By Beau Berkley
Iowa State Daily Sports Editor
1. After a lackluster season in 2013, Iowa State parted ways with five position coaches and tragically lost defensive line coach Curtis Bray when he passed away after suffering a pulmonary embolism. The Cyclones came into 2014 with a revamped staff headlined by offensive coordinator Mark Mangino, who coached Kansas to an Orange Bowl victory in 2009.
2. The ISU defense is led by defensive end Cory Morrissey, who leads the Big 12 in sacks with 3.5. Two weeks ago against Iowa, Morrissey notched 7.5 tackles and two sacks while going up against All-American tackle Brandon Scherff.
3. Kicker Cole Netten is also coming off a hot performance against Iowa. In the first half, Netten drilled a 47-yard field goal, the longest of his career, and then put the game away with a 42-yard game winner in the fleeting seconds of the fourth quarter.
4. After an injury-riddled season in 2013, quarterback Sam Richardson has improved under Mangino’s tutelage. Richardson has completed 66 passes for 591 yards and three touchdowns. Richardson also leads the team in rushing, which has been a sore spot for the Cyclones so far this season.
5. Quenton Bundrage, Iowa State’s leading receiver heading into the season, tore his ACL in the first quarter of the first game, opening the door for true freshman Allen Lazard. Lazard, a highly touted four-star recruit from Urbandale, Iowa, leads the team with 143 receiving yards.
