Iowa State coach Gene Chizik admits he thought the Cyclones would be further ahead during his second season at the helm. After starting the season with two victories the Cyclones have lost five straight and take an 0-3 Big 12 record into this weekend’s homecoming contest against Texas A@M.
"I’m disappointed, but I’m certainly, I’m in for the long haul," Chizik says. He says he’s in for the journey, but that doesn’t mean he has to like where they are at. Chizik says despite the tough stretch the Cyclones are currently in he is confident the program will eventually have success.
Chizik says he has no regrets in the two years since he has taken over and says they will get the job done. To make progress the running game must improve. The Cyclones are averaging only 95 yards on the ground in conference play and 67 of their 105 yards against Nebraska came on Alexander Robinson’s touchdown run.
Chizik says "It’s very disappointing" as he thought they would be farther along than they are with the running game. Chizik says a solid running game would take some pressure off the passing game, as he says anytime you become one-dimensional, then you have "major issues." He says they still have to try and run the football although they’ve been limited, so they can take some pressure off the passing game.
Chizik says the Cyclones offense has regressed in recent weeks. He says it’s troubling that they have to punt 8 and 9 times and struggle to get first downs. Things may look bleak right now but Chizik says there is still a lot that can be accomplished. He says he has the feeling they can go into every game with the chance to win, as he says the team is willing to work and wants to win, so they will always have a shot.