Jimmy Rogers vowing to fix Iowa State’s sloppy tackling on defense

AMES, Iowa — It’s no mystery that Iowa State’s defense got exposed in last Saturday’s 31-17 loss at home to Utah.

From missed tackles, to blown assignments, Coach Jimmy Rogers was disgusted with the Cyclones’ lack of execution. Which is why he’s making it a priority to iron out all of the wrinkles before Iowa State (2-2) resumes Big 12 play. After all, the Utes racked up 411 yards worth of total offense, and didn’t turn the ball over.

Rogers’ boys couldn’t find an for the Utes’ balanced attack, and the damp field conditions didn’t make it much better. On top of that, Utah averaged 6.9 yards per play, and that was unacceptable to Rogers.

“Us not being able to tackle at all today led to this, and we need to get better,” Rogers said. “You can’t give up 200 yards on the ground, and through the air, and expect to win a football game.”

Utah’s offense started fast out of the gates, and drove the ball right down the field on Iowa State’s defense. Not to mention the Utes’ first play from scrimmage was a 54-yard touchdown run by running back Wayshawn Parker, and that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Quarterback Devon Dampier also made the Cyclones look slow at times with his dual-threat skills. He led Utah on a nine-play, 90-yard touchdown drive that took over four minutes off the clock. The Utes successfully took the crowd of 52,000-plus fans out of the game with early execution from their offense, and that frustrated Rogers.

“I feel like they battled, but when it was crunch time, the defense didn’t stand up, and we didn’t get off the field,” he said. “Part of that is maybe the lack of ability to make space tackles, and those running backs are really good too.”

Parker looked like a man among boys with the way he bounced off would-be tacklers. Rogers is recognizing the inability to stop the run on defense is turning into a liability for his team. However, Rogers is refusing to hit the panic button, and believes he can fix those issues. There’s no denying that the opposition around the conference could possibly smell blood in the water now. Knowing the Cyclones can’t stop the run, might open up the floodgates as they navigate through the Big 12 gauntlet.

“I’m a little disappointed, I think at times we’re throwing our bodies in there, we were over-pursuing because they were so explosive, and those guys were cutting against the grain on run plays,” the 39-year old said. “Although everybody is feeling like you have to run to the football, you also have to be able to do your job, make plays, own your gap and be fundamentally sound in what you’re trying to do in the run game.”

Once the smoke cleared, Parker rushed for 174 yards, which was the most Iowa State has allowed all season. Dampier threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and was only sacked once. Rogers isn’t going to point the blame for the Cyclones’ shortcomings on defense though. The Arizona native recognizes that he has to take a long look at himself in the mirror, and take some accountability for it too.

Bottom line, it’s going to take some time for all the new players on defense to gel. Still, the Cyclones can recover from all of this by improving each day. With West Virginia invading Jack Trice Stadium next Saturday, Iowa State can’t dwell, and has to keep moving forward. The players are eager to recover. Regardless, Rogers needs leaders to emerge during this time of adversity. How the players come out of this is going to tell Rogers a lot about the character of his defense.

“Were they confused, did we give them too much, all of those things will be addressed when we watch film.”