No matter who ends up with the job, Iowa State coach Dan McCarney says he is much happier with the situation at quarterback than he was heading into last season, in which the Cyclones finished 2-10. Sophomore Austin Flynn, senior Cris Love and freshman Bret Meyer are competing for the job and McCarney says several factors will determine who wins it, who moves the chains, and leads the offense. He says the player that elevates those around him and brings a spark to the offense will become the starter. Flynn says there has been no indication of when a decision will be made. He says it really doesn’t matter as both are trying to compete for the job every day. Flynn started seven games last season and feels the experience has helped him. He says he put a lot of stuff on his shoulders and he says that hurt him a little bit. He says he’s learned to shrug things off and go on to the next day and think about the next game and improve on what happened. Meyer was the leader during spring workouts but failed to lock it up in the spring game. The Atlantic native watched last season as a redshirt. He says it got tough at times, but he says the losing has motivated the team to do better this season.The Cyclones have recommitted to the running game and that should help whoever ends up winning the job. Meyer says he expects Stevie Hicks to rebound after getting health in the offseason. Iowa State opens September fourth at home against UNI.