Peterson: Think there's a QB controversy at Iowa State? Think again. It's Kyle Kempt's team.

AMES, Ia. — It’s been said so many times that Iowa State quarterbacks have so many contrasting strengths that maybe some people have talked themselves into believing there’s going to be one of those annoying sharing things during 2018.

Kyle Kempt has perfected the art of making successful low-risk passes, they say. Zeb Noland has the bigger arm to stretch defenses. Situational usage?

Not on your life.

Kempt will be the Cyclones’ primary quarterback until he proves he can’t handle the job — whether the team needs 10 yards on a play or 65.

Noland will play, and he’ll probably play often — because that’s what backup quarterbacks do these days — not just at Iowa State, but everywhere.

His usage, though, won’t be on alternate possessions, plays or anything like that.

For what Iowa State wants to do, Kempt is a one-arm-fits-all kind of quarterback.

“There’s some things that Tom Brady, with the kind of arm strength that he has, might be able to do that Kyle Kempt isn’t doing, but Kyle’s proven himself enough that he doesn’t have to listen to stuff like that,” new quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon told the Register after his session with reporters after practice Monday.

Need a deep throw in a crucial situation, or a shorter pass to keep the chains moving?

Overthink it all you want, but here’s the deal:

Unless Iowa State stumbles out of the starting gate against a front-loaded schedule, this is Kempt’s team. Zeb, Re-al Mitchell and the rest will have to be patient.

“Kyle’s everything you’re looking for in a quarterback that’s won some of the biggest games in program history,” Gordon said. “He’s done the most with his opportunity.

“He’s proven that his arm is good enough to make throws to beat some good teams.”

Kempt completed 18 of 24 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns in the win at third-ranked Oklahoma. His big day included passing plays of 57, 54 and 46 yards, three second-half touchdowns and the weekly national quarterback award.

Kempt was at the throttle during an upset of fourth-ranked TCU, too, and yet there are still people trying to make a case that one quarterback is drastically different than the other.

One of the program’s internet hashtags in 2017 was #RaiseTheStandard. That’s exactly what Kyle Kempt did after essentially being a spectator the previous seasons.

He mostly watched Jacob Park and Joel Lanning try out for the position in 2016. He was the backup until the Park drama hit during the Texas game last season. He led two of the biggest wins in Iowa State football history, yet some want to overthink how he should be used.

“Kyle and Zeb are close, skillset-wise,” Gordon said. “We probably wouldn’t have a lot of contrast with those two guys.”

That’s coming from a guy who sees them daily. He knows the situation. If there’s any change-of-pace quarterback to be used, it’ll be with Mitchell, a freshman who everyone says has almost as must speed as Kene Nwangwu — the fastest player on the team.

Fans remember Hakeem Butler’s 67-yard spectacular catch and run touchdown against Baylor that came from a ball Noland heaved 40 or so yards.

Wow — Zeb has a gifted arm, was the takeaway, but...

“I’m really good at throwing check-downs, too,” Noland said. “I threw two bombs against Baylor, but I also made shorter throws in other games — and Kyle made long throws, too.”

Here’s Butler’s take:

“Kyle is more methodical. I wouldn’t say he’s low risk; it’s more of a calculated risk.”

Iowa State didn’t go through the paperwork to assist Kempt in getting an additional season just to have him signaling Zeb the plays from the sidelines.

And as for him being a low-risk guy — do you think that corner of the end zone pass he threw to double-covered Allen Lazard in the Liberty Bowl was low risk?

Remember this: Kempt started last season as a backup. He’d thrown just two meaningless passes in a blowout against San Jose State in his four seasons after high school.

You were expecting more than what he provided last season while going 5-3 as a starter?

“He hadn’t played,” Gordon said. “I don’t know who talks about the arm strength, but I don’t think that’s an issue.

“He’s beaten some really good teams.”

And isn’t that the bottom line?

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.