Iowa State QB Purdy lauded for his toughness
Brock Purdy has undoubtedly made a name for himself during his four seasons at Iowa State, with the Cyclones quarterback earning the admiration of those around him.
Tom Manning spent three seasons around Purdy as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator, and he’s seen Purdy develop into one of the top competitors in the country.
“It’s hard to play quarterback somewhere for the extended period that Brock has played quarterback,” Manning said during a Cheez-It Bowl news conference Sunday. “When you come in as a freshman and play and you have been a consistent person, there will be high moments and there will be moments when it didn’t go so well. You’re going to get the praise that you don’t deserve probably and you’re probably going to get criticism that you don’t deserve.”
Purdy holds or shares a part of 32 school records, including career wins
(30), career touchdowns (80), career passing yards (11,966) and total career offense (13,129).
“To me, Brock Purdy, we talk about it all the time as, man, the one thing that we really kind of hang our hat on in terms of offensive football in our room is we feel is toughness,” Manning said. “Brock Purdy has paved the way for young people in our program and has probably inspired a lot
of people in our program, whether coaches or younger players; that every day he comes and he is on a pursuit to be the best that he can be, it is the same every day.
“Anybody that’s been an Iowa State Football fan for a long time, I don’t think that they will ever forget Brock Purdy and what he’s been able to do over his career at Iowa State.”
Added Clemson linebacker James Skalski: “Gamer is a good word to describe it. He makes things happen over and over again and creates something out of nothing. It’s going to be a challenge for us and we’re excited.”
Uiagalelei ‘healthy’ for the bowl game
Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei said he’s healthy heading into Wednesday’s game.
“I feel like right now I’m healthy, but of course, I won’t be completely healthy, but I’ll be perfectly fine to go out and play a game to my full abilities,” said Uiagalelei. “Eventually, in the offseason, I’ll get healthier and get 100 percent, but right now, I feel perfectly fine.”
The sophomore had a PCL knee sprain during the Tigers’ win over Louisville on Nov. 6 that didn’t require surgery. He also injured a tendon on his right index finger that required him to wear a
splint during practices.
Finding Hall’s replacement
Iowa State will be without the services of running back Breece Hall, who declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 20. Hall was the Cyclones leading rusher in the past three seasons and finished his career with 3,941 yards with 50 touchdowns.
In Hall’s absence, sophomore Jirehl Brock, who had 23 carries for 132 yards, assumes the tailback duties.
“Certainly, we feel like we have options, but Jirehl is a guy that’s played a lot of football for us,” said Manning. “Certainly, Breece has carried the football a lot more, as we all know. I think we have to get into the football game and see where we are at in terms of handing the football off and how much we can handle and make some decisions based on that.”