The Iowa State Cyclones open the season at home tonight against Northern Illinois. It will kickoff Paul Rhoads second season as head coach and with a schedule that is one of the toughest in the country the Cyclones need to start out on the right foot. Rhoads says starting 1-0 adds to the credibility of what you have been doing in the 29 practices leading up to it.
Rhoads says the one game won’t make or break their year, but it is a lot better to get started with a win instead of a loss. Iowa State enters as a slight favorite but Rhoads says there are always some stunning results in the first week of the season. He says you have to be ready to play every game no matter who the school is and they are excited about the challenge.
Rhoads says it is no secret what Northern Illinois wants to do on offense, as he says they run the football very well and are physical and want to establish the run. Rhoads says Northern Illinois will provide a tough challenge. He says they are a sound football program with not weak spots.
Rhoads expects big things from senior quarterback Austen Arnaud, as he says Arnaud has improved mechanically and has a great grasp of the offense. Now he says Arnaud has to go out and be a leader and be productive before they will be satisfied with him.