Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard catches the ball for a touchdown against Northern Iowa during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday in Ames. Photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune
When Iowa State’s depth chart for Saturday’s opener was released, receiver Allen Lazard was listed as one of the starting punt returners. The move prompted many in the Cyclone fan base to question whether the potential Lazard offered in the return game was worth the injury risk.
The sophomore showed Saturday why ISU’s coaching staff decided to put him back there.
Lazard averaged 25 yards on his four punt returns against Northern Iowa, each of them setting up the offense with solid field position in the Cyclones’ 31-7 win over the Panthers.