Matt Campbell praises Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels ahead of Iowa State matchup

AMES — Fresh off a loss to Baylor last Saturday, Iowa State football will face another tough challenge when the Cyclones travel to Lawrence for a Big 12 matchup against undefeated Kansas.

The Jayhawks hold a 50-45 advantage in the all-time series against Iowa State, but the Cyclones have a seven-game win streak that extends back to the 2015 season. Last season's matchup had the largest margin of victory between the two teams, with Iowa State beating Kansas, 59-7.

But this season, the Cyclones will face a very different Kansas team – at least based on how the Jayhawks have started the season.

Iowa State enters Saturday’s game as the top defense in the Big 12, while the Cyclones' offense is last in the conference after four games. Kansas is the No. 2 offense – and has scored the most touchdowns in the Big 12 – but the Jayhawks' defense sits second-last in the Big 12.

And in the middle of the two programs is a pair of head coaches with a lot of mutual respect.

“I think the reality is, certainly his (Kansas head coach Lance Leipold) path and our path here, it’s very similar,” Matt Campbell said Tuesday. “We’ve worked our way up from the ground up. Not many people can emulate what we do, because they haven’t gone through the journey we’ve gone through.

“That’s why we knew they would have great success and they have done a great job already. …I think it takes the right people to align programs the right way, and I think they have a very similar background and a very similar pattern to what we have had in our journey. So, I think there’s a lot of respect between both programs.”

More: Peterson: Iowa State can't stew on officiating. It's got undefeated Kansas to worry about.

Here is what else Iowa State’s head coach said on Tuesday.

Campbell impressed by Kansas quarterback

Jalon Daniels, the Jayhawks' starting quarterback, has quickly found a way to win at Kansas.

He's sixth in the conference in completions (66) and passing yards (890), but tied for first with 11 touchdowns. He’s good in the ground game too, with 320 yards and four touchdowns on 38 carries so far this season.

It’s a compilation of statistics that caught Campbell’s eye early on.

“I think (he’s) a guy that’s extremely confident, a young man that has got elite athleticism, his ability to really challenge you every time the ball is in his hand,” Campbell said. “His efficiency to make you pay in the passing game and has done a great job of it.”

More: Peterson: Iowa State football fan concern ranges from the offense and Kansas, to officiating

Part of the reason for Daniels' success can also be attributed to an offensive supporting cast that's only allowed one sack this season. Campbell recognized that, but also Daniels' ability to make plays quickly.

“I think they get rid of the ball with great efficiency,” Campbell said. “Ball’s getting out of his hands, not a lot of drop-back passing. …They played from ahead a lot. I know the West Virginia game, they were down but quickly got themselves back ahead in that football game.

“And I think that certainly helps you play in a system where you put the flow of the game in your hands, not in situations where you get to sit back there and hold the football for a long period of time.”

Injury updates on Jake Remsburg and Cartevious Norton

In almost every Tuesday media availability session this season, Campbell's been asked about the health of offensive lineman Jake Remsburg and running back Cartevious Norton. While Norton saw some snaps against Baylor on Saturday, Remsburg didn't. Here is what Campbell said about both their injury statuses:

“I would just say they’re both back. They were both back last week. I think we’re trying to navigate both of those guys coming back the right way. But both guys are back and ready to play.”

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State's Matt Campbell praises Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels