After months of anticipation the Gene Chizik era begins at Iowa State tonight as the Cyclones entertain Kent State in the season opener for both. The Cyclones are looking to improve upon last year’s 4-8 record. Chizik says the players have worked hard and now its time to see how they perform in a game.
Chizik says he’s always lived under the theory that great players show up on game day. He says "who you are at practice, is not necessarily who you are on game day." Chizik says a first game answers a lot of questions, and he’s interested to find out who his team is. He wants to find out how they handle it if they go down two touchdowns, or if they go up two touchdowns. Chizik says he’s not really sure who the team is year.
With 16 starters back from last year’s 6-6 team Kent State enters this season with high expectations. Golden Flashes coach Doug Martin says one of the keys will be contending with the size advantage of Cyclone receiver Todd Blythe. Martin says you have to do a good job at the line of scrimmage and can’t let Blythe get a free release down the field.
Martin says the other thing they need is a strong pass rush and at the same time you have to do that in a variety of ways. Kickoff in Jack Trice Stadium is seven o’clock