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GRAY: Everyting has changed — except it hasn’t — as No. 17 ISU prepares for No. 6 Oklahoma State

Oct 6, 2018; Stillwater, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) scrambles against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports  Everything has changed. Yet nothing has.  I’d frame Saturday’s undoubtedly big game between No. 17 Iowa State and sixth-ranked Oklahoma State in …
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NOTEBOOK: On Brock Purdy’s growth since dynamic 2018 debut in Stillwater

Oct 6, 2018; Stillwater, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) celebrates with teammates after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports A calm settled over Brock Purdy two years ago when he made his Big 12 debut at Oklahoma State.  A city …
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FROM “THE BOTTOM” TO STARTER: ISU offensive lineman Derek Schweiger has paid his dues

ISU offensive lineman Derek Schweiger in action. (Photo courtesy Cyclones.com)  Derek Schweiger lay on his back.   It hurt. A lot. The wear and tear of practicing football had taken its toll on the walk-on offensive lineman’s body.  The lightly-recruited hulking figure from Plymouth, Wis., had already beaten the odds by securing even a chance to …
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Short memory and sharp focus helps ISU defense remain stingy amid bouts with adversity

Sep 26, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Mike Rose (23) and linebacker O’Rien Vance (34) react to an interception in the fourth quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Short memory. Sharp vision. That’s how No. 20 Iowa State’s defense recovers …
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NOTEBOOK: Breece Hall’s latest 100-yard game was “OK,” injury updates and more

Oct 10, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Breece Hall (28) throws his towel up to the stands after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports. AMES — Iowa State’s star tailback Breece Hall did his best Matt Campbell impression after Saturday’s relatively …
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GRAY: Poise propels the Cyclones in dominant, yet workmanlike 31-15 win over Texas Tech

Oct 10, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) shakes hands with teammates after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports.  AMES — Never rattled. Never panicked. Still flawed.  Iowa State completely dominated Texas Tech Saturday in a 31-15 win that would …
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LEAP OF FAITH: Matt Campbell’s vision for ISU football sold Charlie Kolar four years ago

Oct 19, 2019; Lubbock, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones tight end Charlie Kolar (88) is tackled by Texas Tech Red Raiders safety Douglas Coleman III (3) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports There’s a prime reason Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell stresses consistency above all …
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PRETTY GOOD: Two ardent Cyclone fans savor home wins over Oklahoma spaced 60 years apart

Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; ISU fans cheer during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to defeat Oklahoma 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports  Bill Martin remembers the elation that enveloped the crowd at Clyde Williams Field after Iowa State beat Oklahoma 10-6 on Nov. 5, 1960 …
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NOTEBOOK: Brock Purdy “could have played a lot better,” Will McDonald’s pass rush prowess and more

Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) passes during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Oklahoma takes a 17-13 lead over ISU into halftime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports AMES — There may come a day when Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy offers up a glowing postgame assessment …
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THEY JUST KEEP FIGHTING: Kene Nwanwgu, seniors help Cyclones stun No. 18 Oklahoma 37-30

Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State celebrates its 37-30 win over Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports AMES — Kene Nwangwu has always been blazing fast. A “speedster,” as fellow Iowa State running back Breece Hall calls him. A “leader,” as Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell often refers …