AMES, Iowa—Iowa State backup quarterback Phillip Bates has quit the team, less than a week after not playing in a loss to No. 16 Kansas.
His father, Phillip Bates Sr., told the Cyclones on Thursday that his son, a sophomore from Omaha, was leaving the team effective immediately.
In a news release from the university, coach Gene Chizik said the school will grant Bates a release from his scholarship.
“I am disappointed that Phillip is quitting our team,” Chizik said. “Although I understand his desire to be a starting quarterback, I am extremely disappointed that he is quitting two days prior to a game.”
Bates, who wasn’t available for comment Thursday, rotated with fellow sophomore Austen Arnaud to start the season. He completed 11-of-24 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns, and he was the Cyclones’ second-leading rusher with 166 yards. But his playing time diminished as Arnaud settled into the starting job.
Arnaud, the more accomplished drop-back passer of the two, took every snap in Iowa State’s 35-33 loss to the Jayhawks. He completed 27-of-45 passes for a career high 268 yards and three touchdowns.
The move leaves the Cyclones without its backup quarterback for Saturday’s game at Baylor. Freshman Jerome Tiller will likely serve as Arnaud’s backup against the Bears.
Iowa State fans’ lasting memory of Bates will likely be the 38-yard pass he caught as a receiver against Iowa in 2007. That set up the game-winning field goal in Iowa State’s 15-13 win over the Hawkeyes.
Bates was an excellent quarterback at Omaha North High in Nebraska, shattering school records for passing yardage.
Iowa State officials said they will have no further comment.
