2009 Iowa State Cyclones Football Preview
2009 Iowa State Cyclones season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Iowa State Cyclones football preview as well as the 2009 Iowa State Cyclones Football Schedule. If you dont know how to beat the odds, give Maddux's winning NCAA picks a shot.
Coach: Paul Rhoads (1st year at Iowa State)
Team Name: Cyclones
2008 Overall Record: 2-10
Returning Starters: 15
Since 2006, the Iowa State Cyclones (2- 10 overall, 0- 8 Big 12) have been in a tailspin. In the last three years, they’ve won a total of nine games. Contrast that statistic to the total of 14 wins they notched the two seasons prior. Those two years, 2004 and 2005, marked their final two bowl appearances. A new head coach comes in to shake things up. It will take some time and fans will have to be patient.
The Cyclones scored an average of 25.3 PPG and gave up an average of 35.8 PPG in 2008. The offense was ranked 59th while the defense tied for 100th nationally. New offensive coordinator Tom Herman has been brought in to jack up productivity. Junior QB Austen Arnaud (401 ATT, 247 COMP, 2,792 YDs, 10 INTs, 15 TDs) certainly has talent as a passer. He’s also a fine runner, gaining 401 yards in 109 rushes and scoring five touchdowns. Three vets return to the frontline to give him adequate time to set up plays and there are some fine sophomores at the wideout spots who look like playmakers. Darius Darks (49 REC, 477 YDs, 1 TD) and Sedrick Johnson (18 REC, 188 YDs, 3 TDs) have big upsides. Junior tailback Alexander Robinson (153 ATT, 703 YDs, 6 TDs) appears to have huge potential.
Last season, the defense proved to be totally inadequate. The first thing that must happen is the frontline has to pressure quarterbacks. Three of four starters on the D-line are seniors. Senior linebackers Jesse Smith (84 TKLs, 5 TFL) and Fred Garrin (63 TKLs, 1 SK, 5 TFL, 2 INTs) return with the most experience. Smith is a team captain and tenacious competitor. At corner, sophomore Leonard Johnson (47 TKLs, 2 INTs) looks to be a potential star performer, while senior free safety James Smith (85 TKLs) offers a wealth of experience. New D-coordinator Wally Burnham has some talent with which to work, but it will take time for the defense to develop.
There’s good news on special teams. Kickoff returns will be handled again by speedy corner Leonard Johnson (41 Kick RET, 1,081 YDs, 26.4 YPR). He’s a dangerous open field runner who can find daylight by cutting through the smallest crease. Senior Allen Bell will get a shot at bringing back punts. The kicking game is healthy. Last year, sophomore Grant Mahoney (33- 33 Extra Pts, 17- 25 FG) proved to be a solid performer as a true freshman. Senior Mike Brandtner (51 Punts, 2,124 YDs, 41.6 YPP, 19 In20) is an expert at his position. He’s never had a punt blocked.
Head coach Paul Rhoads, a rookie, inherits a challenging situation. With the departure of head coach Gene Chizik, the recruitment process suffered. But a new offensive scheme, two new coordinators and an emphasis on improving what was a porous defense last season, this team should win more than they did last season. Additionally, the Cyclones play a schedule that is overall fairly light. North Dakota State, Kent State and Army are all on the docket, while Texas is not. Iowa State will finish last in the Big 12 North and sit out the bowl season.
Iowa State Cyclones Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/3/2009 | Iowa St. | North Dakota St. | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Iowa St. | Iowa | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Iowa St. | Kent St. | away | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Iowa St. | Army | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Iowa St. | Kansas St. | neutral | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Iowa St. | Kansas | away | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Iowa St. | Baylor | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Iowa St. | Nebraska | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Iowa St. | Texas A&M | away | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Iowa St. | Oklahoma St. | home | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Iowa St. | Colorado | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Iowa St. | Missouri | away |
For more info on the 2009 Iowa State Cyclones football program, view the Cyclones website or read up on the rest of the Big 12 ncaa football teams below.
