When asked about his team’s health at Iowa State’s weekly press conference, coach Matt Campbell told reporters that his team was as healthy as it has been in the regular season.
That’s big for the Cyclones, if it holds true to Saturday’s 11:00 a.m. matchup with Oklahoma.
In the team’s four-game losing streak, the running back room produced performances of 44, 63, 57 and 80 yards. That was partially do to injuries slowing down both Jirehl Brock and Cartevious Norton at the position.
However, Campbell sounds confident in seeing those players return to the field this week.
“Obviously, at the running back spot, both (Brock and Norton) was huge to get the week off for them physically,” Campbell said. “Both those guys looked really good in practice on Sunday. Cartevious has really looked good in practice last week, (I) felt really feel really good about where those guys are at.”
Iowa State linebacker Colby Reeder was also on topic as he didn’t play in the team’s game in Austin.
“Reeder practiced on Sunday, which was great,” Campbell said. “You know, we’ll see how he progresses through this week for his guaranteed availability through the week. But, you know, we certainly feel like there’s a legit chance that he’ll play in the game on Saturday.”
The bye week coming during the time it did puts Iowa State in a five-week stretch where it must win three games to extend its bowl game streak to six seasons (an all-time program best).
Campbell said coaches have used it to self reflect.
“That’s one nice thing about the bye week that it really allowed us to, to both as coaches and players self reflect a little bit and really kind of give ourselves the opportunity with some excitement and energy to get back on the football field and start to prepare for a game this week,” Campbell said.
Quarterback Hunter Dekkers echoed his words and said the team used the time off to regroup, themselves.
“(The bye week) does lot for everyone on the team,” Dekkers said. “The football season is a long season. Whether it’s just one or two days just to really step away and really get your mind off of it is really big, mentally.”
No matter what formation of players Iowa State runs onto the field on Saturday becomes, getting any of the three to 100 percent would go a long ways for the 3-4 Cyclones.
