In college football, a defense’s success is often simplistically measured by its ability to generate sacks, as if a high number automatically signals a dominant unit. However, for a team like Iowa State, this viewpoint misses the core of their defensive philosophy. Under coach Matt Campbell, the Cyclones’ defense deliberately de-emphasizes the sack as the ultimate metric, instead focusing on a more foundational statistic: points allowed. This strategic choice is not a sign of a passive defense, but rather a calculated effort to win games by prioritizing containment and coverage over a frantic, undisciplined pass rush.Campbell and his staff
