The last time Iowa State had a quarterback play an entire season without any controversy was Austen Arnaud in 2010.
So the latest controversy at quarterback in Ames is something Cyclone fans are used to.
It’s hard to be solely upset at Joel Lanning though. The Cyclones have plenty of other issues. Those all showed against Iowa in a 42-3 loss Saturday.
Sure, Lanning could have played better in the first two weeks of the season. But he does only have eight starts to his name.
Last year, Lanning took over full time after throwing three touchdowns in the second half against Baylor. He tossed a 74-yard TD to Allen Lazard against TCU the week before.
The majority then was calling Lanning the future of the program. He could do no wrong. A friend of mine even said if Lanning had played the entire game against Baylor, the Cyclones would have beaten Baylor.
Fast forward to right now and the majority is calling for Jacob Park to take over at quarterback.
Iowa State is once again in the middle of a quarterback controversy.
I do agree with first-year coach Matt Campbell. It’s not really a controversy in a coach’s first year. It’s a competition. Every position is open to competition.
Lanning missed a lot of throws against Iowa, and Park’s ball looks much better out of his hands.
But, Park was playing against the Hawkeyes when the game was not in doubt. It’s much easier to jump in and play when the game is already over, so let’s pump the brakes on Park for now.
The Cyclones have other issues. They can’t run the ball with Mike Warren.
The offensive line can’t block anyone. The defense was gashed on the ground for a second straight week.
It won’t get any easier for Iowa State, which heads to TCU after the Horned Frogs were upset in overtime last week.
The easiest people to criticize when things don’t go well are coaches and the quarterback. The back-up QB is always the most popular player on campus.
In 2015, Sam Richardson started the season but Lanning finished it. In 2014 and 2013, Richardson was the guy but some wanted Lanning or Grant Rohach.
Richardson made his first appearance in Ames when he took over for Steele Jantz in 2012.
That came one season after Jantz and Jared Barnett battled for the starting job.
Cyclone fans have seen this movie before, but the issues in 2016 go way beyond the signal callers.
While Iowa State is finding its way, the Hawkeyes couldn’t have played better against the Cyclones.
The offense in Iowa City looks like one of the best of the Kirk Ferentz era.
C.J. Beathard looks like an NFL quarterback. He made two throws to Matt VandeBerg that can only be made by NFL QBs.
Health will always be key to any Iowa team, but the Hawkeyes look to be better than last year’s team. Most of the wins last year were close and things just bounced their way in key spots.
The 2016 team may have more talent but win less games. It’s hard to expect another 12-0 regular season after all.
The Hawks are perfect in the red zone, the defense made improvements and Beathard is a difference maker.
Iowa fans don’t get teams like this every year. So enjoy the Hawkeyes’ success while it lasts. The program could be 6-6 before we know it.
Contact Troy Hyde
at thyde@newtondailynews.com