Baylor Football: 3 takeaways from gritty road win over Iowa State

2. Takeaways for Iowa State

Head coach Matt Campbell likely does not want quarterback Hunter Dekkers throwing the football 36 times every game. If the Iowa State offense has that many pass attempts, it means they have too many third-and-long situations. That was the situation the Cyclones found themselves in very often in this game.

Running back Jihrel Brock had 73 rushing yards, but the rest of the team had -7. Iowa struggled to sustain drives all game long against the Bears’ defense. Iowa State had ten possessions this afternoon; they turned the ball over either with interceptions or punts on six of those possessions.

There was also the questionable decision to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter. It was fourth and goal on Baylor’s 11-yard line, and Matt Campbell decided to kick a field goal instead of trying for a touchdown. The Cyclones could have recovered the onside kick with a late opportunity to score, but a touchdown ties the game.

Fourth and goal on the 11-yard line mean the Bears will defend the endzone, but Matt Campbell has to be more aggressive in that situation. If you don’t trust your quarterback in that situation, why trust him having to go at least 50 yards for a touchdown? Either way, you need six points to tie or win.