Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads likes the challenge of growing the Cyclone fan base even larger. ISU released plans last week to close in the south end zone of Jack Trice Stadium, which will increase the seating capacity to more than 61,000. Rhoads says the intent of closing in the endzone wasn’t about expansion, but he says in the end they will be the third largest venue in the Big 12 Conference.
There are plenty of things to cheer about these days for Cyclone fans. The men’s basketball program is coming off a trip to the “Sweet 16” and Rhoads says growing legion of fans is obvious as they travel the state as part of the Cyclone Tailgate Tour. “The numbers are swelling, the energy is through the roof, there hasn’t been a better time to be a Cyclone of Cyclone fan for that matter,”Rhoads says.
Rhoads says he is asked the same question at every stop across the state. “Who is the starting quarterback? And I don’t have that answer and won’t have that answer until August,” Rhoads says. He says there’s also a lot of excitement about new offensive coordinator Mark Mangino.
Iowa State’s three-man quarterback race includes redshirt sophomore Grant Rohach, redshirt junior Sam Richardson and redshirt freshman Joel Lanning. The Cyclones open the season on Agust 30th against North Dakota State.