COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Day 40

Cyclone Fanatic is counting down the days until Iowa State’s season opener against Northern Iowa by bringing you a stat, former Cyclone moment or any other random tidbits every morning to help countdown the days.

No. 40 – Colin Downing’s 40.9 yards per punt in 2015

Colin Downing had some big shoes to fill when he stepped in as Iowa State’s starting punter as a true freshman in 2014.

According to Kohl’s Kicking, the ninth-best punter in the country was tasked with replacing All-Big 12 performer Kirby Van Der Kamp, and he did just that. Downing was named to the ESPN All-Underclassmen team after averaging 39.4 yards per punt.

That season included a 64-yard boomer against Baylor.

He saw that number grow to 40.9 yards per punt as a sophomore in 2015 helping to lead Iowa State to the No. 39 punt defense in the country. He even earned a spot on the Ray Guy Award watch list.

Entering 2016, Downing is back on the Ray Guy list and seems poised to make an even bigger jump during his junior season.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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