Iowa State has always put in strong special teams performances since Paul Rhoads took over in 2009. Whether it be well timed onside kicks against Texas and Oklahoma State or a culture changing, albeit unsuccessful, fake extra point against Nebraska; river boat gambler Rhoads understands that special teams are the 3rd leg of the proverbial football tripod.
A constant through all those years was the punting game. First it was Mike Brandtner, then Kirby Van Der Kamp, and now Colin Downing. The kicking game was always mired in inconsistency, but that has been settled by Ankeny native Cole Netten.