ISU Looks To Exit The Cellar (Again)

As the Cyclones enter the '09-10 season, they're looking to shake the dust off of the past 2 years and take again steps towards success. 

On media day coach Paul Rhoads said he feels that the team has made the necessary strides to get to where it needs to be for the Sept. 3 opener against North Dakota State.  Rhoads spoke Wednesday and said his team was filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

“We’re exactly where we wanted to be going into training camp,” Rhoads said.

Fans are hopeful, with Head Coach Paul Rhoads bringing in Mensa member Tom Herman for the Offensive Coordinator.  

Tom Herman joined the Cyclone staff after coaching at Rice since 2007.  With a reputation for engineering high-powered offensive attacks, and his first edition of the Owls reinforced that notion as they smashed nearly 40 offensive records and Jarett Dillard, Chase Clement and James Casey earned individual accolades. 

Over the last seven games of the season, the Owls averaged 374 yards passing and 496 of total offense, and set school season marks for completions (311), attempts (526), passing yards (3,517), touchdown passes (29), total offense (4,848 yards), first downs (279) and points (377).

Rhoads also brings in defensive genius Wally Burnham for the D Cooridator spot.Wally Burnham brings 40 years of experience to Iowa State as the team’s new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Burnham comes to Ames from South Florida, where he led a Bulls defense that ranked 10th nationally last season.

Burnham’s South Florida defenses ranked among the top 30 nationally in six of the last seven years. The Bulls ranked 10th nationally in total defense (287.6 yards per game) and run defense (95.2 yards per game) last season.

The cyclones completed their first week of practice on Sunday, going 6 am to 10 pm.  Rhoads was quoted by www.cyclones.com as saying his team really got down to business Friday after Wednesday’s media day and practice on Thursday.

“There is always a little bit of a thrill when you come back to practice for the first time,” Rhoads said. “The thrill lessens as the work picks up and that is to be expected.”

Rhoads said the first week of practice can be ragged.

“When you haven’t been out there, you are going to see mistakes as everybody gets into football shape, which is different than coming to camp in great physical condition.  They will come around.”