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Updated: August 18, 5:57 PM ET Cyclones' success hardly trivial By Mark Wangrin Special to ESPN.com |
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Iowa State Cyclones
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Coach: Dan McCarney (36-57, 9th season) 2002 overall record: 7-7 Conference record: 4-4 Returning starters Offense: 7 Defense: 7 Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Hiawatha Rutland* (614 yds) Passing: Seneca Wallace (3,245 yds) Receiving: Lane Danielsen* (1,073 yds) Tackles: Matt Word (139) Sacks: Brandon Brown* and Tyson Smith* (6 each) Interceptions: Ellis Hobbs* (2) Outlook: Dan McCarney has a heckuva trivia question for you: Name the only school to finish in the top three in the Big 12 North each of the last three years. Because it's the ISU coach asking, you already know the answer, but the shock value of the Cyclone's rise to be in the mix in what used to be one of the strongest divisions in college football is still there. Even with the bulk of the offense returning, including the top four receivers, and a defense expected to be the best at ISU under McCarney, few are considering the Cyclones for a run at Kansas State's claim on the top spot in the North. Much of that is because of what ISU doesn't have. Senior quarterback Seneca Wallace, whose run-pass threat made the Cyclones' dangerous, is gone, leaving no clear-cut starter. "Hopefully we'll be good enough around the quarterback so he doesn't have to make every play,'' McCarney said. Tackle Jordan Karstens and safety JaMaine Billups head a defense that must get tougher against the run (88th, 174.6) to make the Cyclones true contenders. Keep an eye on: Cris Love Jr. The junior quarterback isn't a quick-footed playmaker like the guy he backed up the last two seasons -- Love is 6-5, 214 and more of a pocket passer -- but he's the first option to replace Wallace. Redshirt freshman Austin Flynn is more mobile but lacks experience. Key game: at Iowa on Sept. 13. Beating their instate rival is vital if the Cyclones are to take any momentum into a tough stretch that isn't as murderous as it was last year -- ISU gets OU, Texas and Kansas State at home instead of on the road -- but is still daunting. Road games at Texas Tech and Nebraska are sandwiched into that five-game stretch and a home game against Colorado awaits at the end of it. It's a good year if. . .: The Cyclones discover a capable running game. Even with Wallace's versatility, the Cyclones weren't able to establish their tailback, ending a streak of six years with a 1,000-yard rusher. Nagging injuries forced a tailback-by-committee approach. Hiawatha Rutland, injured over the second half of last season, should get first crack at winning the job, but look out for redshirt freshman Stevie Hicks Jr. Mark Wangrin covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.
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