Jontez Williams out for the year

[madguy30]

So we have decent corners left? Make adjustments. You can ***** and moan (you’ve done an excellent job of that) or you can do what good coaches/leaders do; move on and work with what you have. I’m sure it matters more to the players than the fans.

What's missing in a lot of this is how much hand wringing there was over playing so many layers of positions in a couple of early games.

Personally I have the philosophy to take care of things first or at least get a good lead before it gets weird like the Arky State game did (the go-to complaint was playing an away game on turf being the reason for Kronrardy's injury), but I can also assume there's a calculation around it like having back ups play in real-game situations with some pressure.

It may have been the heat too but iirc they were subbing super early and often.

 

[isufbcurt]

I think most teams in our situation would still have most of their starters in. Arizona was still playing their starters.

Exactly. The team who is winning subs out starters when the losing team gives up and subs out theirs. Arizona was still playing their starters.

It's the same thing with our BB team, we don't sub out until the team we are beating gives up and starts subbing.

 

[Aclone]

Watch any NFL game and you’ll see it. It’s extremely common, pretty much expected actually.

There’s a portion of our fans that take any fair criticism of staff decisions as a personal attack. I really don’t get it.

You know that’s situational, right?

Not only had Arizona not pulled their starters—which was the signal CMC was waiting for—they even called timeouts late hoping to get the ball back. Even after we pulled our starters.

Which is the only reason CMC didn’t go to his default “take a knee” strategy that he’s content with, and wound up kicking a FG.

 

[Cyhig]

The injury to Jontez sucks, but I don’t understand all the endless posts about who should or shouldn’t have been playing at the end of the game. What is the purpose? Do people want CMC to quit, fire a coach, issue a public apology? What is the end game? I’m sure Matt feels worse than any of us about the injury. It was a freak thing. It wasn’t like they were playing Jontez in a manner that intentionally put him in harms way. They were just try to play out the game. Unfortunately, he was rolled up on by a teammate trying to make a tackle in space. It sucks but no one was trying to get Jontez hurt. We wish it didn’t happen, but why dwell on it.

This reminds me of a scene from the Apollo 13 movie. Two of the astronauts are arguing with each other, one trying to blame the other for the explosion. Then the third astronaut chimes and and says "We're not going to do this... we're just going to end up back here with the same problems! Try to figure out how to stay alive!"

So pointing fingers isn't going to accomplish anything. I always tell my son not to point fingers/blame someone else. When you point your finger at someone, only 1 is pointed at them, but three are pointed back to yourself

 

[Aclone]

Because Campbell is beyond reproach in some people's eyes.

No, he’s not.

Just pick an avenue of attack that isn’t dumb.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I was going to wait until I read more of the thread, but…you realize you’re just beating the whole “armchair quarterback” trope to death, right?

Patting yourself on the back?

Here’s how that “20-20 hindsight” trope works.

If Jontez hadn’t gotten hurt, you’d simply have been wrong. And that applies to anyone else you thought should be out of the game.

You’re saying you know better than our highly paid, proven coaches, who have people running situational analytics programs all through the game.

I still would have thought (and did think) it was a dumb decision. But I told myself, well we dodged a bullet when it sounded like the injury was minor.

And what’s the saying about ifs and buts. He did get hurt. I’m not hindsighting it cause at the time I wanted him pulled. That’s why was upset yesterday. Because I know what I would have done at the time, and because MC didn’t do it, someone got hurt. The only arguments of substance I’ve heard on why he should have been in the game are for “more game reps” and “AZ didn’t pull their starters”. Which I disagree with. The rest is just people name calling, dumbing posts, and saying I’m not a coach. Which doesn’t really bother me, cause those aren’t compelling arguments.

All that said, I still feel awful for Jontez, but I’m over it for ISU now that we’re a day later. I still think our safeties and Bell are studs, secondary just won’t be quite the strength that it was.

And I was never on a crusade against MC. I love CMC and don’t want him fired or anything. I think he made a mistake and hope he does it differently next time is all.

 

[State2015]

After Rocco, most important players on the team are Orange, Jontez, and Neal. If you're up 3 scores with a few mins left I am 100% OK with these defensive players sitting out. Build some depth and keep the guys safe. Doesn't change my opinion on CMC being the best coach in our history by a mile, just think it's something we should have done differently

 

[Texbudman]

Or the line got destroyed. From what I've seen they're not terrible at power blocking but very inconsistent with zone schemes. Abu consistently has people in the backfield on his runs.

I will say he appears to be “dancing” less while looking for a hole and is just hitting it up inside more than in the past. I think he is a very good back and a great compliment to Hanson’s power running

 

[VeloClone]

It seems like the same cadre of posters slamming the coaching staff for not taking ALL of the starters out early enough who bemoan ISU giving up late scores or not trying hard enough for an offensive late score so ISU doesn't have big enough winning margins to make a statement.

 

[not-the-manager]

Just catching up on the thread, but…

Tre Bell is now the anchor.

Quentin Taylor is probably next in. He’s been getting regular PT.

Beni, of course. All the length and athleticism, but still adjusting.

David Coffey hopefully will be back soon. He has as much potential as anyone.

All three of these guys, I’d feel better about in ‘26–but it is what it is. And experience now will help.

Eddie Lemos impressed coaches in the spring with his hard work and hustle, but has been hurt.

Mason Ellens also has high end potential, but has also been hurt.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they slide a safety over to help.

I find the question of why it seems like—in recent seasons—half the roster is dinged up at all times more interesting than whether or not Williams should’ve been playing when he got hurt. And yes, I’m aware that we don’t follow injury news about bench guys on other teams, but how many P4 teams are currently hoping they can get some fourth stringers healthy?…

 

[madguy30]

It seems like the same cadre of posters slamming the coaching staff for not taking ALL of the starters out early enough who bemoan ISU giving up late scores or not trying hard enough for an offensive late score so ISU doesn't have big enough winning margins to make a statement.

Williams and starting D goes out and AZ scores another TD with 3 minutes left to get the score to 36-22 after a successful two point conversion, which, by the way, leaves the door open for weird things to happen quickly especially with that QB and receivers.

Some on CF: 'What is with this staff and not having a killer instinct to finish the game strong!?'

Heck if AZ scores again but ISU still wins by like 8, there's probably a new thread about it riddled with 'concerns'.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I will say he appears to be “dancing” less while looking for a hole and is just hitting it up inside more than in the past. I think he is a very good back and a great compliment to Hanson’s power running

He's gotten better but it doesn't matter how good you are if you're getting hit in the backfield.

 

[Statefan10]

I find the question of why it seems like—in recent seasons—half the roster is dinged up at all times more interesting than whether or not Williams should’ve been playing when he got hurt. And yes, I’m aware that we don’t follow injury news about bench guys on other teams, but how many P4 teams are currently hoping they can get some fourth stringers healthy?…

It’s most fanbases. Obviously different injuries and to different groups but it’s not exclusive to Iowa State. Go look up what LSU is dealing with right now and their QB situation. Rumors coming out Nussmeier has been playing with a torn oblique and “insiders” saying he’s going to call it for the season.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

It seems like the same cadre of posters slamming the coaching staff for not taking ALL of the starters out early enough who bemoan ISU giving up late scores or not trying hard enough for an offensive late score so ISU doesn't have big enough winning margins to make a statement.

Come on we just lost our other starting corner a week ago. It's not a dumb take to think Williams could have been out and getting Taylor reps. Doesn't mean Jontez never gets hurt but it's not an unreasonable complaint. Campbell even said as much in the interview they were already concerned about corner depth and that's why Cooper was move before the season. I don't think Campbell needs to be crucified over it. I just think it's funny the guardians on here that want to complain about what people complain about. It's a ******* message board. Get over it.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

It seems like the same cadre of posters slamming the coaching staff for not taking ALL of the starters out early enough who bemoan ISU giving up late scores or not trying hard enough for an offensive late score so ISU doesn't have big enough winning margins to make a statement.

I don’t know if you’re grouping me in here, but I have never, ever complained about our margin of victory.

 

[VeloClone]

Come on we just lost our other starting corner a week ago. It's not a dumb take to think Williams could have been out and getting Taylor reps. Doesn't mean Jontez never gets hurt but it's not an unreasonable complaint. Campbell even said as much in the interview they were already concerned about corner depth and that's why Cooper was move before the season. I don't think Campbell needs to be crucified over it. I just think it's funny the guardians on here that want to complain about what people complain about. It's a ******* message board. Get over it.

Fair, but you could also say, "It's an injury in a violent sport, get over it."

People are welcome to vent. People are also welcome to call out dumb takes and/or inconsistent takes.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

After sleeping on it, just gotta hope next man up can play. Quentin Taylor Jr., let's see it young man. Prove the doubters wrong!

 

[fsanford]

After sleeping on it, just gotta hope next man up can play. Quentin Taylor Jr., let's see it young man. Prove the doubters wrong!

Exactly and you continue to build depth.
Last year's injuries were rough too, but it did a build a much deeper roster

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

This thread is like a car accident - you know you should drive past without looking but you slow to a near stop and gawk anyway! Unbelievable it’s made thirteen pages of the same people saying the same things over and over - for the love of gawd, just walk away!

Unfortunate injury to one of the top players on our team, a rare and valuable lock down corner - he’ll recover with time. Next man up! The Packers won a SB in 2010 with 15 starters on IR - we’ve got this!!! Go State!

 

[Cyrocks]

I'm not sure the point of arguing back and forth about this. It's done. Over. Can't change a thing.

Move on!