guys with four touchdowns, is Matthew Eaton.

“There’s like one or two games, where all of a sudden … against Texas Tech he had two touchdown catches. Another thing I’ve noticed over the last five weeks or so, is a lot more screen passes. When they beat Oklahoma, I think 150 yards of 300-plus came on screen plays, so that is a bigger part of their game is that shorter passing game.”

PS: Speaking of Kempt, what is it he has done over this five game stretch that has made Iowa State so successful?

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AH: “I think the main thing is he doesn’t make a ton of mistakes, at least he hasn’t so far. I think he’s thrown three interceptions. He just hasn’t made a lot of mistakes. Jacob Park, anyone will tell you he’s obviously the more talented quarterback in terms of arm strength. He’s got this immense talent.

“But when Kempt’s come in it’s just been this calmness of, maybe he is more of a game manager, but he goes through his reads and kind of throws it to the check down guy, instead of trying to force things and turning the ball over. I think that’s been part of it. Another part of it is, their defense has really led them, and I think it’s really helped their offense. In the second half of now six Big 12 games, the defense has given up 17 points.

“I think the defense has allowed the offense to make some mistakes, or go into some of the lulls they’ve gone in. The offense has been a little inconsistent the last two or three weeks. I think for them to finish this season strong the offense is going to have to get back on track relatively quickly.”

PS: The defense has been great, especially in second halves. Why is that?

AH: “We’ve asked players that. It was a story line for a few weeks, and it has continued to happen. They were down 20 to nothing to West Virginia last week and they lose that game 20 to 16. West Virginia didn’t score in the second half. They held Oklahoma to a touchdown in the second half to come back and win that one.

“The defense has been the key to those comebacks, and being able to close those games out. Especially against TCU, when it was 14-0, TCU returns that second half kick, but they never scored an offensive touchdown in that game. Especially in the second half when each possession was the chance to tie the game. I think the second half adjustments have been a key part.

“If you look at the West Virginia game as an example, they’ve been really multiple in the way they’ve used their defense this year. Earlier in the season they were doing a lot of four-man front. They came out in a three-man front against West Virginia. It wasn’t working great. In the second half they went a little more to a four-man front. So they’ve just changed up their schemes a lot and I think to mix-and-match dependent upon what teams do. I think a lot of it has been second half adjustments.

“The players, they do think they get better as the games go on and get settled in. But it’s just been, kind of eye-popping, and it’s kind of hard to explain why they’ve only given up 17 points in six Big 12 games in the second half, because you’re playing some high powered offense like Texas Tech and Oklahoma. Matt Campbell has said, I think Oklahoma State is the most complete offense they’ll play so, another big challenge.”

PS: Let’s say Iowa State wins the game Saturday. What did they do successfully to get the victory?

AH: “I think the big key to me. It kind of feels similar to what I thought going into the TCU game, was they’re probably going to need to force some kind of big turnover. I think they’re going to have to make, whether it’s Mason Rudolph or someone fumbling, they’re going to have to make a crucial turnover. That happened for them against TCU, they forced two turnovers in the red zone. They don’t win the game without that. I

“think the big turnover is big in this type of game for them. It has that feeling of, you know Oklahoma State is going to put up points. I think the other thing is they can’t afford to get into a shoot-out. Iowa State’s offense is capable of scoring, but it doesn’t have the feel of the type of game that’s going to be in the 50s.

“It does feel like it’s going to be somewhere between TCU and Texas. If they can play that kind of scoring game, and not make mistakes, I think Iowa State can win this game. It just feels like that type of game where they’re going to have to get some type of turnover that swings the game in their favor.”

PS: Do you have a prediction for Saturday?

AK: “I haven’t really thought of a score. I think if Iowa State can keep it close and the fact that it’s at home, allows them a shot. But right now I’d have to say Oklahoma State. I just think, what that offense has been able to do and everything. It just feels like the kind of game that Oklahoma State is going to win.”


We talk about what Alex expects Iowa State’s regular season record to be after the final three games, why Allan Lazard’s numbers are down this season, if ISU will try a similar defensive scheme to what TCU and Texas used successfully, and if he thinks Matt Campbell will still be in Ames, Iowa next season.

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