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Jantz Gets Nod at QB for Iowa State

Sports

August 21st, 2012 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State senior quarterback Steele Jantz will open the season as the Cyclones starter.

Coach Paul Rhoads announced Tuesday that Jantz will start for Iowa State against Tulsa on Sept. 1, ending the competition between Jantz and sophomore Jared Barnett.

Jantz started seven games for Iowa State in 2011, but he was pulled in favor of Barnett after a foot injury and increasing ineffectiveness.

Barnett led the Cyclones past then-No. 2 Oklahoma State in late November, but he struggled in a 27-13 loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Jantz threw 10 touchdown passes and was picked off 11 times last season. Still, Rhoads says Jantz’s skill set is ideal for Iowa State’s spread offense.