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Iowa State Football: 5 takeaways from Cyclones’ spring 2018

By Connor Muldowney

MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 04: Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on November 04, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 04: Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on November 04, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 04: Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on November 04, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 04: Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on November 04, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. The offense remains surrounded by questions

Iowa State’s offense ranked just 56th in scoring and 86th in yards per game in 2017, and it remains surrounded by question marks. Although the Cyclones return surprise star quarterback Kyle Kempt who was granted his sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, his top target, Allen Lazard, is off to the NFL.

Kempt is obviously the favorite to start under center, passing for 1,787 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions last season, but Hakeem Butler is the only returning receiver who finished with more than 300 yards in 2017.

Butler was solid for the Cyclones last season, catching 41 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns. The second-leading receiver who returns is junior Deshaunte Jones who had 28 catches for 273 yards. Matt Eaton, the third returner, caught 21 passes for 208 yards and four scores.

The offensive line may finally have an identity and David Montgomery is back to aim for another 1,000-yard rushing campaign, but the experience at important skill positions seems to be lacking. Will this cause problems in 2018?

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