Yoga is working for ISU’s Robinson
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| Iowa State senior running back Alexander Robinson struggled with staying healthy last year. As the Cyclones prepare for the season-opener on Sept. 2 against Northern Illinois, Robinson has been trying yoga to stay in shape. (Ben Frotscher/Daily News) |
AMES — Iowa State senior running back Alexander Robinson is willing to try it all when it comes to staying healthy.
Even yoga.
“It’s a lot more difficult than I thought,” Robinson said. “Initially, I thought it was going to be pretty easy, but it’s actually pretty difficult. And I have a Yoga for Beginners DVD.”
But after dealing with a nagging groin injury that kept him out of one game and limited carries in another game last season, Robinson is trying to be in as good of shape as possible when the season kicks off Sept. 2 against Northern Illinois.
“I’ve tried to take care of my body and health a lot better,” Robinson said.
Robinson is a key to the Cyclones’ success this season, running for 1,195 yards and six touchdowns last season as Iowa State won the Insight Bowl over Minnesota. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry on the ground when healthy.
“When you have a 1,200, 1,300-yard rusher and he did that in nine or 10 games of health, you have a key player,” Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads said. “We can’t control what happens in a game, and that’s where he suffered all of his injuries. Nobody takes care of their body and trains smarter than Alexander. We count on that to help his health as we go through the season.”
And Robinson will be a key cog as the Cyclones look to put more points on the scoreboard this season. Last season, Iowa State averaged 20.5 points per game — worst in the Big 12. Texas led the Big 12 with 39.3 points per game.
“We are going to be more productive as an offense,” Rhoads said. “We’ve got to get more big plays through our offense, and that will be through the wide receiver position.”
At wide receiver, tops on the depth chart are senior Jake Williams and juniors Sedrick Johnson and Darius Darks. Also listed on the three-deep roster is junior Darius Reynolds, sophomores Lonzie Range and Josh Lenz and freshmen Donnie Jennert and Keith Blanton.
“Darius Reynolds gives us a playmaker — a guy capable of taking a 5-yard throw and turning it into a 55 yard gain or getting behind the defenders for a 70 yard completion,” Rhoads said. “I also believe along with Darius were going to have some added depth from kids coming off their redshirts, as well as a couple incoming players.”
And the offense will only be better under center this season as senior quarterback Austen Arnaud enters his second year in the system. Last year, Arnaud threw for 2,015 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 13 interceptions.
“I wasn’t happy with where I was,” Arnaud said of last year. “I’m not going to lie, the spread offense is a tough offense. Learning that offense was one of the toughest things I did in my life. It was tough last fall.”
For Arnaud, it’s been an up-and-down tenure at Iowa State.
“This is my second year being starting quarterback in the same offense, which is kind of weird to say as a fifth year senior,” Arnaud said. “I embrace it. I wouldn’t change my experiences I’ve had in for anything.”
Rhoads said Arnaud has looked improved after spring workouts.
“I think Austen is our most improved player coming out of spring ball,” Rhoads said. “Two areas he needed to improve on — one his mechanics and fundamentals of playing the position of quarterback. Where he steps, where he follows through. He did a fantastic job of that in the spring and offseason. Secondly, his decision-making, which will improve because of better knowledge and grasp of the offense. I look for Austen Arnaud to have a very successful senior campaign.”
But with a year of knowledge and experience, Arnaud looks to take the next step.
“The word I would use to best describe him right now is poised,” Rhoads said. “He knows he’s a better fundamental football player right now. He’s not hoping, he knows he’s a better fundamental football player. He also knows and understands an offense fully as he enters. That he leaves room for little doubt.”
Arnaud also will be protected by a line that gained experience after last season. On the front five, four of those players return as letterwinners.
“A year ago, we had six players we could have put out on the football field and won with,” Rhoads said. “Right now, I think we have 10. We have a true two-deep that we can put out there and not just be scared to death if someone went down.”
In the end, it’s all about putting points on the board. Robinson is seeing progress from last season.
“I think we have the potential to, we just have to work on being consistent,” Robinson said. “I think that comes with the comfort level in the offense. We’re just going to work on it all year.”
