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2010 Season Preview: 10 Goals for Iowa State Cyclones Football

By on Aug 31, 2010

We have assembled a list of 10 attainable goals for Cyclone football in 2010.  The list of goals below goes in order from easiest to hardest to accomplish.

WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE

1.  Protect Jack Trice Stadium – Iowa State literally had to protect their home turf during camp when flood waters threatened the Jacobsen Building.  Players and coaches had to lay down sandbags to keep the flood waters out.  Now they must do it on the football field.  ISU will play seven games at home and they must win at least four, preferably five, if they want to reach the post season.  The home schedule consists of  Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

2. Win the neutral field game – The Cyclones will travel to Kansas City in week three to take on Kansas State for Farmageddon II.  The game was decided by a Kansas State blocked extra point last year with just seconds remaining.  The Cyclones need to win the game this year to feel good about bowl opportunities.

3. Win a road game – Sounds easy enough right?  Until you look at the schedule.  The Cyclones only have four road games and three of the games are against top ten opponents (#9 Iowa, #7 Oklahoma and #4 Texas).  I-State’s best chance for victory comes on November 13th when they travel to Colorado to take on the Buffaloes.

4. Go .500 or better in conference games – Iowa State went 3-5 in the Big 12 last year.  Getting to .500 in the conference would be a giant step in the right direction.  Winning four of these six games is the most likely scenario (Kansas State in KC, Texas Tech, Kansas, Nebraska, @Colorado, Missouri)

5. Beat a ranked opponent – The Cyclones should have several opportunities as six of their opponents currently sit in or just outside of the Top 25.  The teams include Iowa, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri.

6. Sweep the non conference games – Another tough task.  The Cyclones start the season with Northern Illinois, a team expected to contend for the MAC title.  A trip to Iowa City is up next to take on a Hawkeye team that some “experts” have in the national title game.  Next up is FCS power Northern Iowa who beat the Cyclones in their last matchup and gave Iowa fits last year.  The non conference schedule concludes with Utah, a team that has been a bowl champion in each of the last seven years.   Win all four of these games and it will be a good year to be a Cyclone.

7. Win 6 games and become bowl eligible – If Iowa State can accomplish the first three goals above then this goal is accomplished as well.   The main goal for all teams, every year is to make it to a bowl game.  It is a great reward for the hard work the players and coaches put in and it helps build the future of the program with the extra bowl practices.

8. Win the bowl game – Getting to a bowl game is great, but winning the game gives a team momentum heading into the off season.  Paul Rhoads is very clear that the goal every year for Iowa State is to WIN a bowl game.

9. Win the Big 12 North – On the surface it would seem to be a tough year to accomplish this goal with trips to Norman and Austin, but the other conference games are all winnable.  The only other conference road game is at Colorado, then there is the neutral field game against Kansas State and the rest of the games are at home (Texas Tech, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri).  If the Cyclones can go 5-3, with one of the wins coming against Nebraska, a Big 12 North title is a possibility.

10. Beat Texas or Oklahoma – Trivia Question 1:  When was the last time Iowa State beat Oklahoma at football?  Answer: 1990.  It has been twenty years since the Cyclones beat the Sooners.  Jim Walden’s team topped the Sooners 33-31 in Norman.  Iowa State’s all time record against Oklahoma (5-67-2).  Ouch.  Trivia Question 2:  When was the last time Iowa State beat Texas at football?  Answer: Never.  The Cyclones are (0-7) against the Longhorns.   Want people to respect Iowa State football?  The Cyclones will get respect nationally if they beat a ranked Texas or Oklahoma team at their house.

2009 Football Season Review – What Goals Were Achieved?

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2010 Season Preview: Projecting Iowa State’s Offensive Statistics

By on Aug 30, 2010

Expect a big year for ARob again in 2010, we are projecting nearly 1,700 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns

Iowa State football fans had huge expectations for Tom Herman’s offense in 2009.  The fans saw the huge numbers the Rice offense put up under Herman’s tutelage and thought that would immediately translate to similar numbers at Iowa State.  It didn’t.  Not that the numbers were bad, they just weren’t video game type numbers.

Herman likes to get the ball in his top playmakers hands.  In 2009 that meant giving the pill to Alexander Robinson.  Iowa State’s other playmakers such as Sedrick Johnson, Collin Franklin, Darius Reynolds and Darius Darks were either injured or battling illness for a majority of the year.  Even ARob was running on one leg for most of the year.  If we are going to see bigger offensive numbers in 2010 the players we listed in this paragraph need to stay healthy.

The other key to an increased offensive output this season is improved play at the quarterback position.  Austen Arnaud will be playing his second season in Herman’s offense and all indications are that he is due for a breakout season.  He has a much better grasp of the offense , he has worked tirelessly to improve his mechanics and he is putting in the extra practice time it takes to be great.  Arnaud describes the offense right now as being light years ahead of where it was a year ago.

We don’t expect Rice type numbers this year either, but we do expect major strides on offense, especially in the passing game.

Projecting player stats for a season is nearly impossible, but we love to do it anyway.  See below for our 2010 projections.

IOWA STATE CYCLONES – 2010 Offensive Statistics Projection

PASSING Comp       Att         Yards          TD           INT          Pct
QB Austen Arnaud –     254        406            3,112          19             12            63%
QB Jerome Tiller –           42           70               472           2               2            60%

RUSHING Att            Yards             TD
RB Alexander Robinson –         242              1306                6
QB Austen Arnaud –                    158                632                 7
RB Shontrelle Johnson  –             84                386                 2
RB James White –                            42                168                 1
QB Jerome Tiller –                          30                 146                1
RB Jeff Woody –                              32                  112                 3

RECEIVING Catches           Yards               TD
WR Sedrick Johnson                      46                    661                  6
WR Darius Darks                              60                  630                   3
TE Collin Franklin                           41                    476                   3
WR Darius Reynolds                      32                   397                    2
WR Jake Williams                            24                    302                  2
RB Alexander Robinson               28                   392                   4
WR Donnie Jennert                        20                   280                   1
WR Josh Lenz                                   29                     276                  0
WR Albert Gary                               15                     135                   0
WR Keith Blanton                             8                       99                   0

2009 Season Preview: Projecting Iowa State’s Offensive Statistics

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2010 Season Preview: Cyclone Newcomers – the REDSHIRT FRESHMAN

By on Aug 30, 2010

The last set of newcomers we will take a look at are the redshirt freshman.  The 2010 group doesn’t have any starters, but we wouldn’t be surprised if all of the RS frosh see the field this year.

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN

Donnie Jennert is a matchup nightmare for cornerbacks

WR Keith Blanton #9 – Listed as a backup at one of the wide receiver positions.  Should be in the rotation with 6 to 7 others.

S Deon Broomfield #14 – Paul Rhoads and Bobby Elliott are very pleased with his play.  Could see some action in the opener with David Sims suspended.

QB James Capello #14 – Hand picked by strength coach Yancy McKnight as a guy that really changed his body in the last year.  Maybe a little more accurate then the other QB’s, but not nearly as mobile.

WR Donnie Jennert #12 – Donnie presents matchup problems for defensive backs with his 6-7 frame.  Jennert is another guy who did a nice job in the weight room.  Should be in the receiver rotation as well.

OL Kyle Lichtenberg #69 – Kyle is currently backing up Brayden Burris at Right Tackle.  Paul Rhoads mentioned he will likely be a three year starter.

DE Aaron Moore #93 – Stood out on the scout team last year.  Should see action this year at one of the end positions.

DE Willie Scott #50 – Moved over to DE from LB.  He needs to add some weight, but the coaches love his tenacity.

OL Ethan Tuftee #64 – Is backing up Hayworth Hicks at Right Guard and is one of the 8 or 9 offensive lineman the coaches feel good about playing.

DB Jansen Watson #2 – He will do most of his damage on special teams this season, but should also see spot duty in the defensive backfield.

RB James White #22 – Rhoads describes White as a guy that is tough to tackle.  Will see time backing up Alexander Robinson.

DL Walter Woods #95 – Battling his way back from an injury last season.  Not currently listed on the depth chart, but he could be by the end of the season.

RB Jeff Woody #32 – The walk on from SE Polk is #2 on the depth chart at running back and just recently was put on scholarship.  Woody will be called on to get the tough yards for the Cyclones and will be a mainstay on several special teams units.

DB Jacques Washington #10 – Jacques is a guy that Bobby Elliott is really excited about.  Washington is getting reps at the safety positions and the SAM linebacker.

2009 Season Preview: Cyclone Newcomers – the REDSHIRT FRESHMAN

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2010 Season Preview: Cyclone Newcomers – the TRUE FRESHMAN

By on Aug 30, 2010

The Cyclones brought in nineteen true freshman this year and while a majority of them will redshirt, a few will make significant contributions during the 2010 season.  The true freshman class played a big part in the 2009 bowl championship season.   Names like Josh Lenz, A.J. Klein, Jake Knott and Jeremy Reeves all played significant minutes.  We expect a similar number of true freshman to play this season.

TRUE FRESHMAN

The following group of true freshman are the most likely to play this season.

Shontrelle Johnson will get a chance to play early for the Cyclones

Shontrelle Johnson will get a chance to play early for the Cyclones

RB Shontrelle Johnson #25 – Shontrelle is a dynamic playmaker that will make an impact as a running back and on special teams.  Alexander Robinson has the #1 RB position locked up, but he shouldn’t have the burden he had last year with three capable backups in Shontrelle, Jeff Woody and James White.  Johnson is the running back that has the skill set most similar to ARob and is a great fit for this offense.

LB Jeremiah George #7 – George is a little undersized at 5-11 and 215 pounds, but Jeremiah has the determination and work ethic to contribute this season.  The ISU defense lacks depth at the linebacker position and for that reason alone, Jeremiah will be thrust in to action.  Jake Knott and A.J. Klein played on special teams and spot duty at linebacker last year and I think you will see a similar role for George this season.

WR Albert Gary #18 – Gary does not have a redshirt year available so there really is know reason not to play him in 2010.  It may be tough for him to break into the deep wide receiver rotation, but based on his highlight film from high school he has game breaking ability.  We could see him being utilized on some slot screens with his ability to make people miss.

P Kirby Van Der Kamp #13 – Kirby is in a fierce battle with Senior Daniel Kuehl for the starting punter position.  It sounds like Kuehl has the edge, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Kirby some this season.  In a perfect world it would be great if Daniel could win the position outright which would allow Kirby to redshirt this year.

WR Jarvis West #3 – West is undersized at 5-6, 154, but he is a very slippery runner.  The fact that he isn’t listed on the depth chart leads me to believe the staff would like to redshirt him.  If he plays in 2010 it would probably be to provide a spark to the return game.

LB C.J. Morgan #27 – Wally Burnham said in a recent interview that C.J. was the freshman linebacker that was most ready to see the field at linebacker.  With the limited depth at linebacker, Morgan may need to take some snaps as the year goes along.

The next group of players are likely to remain redshirted, but have made some noise.

RB Duran Hollis #1 -Duran a.k.a. Duck has been very impressive as well.  Duck has a different style then the other runners in that he is more of a one cut running back.  The staff likes both he and Shontrelle alot so they would like to redshirt one of them to separate them into different classes.

LB Floyd Mattison#19 – The freshman LB is said to have a freakish skill set.  Once again the lack of depth at linebacker could force Floyd in to action.

QB Jared Barnett will sit this year and learn from Austen and Jerome

Other freshman likely to remain redshirted that we need to learn more about.

QB Jared Barnett #16
DB Adrian Bennett #2
OL Shaban Dika #73**
OL Tom Farniok #74**
OL Jacob Gannon #65**
OL Bob Graham #78**
DT Brandon Jensen #62
DE Nick Kron #69
OL Ben Loth #56**
TE Pierce Richardson #89
DB Matthew Thomas #8

** Note on the Freshman Offensive Lineman – Paul Rhoads plans to redshirt the entire freshman class, but said to mark his words that this group of OL will be a dominating group in the Big 12 in a few years.**

2009 Season Preview: Cyclone Newcomers – the TRUE FRESHMAN

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2010 Season Preview: Cyclone Newcomers – JUCO Transfers

By on Aug 30, 2010

Iowa State brought in six JUCO transfers last year, but only one had a huge impact on the season.  Safety David Sims was a difference maker on the Cyclone defense.  He was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after leading the Cyclones with 5 interceptions and contributing 88 tackles from his safety position.

The Cyclones signed six JUCO’s again this year and similar to last year we only expect one or two to make an immediate impact.   Here is a breakdown of the JUCO newcomers.

The Cyclones will count on Anthony Young to provide depth in the secondary in 2010

JUCO TRANSFERS

1.  CB Anthony Young #4 – The 5-8 172 pound junior is currently listed behind starter Leonard Johnson at right cornerback.  Young will see plenty of time in nickel situations and will contribute on special teams as well.

2. TE Ricky Howard #81 – The Cyclones offense likes to go with two tight ends.  Collin Franklin and Kurt Hammerschmidt are ahead of Howard on the depth chart, but Ricky will see his share of reps.

3. WR Chris Young #15 (POSSIBLE REDSHIRT) – We had hoped that Chris could be the deep threat that the Cyclones have been lacking the last couple years, but Iowa State lists 8 receivers on the depth chart and Young is not one of them.  Chris has a redshirt year available so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him redshirt with a deep wide receiver corps.

4. S Durrell Givens #24 (POSSIBLE REDSHIRT) – Durrell has not cracked the two deeps even with the suspension to David Sims in the opener.  It could be a combination of him being a little banged up in camp and the emergence of redshirt freshman Jacques Washington and Deon Broomfield.  Givens is a candidate to redshirt this season as well.

5. OL Jon Caspers #57 (REDSHIRT) – Caspers asked to redshirt this year and the coaching staff obliged.  It appears the staff is high on Jon as he is already listed as the #2 left guard.  We expect Caspers to jump in and start at LG next year with the departure of Alex Alvarez.

6. DE Rony Nelson #31 (REDSHIRT) – Rony was admitted to school this year, but will have to redshirt.  Nelson will be eligible for competition in 2011.  The 6-2 250 pound Miami native was a sack machine at his junior college and should challenge for immediate playing time.

2009 Season Preview: Cyclone Newcomers – JUCO Transfers

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2010 Iowa State Football – Opening Practice Photos

By on Aug 7, 2010

Iowa State held their first practice of 2010 on Thursday.  The practice was open to the media and photographer Brad Fuller was there to catch the action.

2010 Iowa State Football Opening Practice on Flickr

Photo Gallery: 2010 Iowa State Cyclones Football Opening Practice

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

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Iowa State Cyclones Football Media Day Pictures 2010

By on Aug 7, 2010

The 2010 Iowa State football season kicked off with media day on Wednesday.  The Cyclones will look to improve on their bowl championship season in 2009.

2010 Iowa State Media Day pictures on Flickr

Photo Gallery: 2010 Iowa State Cyclones Media Day

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

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Women’s Basketball Photos – Iowa State vs Colorado 2010

By on Mar 22, 2010

The Iowa State women closed out the regular season with a 23-6 record and a second place Big 12 finish

The Iowa State women closed out the regular season with a 23-6 record and a second place Big 12 finish

Junior Kelsey Bolte carried Iowa State for the second straight game as the 13th-ranked Cyclones earned a 59-41 win over Colorado on Senior Day in Hilton Coliseum. With the win, Iowa State finished in second place in the Big 12 standings, its best finish since winning the title in 1999-2000. ISU concludes the regular season with a 23-6 overall record and an 11-5 Big 12 mark.

Photographer Steve Fry was there to catch the action. Check out the photo gallery below.

If you would like to save any of the pictures, visit our Flickr page.

Flickr – WBB Iowa State vs Colorado – Steve Fry

Photo Gallery: Iowa State vs Colorado Basketball

Photos by Steve Fry

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer


Collegiate Snuggie - Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama Crimson Tide National Champions Snuggie

Iowa State Snuggie

Collegiate Snuggie

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Men’s Basketball Photos – Iowa State vs Texas A&M 2010

By on Feb 24, 2010

Iowa State dropped a tough one to #24 Texas A&M

Iowa State didn't have enough to beat #24 Texas A&M at Hilton Coliseum

No. 24 Texas A&M held off a late Iowa State rally to record a 60-56 victory over the Cyclones Saturday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum.

ISU, which drops to 13-14 overall and 2-10 in the Big 12, could not overcome another poor shooting night, making a season-low 32.2 percent of its shots from the floor. It was the fifth-straight game where ISU failed to shoot 40 percent from the floor.

Photographer Steve Fry was there to catch the action. Check out the photo gallery below.

If you would like to save any of the pictures, visit our Flickr page.

Flickr – MBB Iowa State vs Texas A&M – Steve Fry

Photo Gallery: Iowa State vs Texas A&M Basketball

Photos by Steve Fry

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Collegiate Snuggie

Iowa State Snuggie

Texas A&M Snuggie

College Snuggie

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2010 Men’s Basketball – Not As Bad As It Seems

By on Feb 23, 2010

It has been a tough year for all Cyclones (players, coaches and fans)

It has been a tough year for all Cyclones (players, coaches and fans)

It has been a disappointing year for Cyclone basketball.  Iowa State fans thought the team would finally take a step forward this year.   All Big-12 player Craig Brackins returned, we finally had a slasher (Marquis Gilstrap), we returned experience in the guard court (Garrett and Staiger) and we had a 10 man rotation.  If everyone stayed healthy and out of trouble maybe, just maybe, this team could take on a very daunting schedule.

……..then reality struck.

Jamie Vanderbeken – injured (out for the year)
Charles Boozer – injured (out for the year)
Lucca Staiger – left mid year to play in Germany
Chris Colvin – missed several games to suspension
Scott Christopherson – mono (minutes limited)

It really shouldn’t be a huge surprise this team is 13-14 and 2-10 in the Big 12 Conference.  The schedule was a bear to begin with (which I will get to later) and to take it on with a seven man roster was a recipe for disaster.  I hate to say this, but Lucca leaving probably cost this team at least three or four wins.  The Cyclones did not have a sharp shooter to keep defenses honest, so opponents just focused on shutting down Brackins.  If Vanderbeken had been playing or Christopherson was fully healthy it certainly would have helped.

The Cyclones best win this year was probably the 65-54 win over Saint Louis (#82 RPI) in Chicago.  After the victory, St. Louis head coach Rick Majerus said something like, “I haven’t seen all of the teams in the Big 12, but if there are many better than Iowa State I would be very surprised.”  The Big 12 is much better than coach realized.  The Billikens are having a pretty good season, 17-8 overall and 9-3 in the Atlantic 10.  What would Iowa State do in the Atlantic 10?

Iowa State is lacking a big win this year, but they certainly shouldn’t be embarrassed by their losses.  If you look at the losses, 10 of the 14 came against teams that are in the top 30 in the RPI.  The other four losses?  Three came on the road to Big 12 teams, the worst loss was probably to Northwestern in Chicago.  Here is a breakdown of Iowa State’s losses this year:

Home Losses

#1 Kansas (27-1) (13-0) lost 84-61
#6 Kansas State (22-4) (9-3) lost 79-75
#13 Texas A&M (19-7) (8-4) lost 60-56
#16 Northern Iowa (24-3) (14-2) lost 63-60
#24 Texas (21-6) (7-5) lost 90-83
#29 Oklahoma State (19-7) (7-5) lost 69-64

Neutral Site Losses

#2 Duke (23-4) (11-2) lost 82-63
#94 Northwestern (17-10) (6-9) lost 67-65

Road Losses

#1 Kansas (27-1) (13-0) lost 73-59
#15 Baylor (20-6) (7-5) lost 84-63
#23 California (18-9) (10-5) lost 82-63
#38 Missouri (20-7) (8-4) lost 65-56
#48 Texas Tech (16-10) (4-8) lost 78-71
#103 Oklahoma (13-14) (4-9) lost 89-84

Should you be disappointed? Absolutely.  Should you be discouraged?  I don’t think so.

The team isn’t winning games, but they are getting better each game and leaving everything on the court.  I would be worried about the direction of the program if the players were giving up or the effort was lacking.  I will be cheering for these guys until the final whistle blows this season.

If you are a fan that has stopped supporting the program and abandoned the team in the middle season.   Ask yourself this question.  Are you really any different than Lucca Staiger?

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