October 12, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Carson Hansen (26) runs the ball for a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory credits: Ben Queen-Imagn images

No. 11 Iowa State traveled to Morgantown on Saturday and came away with a 28-16 victory and its first 6-0 start since the 1938 season.

Let’s discuss some takeaways.

Defensive injuries still take a toll

It may seem like this is a weekly conversation, but that is the reality we find ourselves in now. Iowa State has a group of banged up linebackers and some nagging injuries surrounding the defensive unit, but they still found a way.

Linebacker Jacob Ellis went down with a lower-body injury during the first quarter and did not return to the game, but the Cyclones never wavered.

With a trio of guys from small high schools in the state, the Cyclones found a way to hold West Virginia to 10 points and get the dub…

Those guys are stepping up

Regardless of what position Iowa State has found itself in this year, unsuspecting names have stepped up.

It goes beyond guys like Kooper Ebelwho has remained steadfast at the linebacker spot while others battle injuries or the running back room that delivers no matter who is on the field.

Saturday was true freshmen Beau Goodwin – a late addition to Kingsley-Pearson High School’s 2024 recruiting class. He had a couple big TFLs on the same drive to help slow down the West Virginia offense.

Continuous Rylan Barnes was second on the team with nine tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in his second game on the field.

Jamison Patton earned his first interception as a Cyclone and stopped a West Virginia drive in a one-possession game.

“I was in the right place at the right time, just doing my job and the ball came to me,” Patton said on the Varsity Network broadcast after the game.

And don’t forget it Jontez Williamswho has an interception three games in a row, allowing his team to win another turnover battle this year.

— By the way, aren’t we talking about a new linebackers coach? Colby Kratch enough? He overcame more adversity than anyone could imagine during his first year on the job.

That same kind of mentality can be applied to the running back room.

The Carson Hansen Game

Tonight it was like that Carson Hansen.

He was a bit overshadowed by it Jaylon Jackson a week ago, but his three drives to the end zone ensured he wouldn’t be there Saturday. Hansen finished with 96 yards on 20 carries, along with the three scores.

Iowa State has played three backs at the position all season, and each had his or her day in different weeks.

This staff may not deviate from the three-man monster approach in the coming weeks, but it’s a positive sign that Hansen looked as good as he did regardless. He was a down back on Saturday.

This was also reflected in the statistics sheet. Jackson had 19 yards on 12 carries Abu Sama got six yards on two attempts. They didn’t move away from number 26.

Progress in the search for a third wideout

In other matters that have come up almost weekly this year, Iowa State still hasn’t found its third true standout at wide receiver, but it could be closer after tonight.

North Dakota State Transfer Eli Green found a 12-yard reception to convert on 3rd and long, then got the ball again on the ensuing play, taking the ball 34 yards downfield.

The pair of plays aided Iowa State’s drive, putting the Cyclones up 21-10 in the fourth quarter, ultimately leading to the victory.

That does not mean that all problems have been solved, but it is progress

Continuous Carson Brown had another reception, and Isaiah Alston has had clearances on the field, just no catches.

The search is far from over, but more progress was made tonight than in the last three games.

…

Iowa State could have top 10 teams in men’s basketball, women’s basketball and wrestling in the coming weeks.

Things are going well right now, and the only thing standing between Iowa State and the next bye week is a 3-3 UCF team.

Oh, and an extra stat: Iowa State repeated three uniform combinations in road games for the first time in the Matt Campbell era – the last time the Cyclones repeated three combinations in home/road games, Brock Purdy led the team to an all-around Fiesta Bowl black.

Enjoy this, I’ll have more in Musings on Monday, bright and early.

“I thought our kids had good balance early,” head coach said Matt Campbell said. “It’s a great football environment, I think we knew that… Our mantra was ‘the louder they get, the harder we play.'”