Iowa State Football: 3 overreactions from upset loss to Louisiana

3. Iowa State must have forgotten to practice special teams

What a nightmare it was on Saturday afternoon for Iowa State, watching Louisiana put the game away in the second half thanks to special teams.

Chris Smith had three kick returns for 137 yards, including a 95-yard touchdown. Eric Garror had three punt returns for 89 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown. Those are two things you simply cannot allow when playing a Group of Five opponent because that’s how you get upset. Special teams often decide games.

Iowa State didn’t attempt a single field goal but made both extra points, but the punt return game was non-existent. The Cyclones did get a 34-yard kick return out of Kene Nwangwu, but that was the only real positive from special teams all afternoon long.

It’s time Matt Campbell addresses the special teams issues all week at practice and makes sure something like this never happens again.

What a disaster.