The bowl win was special because it proved that Cyclones have mastered overcoming adversity. Randy Peterson / The Register
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There’s been so much recent quarterback drama at Iowa State, that it’s about time to hear from the man in the middle.
How’s it going, Zeb?
“I’m trying not to let the carousel take the best of me,” Zeb Noland said before Saturday’s 21-20 victory against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl. “I’m not going to worry about it, because there’s not a single thing I can control. Not a single thing.”
The 8-5 Cyclones return a 1,000-yard rusher, many highlight-reel receivers, veterans along the offensive and defensive lines and enough linebackers and defensive backs that when athletics director Jamie Pollard insinuated that the Liberty Bowl victory was just the beginning — he’s likely correct.
But who throws the passes big-time receiver Hakeem Butler routinely turns into big plays? Who hands David Montgomery the ball?
MORE: Get the Sunday Register Sports cover from the Cyclones' Liberty Bowl win
Zeb or Kyle?
“I feel like I earned another year,” Kempt after quarterbacking Iowa State to its first bowl success since beating Minnesota in the 2009 Insight Bowl. “I only played half a season. This could be a short beginning, or the start of another chapter.”
He’s petitioning the NCAA for another season, based on what he said was being “run off” the Oregon State team after a coaching change, and after a complicated situation that led to inactivity while playing at Hutchinson Community College.
LOOKING BACK: 10 defining moments of Iowa State's 2017 season
Let’s assume Noland enters 2018 as the starter. Let’s assume the NCAA rules against Kempt’s request. Iowa State coaches have to go on what they know, and right now, they know that Noland is the only for-sure quarterback on the roster that’s taken a snap.
He was No. 2 on Iowa State’s depth chart when Jacob Park became suspended during the week of the Oklahoma game — yet third-stringer Kempt started the Cyclones’ 38-31 upset in Norman.
With Park’s recent quitting the team, and Kempt being a senior, Noland was in position to become the 2018 starter — until Kempt and Iowa State petitioned the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility.
PREVIOUSLY: Iowa State releases Jacob Park from his scholarship
And Saturday in the Liberty Bowl, it was Kempt who took Iowa State’s first snap, just like it should be. It was Kempt who completed 24 of 38 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
I praised Kempt repeatedly for handling very well his sudden start in the Oklahoma game.
There has been well-deserved praise given by Joel Lanning and Liberty Bowl MVP Allen Lazard, too. And David Montgomery and Hakeem Butler and JaQuan Bailey, as well, throughout the season.
The team had each others’ backs when Park fired verbal blasts on his way out the door a month ago.
PETE: My feeling on the Park transfer? Just disappointed that it came to this.
Throughout it all, Zeb’s been a model of composure, of poise and of self-control.
“When Jacob got suspended after the Texas game (and before the Oklahoma game), Kyle and I talked it out,” Noland said.
“We decided we’re going to put it behind us — and just try to put our team in the best situation at quarterback as we can.”
Kempt was 4-3 as a starter in what could be his final college season. Noland had a great learning experience.
So who’s team is it in 2018?
For now, it’s Zeb’s team. For now, anyway.
![ISU head coach Matt Campbell hugs linebacker Joel Lanning]()
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2018 projected starting lineup
Offense
SE — Matthew Eaton (Sr.): Someone mentioned this guy someday will be in the NFL, so there’s that about Eaton, who caught four touchdown passes during the regular season. "One word comes up with Matt and it's size," Campbell said. "He's got great length and really does a good job coming off the edge." He’ll be one of the go-to guys for whomever is the quarterback.
COLUMN: Lanning, Lazard raise the standard as faces of ISU's new era
LT — Jacob Bolton (So.): The 6-foot-5, 325 pounder was one of five offensive linemen in the 2017 recruiting class. The Georgia native was just one Jake Campos injury away from playing as a true freshman, but luckily for everyone involved Campos didn’t get hurt, and Bolton had an opportunity to learn as Jake’s backup. Bolton moves to the top in 2018 — assuming Campos’ college career is finished. And assuming Iowa State doesn’t grab a graduate transfer.
LG — Bryce Meeker (So.): He’s started eight games during his career, including seven during 2017. Robby Garcia’s eligibility expired after the Liberty Bowl, and his backup was senior Bryan Larson. Thus Meeker, who was this season’s starting right tackle until suffering an injury.
C — Julian Good-Jones (Jr): Two seasons, 24 starts in a row. That’s amazing. That’s a credit not only to Good-Jones, but also to the program’s weight-training staff, led by Rudy Wade. Good-Jones did well in his first season at center after starting his career as the right tackle.
WATCH: Liberty Bowl stage collapses as ISU celebrates victory over Memphis
RG — Josh Knipfel (Jr.): This former Hampton-Dumont star enters 2018 with 13 starts in a row. He’s another reason that next season’s offensive line could be Iowa State’s best in a while. He’s also another reason to believe that David Montgomery will have a second 1,000-yard rushing season in a row.
RT — Sean Foster (So.): Some insiders said he was good enough to play a season ago as a true freshman. Fortunately for Foster, however, he was able to redshirt. That learning paid off, after replacing Meeker. Foster also worked out at left tackle last spring — until it became clear that Campos had recovered from a broken leg that sidelined him during 2016.
TE — Chase Allen (So.): “Did anyone think Chase would be second-team All-Big 12 right out of the gate?” Campbell asked during a pre-bowl press conference? Iowa State doesn’t throw often to tight ends, so Allen earned his reputation primarily as a solid blocker during a rookie season that included starting nine games.
WR — Hakeem Butler (Jr.): "Hakeem Butler may be the most talented wide receiver in our entire wide receiver room." That gem was from Campbell way back in August. The most athletic of Iowa State’s very talented receiver corps more than lived up to the coaches’ preseason boast.
MORE: Butler makes absurd one-handed TD catch vs. Baylor
FL — Deshaunte Jones (Jr.): This has been a strong position, most recently with senior Trever Ryen. Jones was good enough to average 10.5 yards per his 25 regular-season catches.
QB — Zeb Noland (So.): It’s Zeb’s team, if the NCAA denies Kempt’s Hail Mary attempt for an additional season. The big-armed Noland played when Kempt was hurt. He led the team to victory at Baylor, a game in which he hooked up with Butler on a 67-yard scoring pass. That was the Cyclones’ second-longest scoring pass of the season.
RB — David Montgomery (Jr.): The leader of a position that’s just as deep as the receivers, Montgomery has a chance to become Iowa State’s first consecutive season 1,000-yard rusher since Ennis Haywood in 2000 and 2001. He better watch his back, though, because this crowded position includes Sheldon Croney, 1,000-yard rusher Mike Warren, Kene Nwangwu and Johnnie Lang.
TWITTER ANGER: ISU 'hosed' with Montgomery fumble call in Liberty Bowl
PK — Brayden Narveson (Fr.): The Chris Sailer Kicking publication listed Narveson as the best 2018 recruit kicker in Arizona and eighth-best in the nation. After committing to Iowa State last April, Narveson made 10 of his 15 field-goal attempts, including a 58 yarder.
Defense
DE — Matt Leo (Jr.): After redshirting in 2017, this Arizona Western Community College transfer is the likeliest to replace senior veteran J.D. Waggoner. The 6-7, 275-pound lineman chose Iowa State over offers from Arizona, Oklahoma, Mississippi State and UCF.
G— Ray Lima (Jr.): Here’s what Campbell said about Lima last October: “Ray Lima — to be honest with you — if you really study the tape, is kind of the unsung hero right now of what’s going on, on that defense.” He plugged holes. He rushed quarterbacks. He was a reason the Cyclones limited opponents to an average of 134 rushing yards a game.
HE SAID THAT?: Campbell's surprising message to his defense before its last stand
DT — Enyi Uwazurike (So.): He came to Iowa State as a defensive end and played mostly in the middle throughout 2017. He’s adaptable when the Cyclones play three-man defensive fronts — which is often. The 6-6, 288 pounder played behind veteran Vernell Trent this season.
DE — JaQuan Bailey (Jr.): A two-season starter, Bailey’s seven sacks was a team high. He’ll enter next season with 20 starts in a row, the second-longest starting streak on the team.
LB — Marcel Spears (Jr.): Remember his 61-yard fourth-quarter pick-six that sealed the Cyclones’ win at Texas Tech? How about his interception of a Kenny Hill pass that ended TCU’s final-drive hope to avoid being upset in Ames? The Liberty Bowl was his 13th start in a row.
RELATED: The turning point that sparked Marcel Spears Jr.'s big season
LB —Tymar Sutton (So.): He backed up the best linebacker on the team, playing behind Lanning. Sutton might have played as a true freshman in 2016, had he not been forced to redshirt after breaking a hand just before fall camp.
LB —Willie Harvey (Sr.): Who scored Iowa State’s first touchdown of the 2017 season? Willie Harvey, of course, when he jumped a route against Northern Iowa quarterback Eli Dunne and carried it 12 yards into the end zone. He entered the bowl with four sacks, second-most on the team.
Harvey on snatching a pass from Panthers QB Eli Dunne to return the interception for a TD midway through the first quarter. Tommy Birch / The Register
Safety — Lawrence White (So.): As Kamari Cotton-Moya’s backup, White didn’t get on the field much, but as Campbell said during bowl prep: “He’s one of those guys we have high expectations for.”
Safety — Greg Eisworth (Jr): He’s part of a solid 2018 recruiting class, the Trinity Valley Community College transfer chose the Cyclones over offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Houston and West Virginia. The 6-foot, 195 pounder started his career at Ole Miss, before transferring. "He could probably play all five spots in the secondary," Campbell said. "We knew we wanted to at least get somebody like that, that had some veteran experience."
NEW FACES: Meet the recruits the Cyclones landed on Signing Day
Cornerback — D’Andre Payne (Sr.): The Liberty Bowl was his 12th start this season, and 20th during his career. Payne was back at his natural position of cornerback after playing what Campbell's staff calls the "star" position in 2016. That's essentially a defensive back whose primary responsibility is defending a slot receiver — and Payne was good at it.
Cornerback — Brian Peavy (Sr.): A 34-game starter, Peavy said during bowl week that he’s “50-50” between returning for his senior season and opting for the NFL Draft. “Where Brian has improved the most, was getting people around him to come to his level,” Campbell said. “He’s taken the reins and said, ‘I’m going to make a difference in our football program.’”
Punter — Corey Dunn (So.): A 2018 transfer from San Francisco City College, the Australia native averaged 40.1 yards a punt last season. He’ll replace dependable senior Colin Downing.
Returns — Kene Nwangwu (Jr.): Remember 2016, when he averaged 26.4 yards per kick return — second in the Big 12 Conference and 15th nationally? He missed this season after tearing an Achilles, but he’s healthy again. "I even think he's faster," Allen Lazard said. Landen Akers (So.) handled most of the kickoff returns in 2017. Mike Warren (Sr.) also has experience at the position.
Memphis bar owner on ISU fans: 'They drank us completely out of Busch Light'
The bowl win was special because it proved that Cyclones have mastered overcoming adversity. Randy Peterson / The Register
"To me," Lazard says, "Joel Lanning is the greatest Cyclone of all time." Randy Peterson / The Register
Iowa State won its first bowl game since 2009, defeating Memphis 21-20 in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee. Watch as Cyclone players celebrate a little too hard, with the stage collapsing beneath their feet. Rodney White / The Register
Campbell nearly gets emotional on the podium
Allen Lazard heaps praise on Joel Lanning
Stage collapses as Iowa State football players celebrate Liberty Bowl victory
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.