by Scott Fuller
ISUISU.com
#7 Bret Meyer (6-3, 211) – Senior
Bret Meyer enters his senior season as the all-time ISU leader in touchdown passes (41) and total offense (7,979). Meyer will try to improve on a disappointing 2006 season in which he threw only 12 touchdowns and was intercepted 12 times. He should bounce back with a big 2007 campaign with Coach McFarland at the controls. Coach Mac likes a wide-open attack and will spread the ball around to the talented Cyclone receivers. Bret has focused on eliminating negative plays this off season and should look to the RB and TE more often in the new offense. I would expect the new coaching staff to take more chances with Bret this year with a capable backup QB (Arnaud) waiting behind him.
CMP ATT INT PCT YDS TD RATING
2006 Season 211 374 12 56.4 2546 12 117.77
2005 Season 227 368 10 61.7 2876 19 138.94
2004 Season 149 290 6 51.4 1926 10 114.10
2007 Prediction 250 400 8 62.5 3000 20
#4 Austen Arnaud (6-3, 222) – Redshirt Freshman
The highly touted Arnaud showed off a lively arm in practice as a freshman last year. Austen is a bigger, faster and has a stronger arm than Meyer, but he will have to wait another year before taking control of the offense. Coach Chizik has said we may see two quarterbacks this year, so expect Austen to see some action.
CMP ATT INT PCT YDS TD
2007 Prediction 16 30 1 53.3 165 1
#8 Phillip Bates (6-2, 209) – Freshman
Bates is cut in a similar mold to Meyer and Arnaud. Unless there are unexpected injuries I would expect Phillip to be brought along slowly and redshirt in 2007. The future looks bright for the former Omaha North Star who turned down an offer from Nebraska for a chance to be the next great Cyclone quarterback.
Others:
#18 Nate Mechaelsen (6-2, 206) – Junior
#12 Taylor Bennet (6-5, 200) – Freshman
