AMES — For the first time since playing in Dublin, Ireland, Iowa State football is hitting the road.
The No. 14 Cyclones (3-0) will take on Arkansas State (1-1) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, in the road half of a home-and-home series against the Red Wolves. These two teams met in Ames last season, with the Cyclones easing past Arkansas State, 52-7.
Here are three takeaways from Matt Campbell’s media availability ahead of Iowa State’s matchup against Arkansas State.
Campbell on Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor
Jaylen Raynor, the Red Wolves’ starting quarterback, is off to a hot start this season.
He recorded 470 passing yards and four touchdowns – with two interceptions – through the first two games of the year. He rushed for an additional 55 yards, averaging 2.9 yards per carry.
“Respect, first and foremost, for Arkansas State,” Campbell said. “This will be the best quarterback, in my opinion, from mobility, play-making-ability standpoint that we’re going to play. He’s got all the tools, and we saw that last year against him here and we’ve seen what he was able to do (after) our game a year ago.”
Fatigue and heat could impact Iowa State vs. Arkansas
Since before the start of the season, Campbell emphasized the difficulties that his team would face after returning from an international game. And Iowa State’s first road game since coming back from abroad won’t be easy: The current weather forecast for Jonesboro, Ark., has a high of 97 degrees on Saturday, with a real feel of over 100.
“I think that all those things are real, and all those things obviously would be an excuse if we didn’t get better this week,” Campbell said. “It’s going to be hot everywhere, not just in Jonesboro, right? The reality of it is, the last scrimmage we had was at four o’clock and 107 degrees real feel temperature.
“So, we’ve been there. We prepared for this, and you know what it takes, physically, to prepare yourself to do that.”
Iowa State injury update ahead of Arkansas State
Campbell provided an injury update on offensive lineman Trevor Buhr and linebackers Carson Willich and Cael Brezina.
“I think we’re doing probably as good – at least at this point in the season – as we’ve been,” Campbell said. “I think Trev’s probably got a real chance to play Saturday, which is really good. I’d say Aiden and Carson probably are both questionable right now.
“And Brezina…he got dinged up right before half and we made the decision that he was probably done (for the game). But he will be ready to go this weekend.”
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3 things coach Matt Campbell said ahead of Iowa State football vs Arkansas State
Reporting by Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
