44-17 Not as close as the score would imply

ISU looked hesitant in the first half, almost trying out their new uniforms. 5 interceptions and a few (5) touchdowns later, ISU emerged victorious.

Austin Arnaud got the starting job and looked the part marching the cyclones on most of their trips down the field. He appeared to have the better arm to Bate's legs, who had 50 odd yards and a fumble.

ISU will be working on turn overs (HANG ON TO THE BALL) as they had 3 fumbles in the game and open field tackles in practice this week. I don't have the actual stat, but it appeared that the jack rabbits had way too many yards after contact.

I have to give the game ball to the defense, who slaughtered the SDSU quarterback frequently, and dug ISU out of a few holes; from dropped punt returns and fumbles at inopportune times. How many D-linemen had interceptions? Seriously, these guys had at least one hand on the turf at the snap of the ball and picked off 3 passes, Kurtis Taylor rumblin and stumblin 60 yards on his return. I'm pretty sure I saw a linebacker stiff arm on his interception.

I was pleased with the 44 points, and had Gene wanted to run the score up, they could have had more. This will put pleny of confidence into next weeks showdown with Kent State. We CANNOT lookpast Kent State, and MUST be 2-0 going into the Sept 13th showdown with Iowa.

Kent State plays Boston College on Saturday, and I'll have more updates after that.

The following is borrowed from:
http://www.kentstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1568964&DB_OEM_ID=11400

Flash Facts
• Running back Eugene Jarvis enters this season as the nation’s leading returning rusher after gaining a school record 1,669 yards last year. He posted 1,975 total yards and nine 100-yard rushing performances as part of his record breaking season.
• Quarterback Julian Edelman returns to man the reigns of KSU’s offense after an injury-plagued 2007 campaign. He has amassed 3,177 yards passing and 1,113 yards on the ground in his two-year career as a Flash.
• Linebacker Derek Burrell (112 tackles) and defensive back Rico Murray (75) return to anchor the KSU defense after breakout junior campaigns.
• Kent State is 2-4 all-time versus current ACC member schools (1-2 vs. both N.C. State & Virginia Tech). Saturday marks the first home game against an ACC squad.

Up Next
Kent State returns to Ames, Iowa for the second consecutive year to face Iowa State next Saturday (Sept. 6) at 6:00 p.m. CDT. The Golden Flashes won last year’s meeting, 23-14, for their first win over a BCS school since 1987. Overall, the Cyclones lead the overall series by a 4-1 margin.

7 PM Kickoff

Expect more tomorrow, after I see ISU test their QBs on a team that gave up 50 points to UNI in the first half last year.


From ESPN:
Iowa State 34, South Dakota State 14: Gene Chizik had trouble settling on whether Austen Arnaud or Phillip Bates should be his starting quarterback. Both will look good Thursday against the undermanned Jackrabbits, who are making their Division I-AA debut.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/big12/0-1-282/Big-12-teams-should-roll----or-there-s-something-wrong.html

In KC?

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS020602/80820021

This would be fantastic news! The 'Clones have always had trouble in Manhattan, and this would give ISU fans a better chance to see the game!

If you were at the last Arrowhead game (ISU vs. FSU) we nearly snuck that one out.

Updated 08/28/08 12:29 PM
Guaranteed 1.8 million and 40% of gate proceeds? Sign me up.

Check us out, non-conference season opener to be televised!

http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=1549081

Fall Practice Has Begun in Ames

http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=1513914