Oct. 12, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; The Iowa State Cyclones head coach celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Head coaches have completed their weekly pregame press conferences ahead of Saturday's game between No. 9 Iowa State and UCF, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) at Jack Trice Stadium.

Here are the big takeaways.

UCF's quarterback situation

After starting the season with a transfer to Arkansas KJ Jefferson, The Knights made a change at the quarterback spot in their game against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Freshmen EJ Colson started Saturday's game – a 19-13 home loss to Cincinnati – and led the first two drives of the day.

This is the second year Jacuri Browna transfer from Miami, came into the game and was never shut out. He finished the game 13-20 for 207 yards with a touchdown and 84 rushing yards on 16 carries.

UCF coach Gus Malzahn said everything except that Brown was in charge during his press conference on Saturday.

“We’re still working on it, but he’ll be the first to take snaps with the first team (Tuesday),” Malzahn said. “We’ll see how it goes but I was really happy with the way he responded. It wasn't a big moment for him to be in real action for the first time. The other two times were actually just a kind of clean-up job. I thought he did some really good things. He gave our offense a spark.”

If it is indeed Brown on Saturday, it will be the fifth straight dual-threat quarterback the Cyclone defense has faced.

“EJ, I thought he did some good things in his first rodeo too, but Brown will be the first to take snaps in practice (Tuesday),” Malzahn said.

When asked if Jefferson would still be considered for the job, Malzahn said, “We'll see.”

Tablets help

Iowa State coaches on both sides of the ball have talked about the use of tablets on the sidelines during games this season and how much they have helped make in-game adjustments.

This is part of a new rule from the NCAA that allows coaching staffs to use the devices on the sidelines during games.

Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock spoke Tuesday about what it has done for the team.

“You can fix things, and I think the (tablets) help you tremendously,” Heacock said. “What’s happening now with (tablets) on the field – I think you can make some good adjustments. I think the most important thing is that you don't notice when something is happening – you can fix a problem. Or maybe you're not fazed by a defensive decision. “Man, it didn't work.” Well, why didn't it work? Was it bad schematically, or were we spaced out or whatever? So you can go back and do that defense and I know in the past sometimes we've executed something that we introduced during the week and called it one time when it didn't work. Then it's out. We can’t do that (anymore).”

Hindsight is 20-20, but perhaps we should have made a bigger deal out of the NCAA approving the use of tablets when Heacock is involved as a coach.

No wonder his in-game customizations look as good as ever.

“I think adjustments can be made – there are probably a lot more being made now than before,” Heacock said. “I think what you probably end up doing, if I speak for myself, is probably throw some of that stuff away and find the things that really work for your guys and that you have success with. And – whoever plays along, that’s part of it too.”

Start games slowly

Iowa State had a lot of challenges early in games and generally just got off to a good start on offense.

It's a problem trainer Matt Campbell knows the team needs to fix things, but he's still confident about his side over the next 45 or 50 minutes.

“I think our kids understand the value and I think that's something I would tell you: We have to get better because we're not going to win any more football games if we can't put together 60 full minutes of good football ,” Campbell said. “But I would also say that you have to have the mindset that the reality is that things are going to happen no matter how you get off to a good start or not. You have to have great leadership and character in the moments so that (say) the game isn't over until it's over.

“I've seen and been a part of other teams where you had success, and you couldn't handle that at the start of the games either,” Campbell said. “I think the one great thing this team has had all season is a great attitude in how to play: one moment at a time, one game at a time, one situation at a time and the ability to really focus on zero to concentrate.” That. Our efficiency can be better on some of these things, but I think our attitude was right.”

This mindset may have been on display in each of Iowa State's four wins over power conference opponents – the ability to make plays regardless of the score and remain unaffected by momentum is a big part of what makes them 6-0. start.

Pay attention to Iowa State's play calls on its first offensive attack and see if there are any adjustments there this week.

There isn't much clarity on the injury front

Campbell didn't say much about injuries to specific players this week. Here's what he had to say:

“I think all of these guys are really close,” Campbell said. “Wherever you are in the season, there are just a few guys that are broken. Hopefully we can get some of these guys back as we move forward. I do think Cael (Brezina) was really close to playing last Saturday – I would expect him to be a lot closer next Saturday. Dylan (Barrett) is in the same boat – no season-ending injury or anything like that. We will see how he progresses this week as we prepare and continue to follow our football team.”