Iowa State opens the football season at home against Illinois State and the Cyclones say they are glad to finally play a game. ISU is a heavy favorite but Senior defensive lineman Nick Leaders says they won’t take their one-double-a opponent lightly, especially after UNI gave them a struggle a couple of years ago. Leaders says you’re almost more nervous because you don’t know what to expect.Leaders says the first game is tough no matter who the opponent is, because he says you need to get a game under your belt.The defense will try to stop former Cyclone running back Brian Thompson. He had nearly 900 yards for the Redbirds in 2004. Defensive back Nik Moser says they lived on the same floor as freshmen and they were friends and he says it will be fun to compete against him.