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iowa State 8-4 vs. Washington State 10-2
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BOWL PREVIEW
I2 | Friday, December 28, 2018
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Q. What are your thoughts on the 2018 finish and looking ahead to the Outback Bowl? “I liked the way the Hawks finished the season. I think following the Northwestern home loss the senior class stepped forward and really made a conscious effort to finish strong and improve their bowl positioning and they did just that with wins over Illinois on the road and at home on senior day versus Nebraska in retaining the Heroes Trophy and extending their win streak over the Huskers to four games. I feel that the team is in good spirits and focused on winning a big game against a very solid SEC opponent in Mississippi State” Q. What are your thoughts on the development of Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette along with the younger guys coming up thru the ranks? “I think Coach Copeland has done a great job here in year two and is really seeing some growth in Smith and Smith-Marsette. These are two good young receivers who were baptized last season as freshman and have really earned their stripes this season. Smith has made some sensational grabs this season and become a favorite down field target of Stanley’s. Smith-Marsette has been steady in the passing game and has really surfaced as an all-conference performer as a return specialist. Smith-Marsette has really given the Hawks some great field position off of kick returns” Q. Experts are looking at the Outback Bowl as a defensive fist fight. What are your thoughts on the importance of the hidden yardage in the special teams such as punt return, kick return and effectiveness of both opposing punters? “I am impressed with the Hawks defensively and have been all season. This Bulldog crew is a tough bunch to deal with. They are in the top ten in total defenses as is Iowa and field position will dictate scoring in this contest. I agree, the punting game and field goal kicking in an anticipated tight contest like this could very well be the difference in winning or losing. I have felt all year long that Iowa’s special teams play has been pretty consistent and that has helped both the offense and defense” Q. How has your Outback Bowl trips been? I have been to this bowl destination along with a few others and it is top shelf in my opinion. Is it one of your favorite bowl venues? “I really enjoy the Tampa area and the relationship between the Outback Bowl organizer’s and the Iowa administration and Hawkeye fan base is very strong. This is just a great place for the Hawks to come practice weather wise and play in an NFL stadium and have a great New Year’s Day bowl game. The Hawks have some Floridian’s on their roster and just added two new commitments earlier this month with linebacker Yahweh Jeudy from Fort Lauderdale and cornerback Dane Belton from Tampa”
GARY DOLPHIN
Q. What is your opinion on the early signing period that just took place December 19th? A. “It has been interesting. Coach Ferentz has expressed that his staff is now doing earlier evaluations. It is the same with all schools of course and everybody has to deal with the same early signing period. I think it has helped Iowa in a way with all the staff’s dealing with bowl prep and practice. These relationships were built over time and in a lot of instances that is the measuring stick for high school prospects and their families to make a decision. Often times that relationship that exists is hard for a coach for another team to overcome when it gets late in the recruiting game” Q. In your opinion what will it take to defeat the Bulldogs? A. “The Hawks are going to have to play error free football. Yards will be tough to come by for both teams but I look for one team to capitalize on the other’s mistakes and once that happens momentum can change sidelines quickly. I feel Iowa from an offensive standpoint will have to have early success on first down. It is important to not allow the Bulldog defense to dictate down and distance on third downs. In order to win, the Hawks will need to move the chains with great balance in the running and passing game”
BOWL PREVIEW
I4 | Friday, December 28, 2018
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Reasons to watch them all RALPH RUSSO
Congratulations
to the Iowa State Cyclones on your Alamo Bowl Invite! We welcome Cyclone fans to shop our Alamo Bowl Merchandise!
www.alamobowl.com
Associated Press
A moment of silence, please, for Wyoming, Southern Miss, Miami (Ohio) and Louisiana-Monroe. Those four teams reached bowl eligibility, but there were no postseason games available for them to play. Don’t dare say there are too many bowls. Not when the Cowboys, Golden Eagles, RedHawks and Warhawks were left out. No freebie Fossil watches for them to re-gift. No go-kart FRIDAY, DEC. 28 Music City Bowl Nashville, Tennessee Purdue (plus 3½) vs. Auburn Why watch? Bowl season is all about conference bragging rights and the transitive properties of previous results. How much is a victory over the team that beat Big Ten champ Ohio State by 29 worth to the SEC? ... AUBURN 28-21.
races after practice. The fun began for those who did get into the postseason — and those who get to watch it — on Dec. 15 and stretches through New Year’s Day. The College Football Playoff national championship will be decided on Jan. 7, but it already kind of feels like we know who will be in that. It goes fast. Make time to savor every bowl, and watch them all. Do it for the Cowboys, Golden Eagles, RedHawks and Warhawks.
Camping World Bowl Orlando, Florida West Virginia (minus 1½) vs. Syracuse Why watch? Get a look at West Virginia’s possible quarterback of the future. Miami transfer Jacks Allison is likely to start with star Will Grier skipping the game ahead of the NFL draft ... SYRACUSE 35-31.
Alamo Bowl | San Antonio Iowa State (plus 3½) vs. Washington State Why watch? Odds are excellent Washington State coach and history buff Mike Leach knows more about the Battle of the Alamo than anyone in major college football. And there is at least a chance he will talk about it during his halftime interview ... IOWA STATE 28-24.
Q. What are your thoughts on the Alamo Bowl invite and a great PAC 12 opponent in Washington State? A. “This is a great invitation for the football team and our fan base I have heard nothing but positive things about the hospitality received down in San Antonio. Ticket sales have been tremendous and I get the feeling our fan base is very excited to go down and take in everything this great bowl game has to offer. I know the team and coaching staff is thrilled with this invitation and a chance to win two bowl games in a row versus a great opponent in Washington State,”
JOHN WALTERSVoice of the Cyclones
Q. The Cyclones have won seven of their last eight football games and are one of the hottest teams in the country. What progress did you see on both sides of the ball that led to that climb? A. “In watching the season play out, I saw leadership from the senior class step forward and the level of play really ramped up in October leading to a gratifying season. The job Purdy has done at QB has been a huge part of the season’s success but the cohesiveness on both sides of the football has been a key to the individual player development. The young kids have really worked hard and have really taken in the teachings of the upper classmen and coaching staff,”
Q. Coach Campbell versus Coach Leach is a compelling chess match. What team would you compare the Cougars to from the Big 12? A. “I think the competition we see each week in the Big 12 has provided a good scout for what to expect from the Cougars. Obviously, coach Leach was at Texas Tech previously and he continues to throw the ball around the yard so to speak. I would compare them a little bit to Oklahoma State and West Virginia. They will mix in the running game to keep you honest but they rely heavily on a short to intermediate passing game with crossing routes all over the field. On defense, the Cyclones will really have to trust their eyes when facing this offense as they showcase a lot of missdirection” Q. The Alamo Bowl is a great venue for the Big 12 Conference. Are you looking forward to your time on the River Walk? A. “The location of this bowl game is a real drawing card for our fan base. I keep hearing from our fan base how much they are looking to heading down to San Antonio. There is so much to take in from a fan’s standpoint and the organizers of this bowl game have been doing this a long time and really know how to make this a special event. This is also great territory for recruiting purposes as Coach Campbell and his staff have built some great relationships with several high schools down in the Texas area” Q. How big of a role do you think David Montgomery will play in the contest? A. “I think Montgomery will be a key for the Cyclone offense. If the Cyclones can be productive in the run game it will have a direct impact on time of possession and keeping the potent Cougar attack on the sidelines. The Cougars present some problems defensively as they are very aggressive and are not afraid to blitz when necessary” Q. In your opinion what has to happen for the Cyclones to win their second consecutive bowl game? A. “This will be a great game in my opinion. I think it will come down to whoever can get stops on defense. There is some great offensive talent on display on both teams. The team that turns the ball over is going to have an uphill battle because both teams can put two touchdowns up very quickly and you could find yourself trailing by two possessions early. With this game being played in the Alamo Dome weather will not be a factor and I look for some points to be scored by both teams”
BOWL PREVIEW
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SATURDAY, DEC. 29 Peach Bowl | Atlanta Florida (plus 7½) vs. Michigan Why watch? This will be the third matchup of Gators and Wolverines since Jim Harbaugh became Michigan coach in 2015. Wait, that’s why NOT to watch. This really should be UCF vs. Florida ... MICHIGAN 24-17. Belk Bowl | Charlotte, N.C. South Carolina (minus 4) vs. Virginia Why watch? Under-the-radar QBs in South Carolina’s Jake Bentley and Virginia’s Bryce Perkins could make this a fun game ... SOUTH CAROLINA 34-31. Arizona Bowl | Tucson, Arizona Arkansas State (minus 1½) vs. Nevada Why watch? The best pass rusher you have never heard of plays for Arkansas State. Senior Ronheen Bingham had nine sacks ... ARKANSAS STATE 34-30. Cotton Bowl | Arlington, Texas CFP Semifinal, Notre Dame (plus 11) vs. Clemson Why watch? The Fighting Irish make their first playoff appearance. Love’em or hate’em, you’ll
watch’em ... CLEMSON 35-26. Orange Bowl Miami Gardens, Florida CFP Semifinal, Oklahoma (plus 14) vs. Alabama Why watch? Kyler and Tua ... ALABAMA 56-38. MONDAY, DEC. 31 Military Bowl | Annapolis, Maryland Cincinnati (minus 5) vs. Virginia Tech Why watch? It is 11 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. You might be at work, but there’s no way you’re actually working ... CINCINNATI 24-17. Sun Bowl | El Paso, Texas Stanford (minus 6½) vs. Pittsburgh Why watch? The last time Pitt played in the Sun Bowl, the Panthers lost to Oregon State 3-0 in 2008. Has to get better, right? ... STANFORD 31-21. Redbox Bowl | Santa Clara, Calif. Michigan State (plus 3) vs. Oregon Why watch? Does your favorite NFL team need a quarterback and have a high first-round pick? You need to know Oregon’s Justin Herbert ... MICHIGAN STATE 20-14. Liberty Bowl | Memphis, Tenn.
KATHY WILLENS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this file photo, Iowa right tackle Sean Welsh (79) holds up the trophy as confetti falls after Iowa defeated Boston College, 27-20, in the Pinstripe Bowl in New York. Missouri (minus 7½) vs. Oklahoma State Why watch? Does your favorite NFL team need quarterback and have a mid to low first-round pick? You need to know Missouri’s Drew Lock ... MISSOURI 42-31. Holiday Bowl | San Diego Northwestern (plus 7) vs. Utah Why watch? If there’s a brawl, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham are two
Friday, December 28, 2018 | I5
of the head coaches most likely to win a fight ... UTAH 28-23. Gator Bowl | Jacksonville, Florida NC State (plus 4½) vs. Texas A&M Why watch? If you love punting — and who doesn’t? — Aggies All-America Braden Mann is on pace to break the single-season record for net average by more than a yard at 51.1 ... TEXAS A&M 28-24. TUESDAY, JAN. 1 Outback Bowl | Tampa, Florida Mississippi State (minus 6½) vs. Iowa Why watch? Mississippi State is a weird team. The Bulldogs have played only one game decided by less than 14 points this season ... MISSISSIPPI STATE 28-14 Citrus Bowl | Orlando, Florida Kentucky (plus 6½) vs. Penn State Why watch? Kentucky LB Josh Allen, who has won three defensive player of the year awards — Nagurski, Bednarik and Lott Impact ... PENN STATE 21-17. Fiesta Bowl | Glendale, Arizona LSU (minus 7½) vs. UCF Why watch? The Knights have no interest in being lovable under-
dogs. Expect another offseason of banners and proclamations from UCF if it caps a second straight unbeaten season ... UCF 31-24. Rose Bowl | Pasadena, California Washington (plus 6½) vs. Ohio State Why watch? Urban Meyer’s last game as coach of Ohio State will be his first Rose Bowl ... OHIO STATE 34-24. Sugar Bowl | New Orleans Texas (plus 11½) vs. Georgia Why watch? The Bulldogs missed the playoff, but could still finish No. 2 in the country for a second straight season, depending on how the bowls go ... GEORGIA 35-17. MONDAY, JAN. 7 College Football Championship Santa Clara, California Clemson vs. Alabama Why watch? Tide-Tigers IV. If it’s half as good as Rocky IV, the one where he fights Ivan Drago, it’ll be awesome ... TBD Championship week: 8-2 straight; 5-5 against the spread; Season: 205-74 straight; 150-150-3 against the spread; Upset specials: 8-6 (straight up); Best bets: 6-6 (against the spread).
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BOWL PREVIEW
I6 | Friday, December 28, 2018
Bulldogs boast a strong defense
Fant won’t play in Iowa’s bowl game STEVE BATTERSON
Quad-City Times
STEVE BATTERSON
Quad-City Times
Freshly hired by Mississippi State as its new football coach, Joe Moorhead liked what he saw while observing practices before a bowl game a year ago. After working with the Bulldogs in the spring, he was convinced the Mississippi State defense had a chance to be “something special.’’ Moorhead used those words when talking about the potential he saw in his team’s defense during a July interview with the SEC Network. Today, Iowa coaches are working to figure out how to deal with an opposing defense in the Outback Bowl that has lived up to the preseason expectations of its first-year coach. “When you see their defense is rated ahead of Alabama, it catches your eye,’’ Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz said Thursday when he joined Moorhead at a bowl contract signing event at Raymond James Stadium, the site of the New Year’s Day match-up between Iowa and Mississippi State. Iowa’s challenge in the 11 a.m. game at Raymond James Stadium begins dealing with a defense that has dominated statistically throughout the Bulldogs’ 8-4 season. Mississippi State leads the nation in scoring defense, surrendering 12 points per game. The Bulldogs held seven of their opponents to their lowest point total of the season, frustrating offenses of six bowl qualifiers including top-ranked Alabama. Opponents have scored only 12 touchdowns in 12 games against the Mississippi State defense, seven fewer than the next-best defense in the nation. The Bulldogs have the only de-
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CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Iowa defensive back Michael Ojemudia (11) runs from Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll, right, after intercepting a pass during the second half of the Hawkeyes’ 31-28 victory on Nov. 23 in Iowa City. fense in the country which has not allowed a play from scrimmage of 50 yards or more this season. Mississippi State has given up 26 plays of 25 yards or more, but that also ranks as the fewest allowed by a defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Those numbers illustrate the challenge that awaits the Hawkeyes as they prepare for an opponent that has adjusted to a new coaching staff this season after Dan Mullen left to become the head coach at Florida. Moorhead is no stranger to Iowa. He was the offensive coordinator at Penn State in 2016-17, calling the shots for the Nittany Lions in their 41-14 win over the Hawkeyes in 2016 and in Penn State’s 21-19 walk-off win at Kinnick Stadium in 2017. “I’ve had the opportunity to coach against Iowa the last two years and coach Ferentz’s program is a model of consistency,’’ Moorhead said. “They play good defense, have an excellent quarterback and a great tight end. This is a match-up of two good teams.’’ Moorhead views his hiring of Bob Shoop as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator as a critical component to his team’s success. Like Moorhead, Shoop worked under James Franklin at Penn State although they did not work together there. Franklin hired Shoop as his defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2011 and he followed Franklin to
the Big Ten in 2014, working two seasons at Penn State before taking on the same role at Tennessee in 2016. He spent two seasons with the Volunteers before joining Moorhead at Mississippi State a year ago. Moorhead and Shoop inherited a veteran group that Moorhead found a lot to like about even before he began to work with them. “I was observing their bowl practices last year and what I saw was a very competitive group that was willing to work hard, practice hard and showed me then that they were willing to do what it took to win,’’ Moorhead said. The Bulldogs defense starts up front where a pair of NFL prospects, end Montez Sweat and tackle Jeffery Simmons, were named last week as first-team all-Southeastern Conference selections for a second straight year. Sweat leads the SEC with 11 sacks among his 13.5 tackles for a loss while Simmons leads the Bulldogs with 14.5 tackles for a loss. Mississippi State shifted from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive alignment this season under Shoop, although not unlike Iowa the Bulldogs have played a 4-2-5 look more frequently as the season progressed. The use of a safety in place of a linebacker – something Iowa has done against spread attacks with Big Ten defensive back of the year Amani Hooker – has been effective in creating a defensive edge for Mississippi State.
Noah Fant has run his last route and delivered his final block in an Iowa football uniform. The junior tight end recently announced plans to forego his remaining eligibility and declared himself eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft. The record-setting tight end, named by Big Ten coaches as a first-team all-conference selection, will leave the program immediately and will not participate in Iowa’s upcoming bowl game. “After multiple discussions with my family, coaches and a lot of prayer, I have decided to forego the remainder of my eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft,’’ Fant wrote in an Instagram. The decision came after Fant met with coach Kirk Ferentz to discuss and share his future plans. While several Hawkeyes have left school early for the draft, Fant is the first Hawkeye player to join a recent national trend and leave his team prior to a bowl game. Coach Kirk Ferentz touched on that in a statement regarding Fant’s decision. “We are disappointed Noah will not be finishing the season with his teammates,’’ Ferentz said. “He is a tremendous athlete and we wish him the best as he pursues his goal of playing in the NFL.’’ Iowa’s career leader in touchdown receptions by a tight end with 19, Fant is regarded among the top tight end prospects in this year’s draft class. His 42-inch vertical jump and his Iowa record in the three-cone drill illustrate the athletic ability that led draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. to rate the Omaha native as the number one draft-eligible tight end prospect at the collegiate level. One of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award presented to college football’s top tight end, the 6-foot-5, 241-pound Fant leads Iowa this season with seven touchdown receptions. He is third on the team with 39 catches for the year covering 519
yards. Fant shared the tight end spotlight on Iowa’s team this season with sophomore T.J. Hockenson, winner of the Mackey Award and chosen as a first-team all-Big Ten player by a league media panel. While the pair insisted they worked well together, Fant’s junior season included some drama off the field. Five games into the season, family members tweeted displeasure about how Fant was being utilized in the Hawkeye offense. Fant dealt with it, saying he would always support his family but quickly adding that he trusted his coaches to make the right decisions. In announcing his decision, Fant thanked Iowa fans for showing him “unending love and support’’ and he thanked Hawkeye football and academic staff members. “The lessons you’ve helped me learn will carry with me throughout life, helping me achieve success no matter what I’m doing,’’ Fant wrote. “Thank you coach Ferentz and coach (Chris) Doyle for the opportunity and honor to represent the black and gold, for helping me grow physically and mentally more than I thought possible.’’ Fant thanked his position coaches, LeVar Woods and Brian Ferentz, before concluding that he made a decision he believes is the best for him at this point in time. “Since the very first time I put on a pair of football pads as a child, it has been my dream to play in the NFL,’’ Fant said. “I am very excited for what the future holds and extremely humbled by the amazing opportunity in front of me. I will always bleed the black and gold and forever be a Hawkeye.’’ Fant concludes his college career with 1,083 receiving yards and beyond being an Iowa record, his 19 touchdown receptions are the third-most ever by a Big Ten tight end. Hockenson, draft eligible as a third-year sophomore, also has a decision to make.
BOWL PREVIEW
siouxcityjournal.com
Friday, December 28, 2018 | I7
Trip to Alamo Bowl proves ISU is a contender BEN VISSER
For the Journal
AMES – Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell wanted to prove that last season wasn’t a flash in the pan. He wanted to prove that Iowa State was a contender that was here to stay. The No. 24 Cyclones (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) took another step toward that goal with their invitation to San Antonio, Texas for the Alamo Bowl against No. 12 Washington State (10-2, 7-2 Pac 12). “It says where we’re going,” Campbell said. “It shows that there is finally some legitimacy to this place becoming a real football program that’s going in the right direction. Last year, it was great to have some success, but you almost felt like everybody thought it was a fluke. To be able to showcase that, that wasn’t the situation and now to only continue to push the envelope in a positive direction – I think it says a lot about the character of the young men in our program. It’s a big step forward.” Iowa State was picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 in the preseason. Cornerback Brian Peavy used the perceived slight as motivation. “Coming off the season we had
CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Drake defensive back Alex Rogers (9) during the second half Dec. 1 in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 27-24. last year, we were still ranked at the bottom of the conference. We see that. We notice it.” The Alamo Bowl gets the No. 1 team from the Big 12 that’s not in the College Football Playoffs or a New Year’s Six Bowl. The Alamo Bowl was able to
pick between Iowa State and No. 16 West Virginia, since the two teams finished tied for third in the standings. “I know we beat West Virginia, so I think that part was really positive,” Campbell said. “I certainly think this is a football team that’s
continued to grow all season long. It’s a young team that continues to mature and continues to find ways to overcome adversity in a lot of ways. It’s great for our team, great that we get a lot more practice and great that we get another opportunity to play another great
opponent.” Athletic Director Jamie Pollard said on Twitter that he told the Alamo Bowl selection committee to talk to the Kansas City Sports Commission and Tourism Bureau about how well Iowa State fans travel. Iowa State’s ticket allotment is 12,000 for the Alamo Bowl. It was 10,000 last year when the Cyclones went to the Liberty Bowl and Iowa State fans sold that allotment out. “I saw how Cyclone Nation traveled to Memphis last year when the weather was freezing rain,” receiver Hakeem Butler said. “It’s going to be nice this year, so there is no telling how many people will be there.” Since the bowl was announced, airplane tickets from Des Moines to San Antonio for dates over the bowl game have skyrocketed over $100 their original price. The fans feel the excitement, and so do the players. “I think there is a really good buzz around our facility today,” Campbell said. “A lot of excitement. Our kids have a really good understanding – they’re pretty intelligent players and they knew what being selected to this bowl game meant.”
Campbell in heaven as Cyclones prep for Alamo Bowl BEN VISSER
For the Journal
Matt Campbell loves practice. He’s gone on record and said he likes practice more than games. These weeks leading up to the Alamo Bowl, Campbell is in his own little version of heaven. He’s able to work more with the younger players on the team while the veterans rest up. “We really want to focus on us,” Campbell said. “We’ll practice, we’ll take exams and then put our emphasis on bowl preparation. For us it’s invaluable. It was invaluable for us last year to get those practices and invaluable for this team to continue to get those practices.” Last season, then-true fresh-
men receiver Tarique Milton, defensive back Datrone Young and linebacker O’Rien Vance started to stand out. All three have been key pieces to the Iowa State team. It’s not just the true freshmen that get an opportunity to get more work, it’s the other young players who might not have had big roles. “The young guys get a chance to practice and get even better. This year we had a lot of young guys step up, whether they were freshmen or redshirt freshmen, you never know. When you get a little work at the end of the season, some of those guys even got to play in the bowl game last year.” The main players Hakeem Butler was referencing were safeties
Braxton Lewis and Lawrence But when asked to describe the White, who were also key players type of pain he plays with he said it’s, “indescribable.” this season. Even with the pain and the inPlaying through injury jury, receiver Butler has remained Iowa State All-Big 12 corner impressed with his teammate. back Brian Peavy hasn’t been “I say repeatedly he’s the best 100-percent healthy all season. corner I’ve gone against,” Butler Since fall camp, the senior has said. “We have a lot of great corbeen battling injury. ners here in the Big 12, but he’s the Campbell has alluded to the in- best, hands down, in my opinion.” jury, but has never gone into detail Luckily for Peavy, he has a few and said he won’t until the end of weeks before the Alamo Bowl in the season. San Antonio, Texas. “Brian Peavy’s story will be a “You think about those guys really powerful on to tell at some that have had to play a lot of reps point once we get to the end of the – we are a lot better this year than season,” Campbell said. we were a year ago, but the David Peavy down played it and said it (Montgomery’s) and the Brian Peavys and the Ray Limas and just comes with the game.
some of those o-linemen,” Campbell said. “It’s going to be really big for those guys to get a little bit of rest. They need it.”
Home-“town” game
Peavy is from Houston, Texas and Butler went to high school in Travis, Texas, which is in between Dallas and Austin. The two are excited to play another game in their home-state. Peavy said San Antonio about three hours away from Houston and he said he expects a large number of his family and friends to be in attendance. “There will probably be a small No. 18 section,” Butler said with a smile.
I8 | Friday, December 28, 2018
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