Iowa, ISU, UNI face conference contests

It is homecoming in Ames where the Iowa State Cyclones host 20th-ranked Texas. Austin Flynn and Chris Love competed all week for the job as starting quarterback. Cyclone coach Dan McCarney says no matter who ends up getting the call the offense must be more productive.Despite not getting a win in the series the Cyclones have played well against the Longhorns in recent years. McCarney says he doesn’t know why they’ve played Texas so close, he says they’re counting on doing it again.Iowa visits Ohio State in a clash of last year’s Big Ten co-champs. The Hawks have displayed outstanding special teams play in starting 5-1. Coach Kirk Ferentz the Buckeyes also shine in that phase.In their last two games the Hawkeyes have fallen behind 14-0 in the early moments. Ferentz says that trend must stop. Ferentz says the Buckeyes are confident and mentally tough. He says it starts with quarterback Craig Krenzel.U-N-I bids for six straight wins with a trip to Southwest Missouri State in Gateway Conference play. The Panthers are 2-0 in the Gateway. S-M-S is 0-2 but Panther coach Mark Farley expects a tough matchup in front of a homecoming crowd.A last minute field goal lifted U-N-I to a 25-24 win last year and Farley expects special teams to play a factor in tomorrow’s game.