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Hawkeyes look to contain Iowa State?s Jantz
IOWA CITY (AP) ? Last year, Iowa State quarterback Steele Jantz played about as well as anyone ever has in the century-old rivalry between the Cyclones and Iowa.
Then Jantz essentially disappeared for 12 months.
He didn?t come close to replicating his four-touchdown performance in the 44-41, triple-overtime win over the Hawkeyes until last weekend. Jantz thrived in his second chance as Iowa State?s starter, ...
LUKE MEREDITH, AP sports writer
Sep. 30, 2018 9:46 pm
IOWA CITY (AP) ? Last year, Iowa State quarterback Steele Jantz played about as well as anyone ever has in the century-old rivalry between the Cyclones and Iowa.
Then Jantz essentially disappeared for 12 months.
He didn?t come close to replicating his four-touchdown performance in the 44-41, triple-overtime win over the Hawkeyes until last weekend. Jantz thrived in his second chance as Iowa State?s starter, throwing for a career-high 281 yards and scoring three TDs as the Cyclones beat Tulsa 38-23 in its opener.
The Hawkeyes (1-0) get another shot at stopping Jantz when they host Iowa State (1-0) on Saturday. Iowa coaches know containing Jantz will be critical, based on what they saw from him last season and last week.
?It was like his highlight reel,? Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of Jantz?s performance against the Hawkeyes in 2011. ?But he had a really good game Saturday. I think the difference now is he?s a year older ... he?s an experienced player, a lot more confident.?
The Hawkeyes have won 23 of the 35 games against Iowa State since the series resumed in 1977, including four in a row at Kinnick Stadium.
The Cyclones still can?t be certain whether Jantz will play like the guy who torched Iowa in 2011 or the one who lost his starting job a month later because of inconsistency and a foot injury. Jantz?s decision making and accuracy, two sources of consternation for Iowa State in 2011, appeared to be a lot better against Tulsa.
Jantz completed 32 of 45 passes with that lone interception.
?It?s all about decision making. Saturday was better but I still need to get better,? Jantz said. ?I feel a lot more confident.?
Jantz did most of his damage against Iowa last season with his feet. He kept plays alive by dodging defenders outside of the pocket, and Iowa knows it can?t let Jantz scramble his way to success for the second year in a row.
?Might be a good idea if we try to keep him contained a little bit,? Ferentz said. ?We kind of forgot that last year. And it?s easier said than done.?
