Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads says the Cyclones will leave for New York City on Christmas Day. Rhoads and Rutgers coach Greg Schiano appeared at a news conference at Yankee Stadium this morning as a lead up to their meeting in the December 30th Pinstripe Bowl. It will be the first meeting between the schools.
Rhoads says,”We are thrilled to be representing Iowa State University in one of the greatest sporst venues there is, in one of the greatest cities there is, in one of the most exciting times of the year.”
Rhoads it will be an exciting way to close the season, a season he says where they have set a lot of records, including having over 50,000 people at every home game. Rhoads promised that they will “give you everything we have in this ballgame.”
Rhoads coached against Rutgers seven times when he was an assistant coach at Pitt, and called them hard fought, well played football games. It will be Rutger’s second game in Yankee Stadium this season after they defeated Army last month.
Schiano says it was “incredible” to play there and that game has a bowl game type atmosphere. He says Rutgers hopes to make a good showing. Schiano says it will be a chance for them to stay home for the holidays.
“Often times when you go away for a bowl game there’s an expense to travel and all those things, I think for fans to be able to get to the game and spend a day in Yankee Stadium is tremendous,” Schiano said.
Rutgers finished the regular season 8-4. Iowa State is 6-6.