AMES, Iowa (AP) -Iowa State’s new spread offense triggered visions of receivers running all over the field and footballs filling the air. That was the idea, right?
Well, not exactly.
It seems the player who has benefited the most isn’t quarterback Austen Arnaud or one of the receivers. It’s running back Alexander Robinson.
The 5-foot-9, 187-pound junior has topped 100 yards in each of the last two games, including 143 on 23 carries as the Cyclones (2-1) beat Kent State 34-14 Saturday to snap a 17-game road losing streak.
M and Kansas State in 2005.
“The spread offense definitely opens up lanes for you and the offensive line has been doing a great job,” Robinson said. “It been pretty good for us so far.”
So far, Iowa State hasn’t become the Texas Tech of the Big 12 North – and that’s fine with coach Paul Rhoads.
the ball’s going to be thrown all over the yard,” Rhoads said Monday. “I tried to talk about our spread being unique and I think it is. I think we’ve shown that in bits and pieces through the course of the first three games.”
In the spread, Iowa State usually sends out four wide receivers on every play. That stretches the defense and creates gaps along the line of scrimmage. Robinson is finding those gaps.
Robinson has rushed for 326 yards and is averaging 5.6 yards a carry. He’s already nearly halfway to his 2008 season total of 703 yards and is on pace for the first 1,000-yard season at Iowa State since Hicks rushed for 1,062 in 2004.
The spread has been so beneficial to the running game that the Cyclones, who’ll be at home against Army on Saturday, have more yards rushing (628) than passing (521).
“You have to respect that we have four receivers on the field at all times,” Arnaud said. “We can find our gaps and creases up front and A-Rob is definitely small enough to do that. And when he gets on the edge, he has the speed to break contain.”
Arnaud’s running also has gotten a boost from the spread. He has averaged 5 yards a carry while rushing for 176 yards. Those numbers have been helped by the fact he’s been sacked only once.
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Robinson would second that. He’s generous in his praise of his linemen and is quick with a pat on the helmet or an encouraging word during games.
Just don’t look for him to be treating those guys to steak dinners after a big game.
“The size of those guys, I probably couldn’t afford it,” Robinson said with a smile.
Robinson and his linemen will face a major challenge against an Army team that ranks 16th nationally in rushing defense, giving up only 77 yards a game. The Black Knights (2-1) play a defense that puts linebacker Andrew Rodriguez 7 yards off the ball and allows him to roam the field and plug gaps as needed.
“All defenses want to stop the run,” Robinson said. “Obviously, they’ve been doing a pretty good job of it.”
The victory at Kent State not only erased the longest road losing streak among major college teams, it lifted the Cyclones’ spirits after their 35-3 drubbing by Iowa the week before.
“We measured our kids Sunday. They were all about an inch taller,” Rhoads said. “So I think a good bit was lifted off them and they’re ready to move on now.”
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