Jaylin Noel shifting focus to Cincinnati after stellar outing at Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Iowa State’s veteran wideout is coming off his best performance of the season, and despite a losing effort, he’s eager to get back on the gridiron.

Jaylin Noel left fans at Arrowhead Stadium speechless, with the way he shredded Kansas’ secondary throughout the afternoon. Although Noel took advantage of the spotlight in return to his hometown, it wasn’t enough for the Cyclones to overcome breakdowns defensively, and now they’re on a two-game losing streak.

Noel is one of several seniors on the team that want to finish strong down the stretch, but that’s going to require more leaders to emerge during this time of adversity. After all, Iowa State (7-2) is still alive in the Big 12 race, and will have to win out to have a chance to play in Arlington come December. Which is why Noel and his teammates are eager to correct all of the mistakes they’ve made over the past two weeks.

“We know that we have everything ahead of us, the goal that we want to accomplish is still there, so we’re focusing on Cincinnati,” Noel said. “Just one step at a time, we gotta be able to prepare this week, go out there and compete, because they’re a good team.”

There were a lot of bright spots from the loss to Kansas for Iowa State to build on. The Cyclones scored on their initial drive, and finished the contest with 36 points, which was the most from them on the road this season. Noel was big contributor to all of Iowa State’s production too. He hauled in eight passes, for a season-high, 167 yards and two touchdowns. Not to mention it was the fourth time this year that he eclipsed the century mark in receiving yards.

His soft hands, crisp route-running, and the ability to stretch the field on defenses makes Noel one of the Big 12’s most dangerous weapons. However, Noel understands that he can’t do it all by himself. The entire offense needs to be on the same page, and the players must share the same hunger in what should be an intense week of practice. No one is hanging their heads, and that’s important to Noel.

“We just gotta come back and attack, anytime we lose it’s going to hurt, we know we gotta get better,” he said. “So we gotta come in, no complaining, guys ready to go, attack the weight room, attack the film room and be better preparing throughout the week.”

It just so happens that Cincinnati (5-3) is also on a two-game losing streak. On top of that, the Bearcats are still fighting for bowl eligibility, and that makes them dangerous. Regardless, the Cyclones will be happy to be back at Jack Trice Stadium in front of their fans.

Noel is ready to pick up where he left off, and that’s a scary thought for Cincinnati’s secondary, considering he’s currently fourth in the conference in yards per catch. Coach Matt Campbell uses Noel in a variety of ways too, including jet sweeps, and reverses. No doubt the coaching staff is going to make sure to get Noel as many touches as they possibly can.

At the end of the day, Noel refuses to let his team suffer a downward spiral with so much at stake, even if they’re no longer viewed as the hunted. He’s confident that Iowa State can iron out all of the bad wrinkles, and build chemistry in practice, as a pivotal matchup looms.

“Small details, hurting ourselves, and putting ourselves in positions we shouldn’t be in.”