Iowa State hopes to avoid becoming "the next Michigan" – by losing to a one-double-A opponent this Saturday. The Cyclones host Northern Iowa for a 6p.m. kickoff. UNI has most of their starters back from last year’s team that fell to ISU 28-27, when the Panther’s Brian Wingert just missed a 51 yard field goal with :06 left.
Iowa State coach Gene Chizik says the tape from last year’s game will be helpful. He says they also watched the game from Saturday, and says UNI is very good at what they do. Iowa State is coming off a loss to Kent State, while UNI pounded Minnesota State-Mankato in their opener.
Chizik says there’s not much for ISU to gain by playing a I-AA opponent like UNI. Chizik says UNI is at the top of 1-AA football along with Appalachian State. He says this is a great in-state rivalry that excites fans.
Chizik says Appalachian State’s victory over Michigan certainly has the attention of the Cyclone players – but their attention is already "up" because of the loss to Kent State. He says it opens everyone’s eyes, not that they needed any motivation, but it certainly adds to it. Iowa State has beaten UNI in their last five meetings, with the Panthers’ last victory coming in 1994.