Sep 2, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers wide receiver Daurice Fountain (10) makes a catch in front of Iowa State Cyclones defensive back D’Andre Payne (1) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa State’s secondary took another hit on Saturday during the team’s 41-14 win over Akron when starting cornerback D’Andre Payne left the game with a hamstring issue.
The junior defensive back missed the Cyclones’ practice Sunday afternoon and head coach Matt Campbell said he is day-to-day moving forward into the bye week.
“He is a guy that I think probably goes onto that day-to-day basis right now of when and if we can get him back ready to go obviously as we kind of get ourselves ready for Big 12 play,” Campbell said during the weekly Big 12 teleconference Monday morning. “I don’t think it’s anything serious or long-term. I think it’s more day-to-day right now and just a hamstring issue that I think got tweaked on the one long play right there on the first drive of the game.”
Payne has accounted for 13 tackles and two tackles for a loss so far this season. His injury opened the door for playing time for true freshmen Keonte Jones and Richard Bowens, who both saw their first major collegiate snaps in the win over the Zips.
Campbell thinks the two rookies have the potential to be major pieces for the Cyclones’ defense as Big 12 play draws near.
“I thought both guys did some good things,” Campbell said. “They’re two guys you ask our coaching staff about we’re really excited about. Both have some length. Both are guys that have significantly improved since the day they’ve gotten on campus. Guys that we have confidence in or we wouldn’t have played them. They’re really guys that we think as you look at that position group as a whole they can bring great value as we get into conference play. Guys that I think will only get better as the season goes on. I thought they did a really good job on Saturday and I’m anxious to watch their growth and development.”
Cotton-Moya’s status still up in the air for Texas
Senior safety Kamari Cotton-Moya missed Iowa State’s win over Akron as he continues to work back from an elbow injury suffered in the loss to Iowa. His status remains uncertain for the Big 12 opener against Texas on Sept. 28.
Luckily, Iowa State entering its bye week will give Cotton-Moya a little extra time to recuperate before the Longhorns roll into Jack Trice Stadium for a nationally televised contest.
“I think really it is getting a clean bill of health from our doctors,” Campbell said when asked what they need to see to clear Cotton-Moya. “He’s not there yet. Didn’t practice yesterday. We hope to see continued improvement on it and hopefully by the end of this week or early next week we can get him back out to practice and hopefully get him ready for the first Big 12 game.”
