Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
The timing of Iowa State backup quarterback Phillip Bates' decision to quit the Cyclones' team was surprising, but the decision itself likely wasn't.
As soon as ISU coach Gene Chizik made his decision to go exclusively with Austen Arnaud in the Kansas game last week, it was only a matter of time before Bates would leave. As Chizik gave Arnaud more playing time in the last two games -- and as the Cyclones progressed offensively -- it made Bates' decision almost a certainty.
Chizik didn't make a decision before Arnaud and Bates in the spring and allowed both to play in the Cyclones' first four games. Bates threw touchdown passes in each of ISU's first two games and even rushed for a team-high 83 yards in the Cyclones' victory over Kent State.
But Arnaud turned the tide and firmly grasped the starting job after nearly leading a comeback against UNLV. Arnaud directed three drives of 80 yards or more in that game, including a drive in the final minutes of regulation that forced overtime in a game the Cyclones eventually lost, 34-31.
Bates' departure will put big responsibility in protecting Arnaud during the rest of the season. The Cyclones have two freshmen quarterbacks on their roster -- Brett Bueker and Jerome Tiller. Chizik had hoped to be able to redshirt the 6-foot-4, 179-pound Tiller to build him up physically for next season, making Bueker the likely backup for the Cyclones' game Saturday at Baylor.
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
