By The Numbers: Iowa State Seeks Two Straight Against Texas

By: C.T. Steckel

WR Darius Reynolds is averaging 18.4 yards per catch. AP Photo/Darren Abate

Cyclones Hope To Repeat History

It still seems odd, even a year later. In fact somewhere in the Lone Star state this week, a Texas fan or two is still having nightmares about Iowa State’s Alexander Robinson running free in the Longhorn defense, and probably startled themselves awake imagining a fifth Garrett Gilbert fumble.

Did it really happen? Could the Cyclones have really traveled on the road and beat the mighty Longhorns in Darrel K. Royal Stadium? History tells us yes, and in hindsight, it may have been the best thing for both programs.

Regardless of the colors you wear on game day, last year’s outcome served as the catalyst for change at Iowa State and Texas. The Cyclones proved to themselves and recruits around the nation that they could play with the big boys in college football. After all, a win is a win on the road at Texas.

A 3-0 start this season, with victories over rival Iowa in triple overtime, and on the road at UConn last week, shows that Paul Rhoads and company are still riding the wave of momentum they picked up last fall in Austin. Confidence is the intangible that you can’t measure in the box score, but the Cyclones would most likely lead the Big 12 in that category as they host UT this weekend.

The 28-21 loss to Iowa State last October set off a chain reaction that culminated in four straight defeats for Texas, and eventually five of six to end the 2010 campaign. As a result, the Longhorns saw their streak of consecutive 10-win seasons end at nine. But it was time for change just east of the Hill Country.

Mack Brown needed to inject new life into his coaching staff, because the results on both sides of the ball just weren’t there. Sure they had played for the National Title the year before, but when you don’t go bowling the following season, fans turn in a hurry. Couple that with the reality your quarterback play resembled a patient on life support, and your defense made UCLA and Kansas State look like Top 5 BCS teams, and quickly trips to the Rose Bowl seem like a distant memory.

So, can Iowa State pull off the upset again? Let’s take a look at the numbers:

1: The total victories the Cyclones own over Texas in their 32-year history.

2: New Coordinators at Texas this season (Bryan Harsin – OC, Manny Diaz – DC)

3: Years Paul Rhoads has coached at Iowa State (15-13 overall, 6-10 in Big 12)

4: Number of victories ISU seeks to open season (Best Start Since 2000)

5: Wins for both Iowa State and Texas last season.

8.3: Avg. Tackles Per Game for UT’s Emmanual Acho (Leads team)

11.0: Avg. Tackles Per Game for ISU’s Jake Knott (Leads Big 12)

19.3: Avg. first downs per game for Iowa State (last in Big 12)

19.7: Avg. first downs per game for Texas (second to last)

154.0: Avg. passing yards allowed per game by Texas (leads Big 12)

222.0: ISU QB Steele Jantz avg. passing yards per game