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| | Sunday, September 3 Cyclones storming toward winning season | |||||
| By Todd Cooper Special to ESPN.com Iowa State Cyclones 1999 record: 4-7 (1-7 Big 12) Coach: Dan McCarney Returning starters: 17 (7 offense, 10 defense) Outlook Coach Dan McCarney is more upbeat than a pep squad on speed. Always has been. But this year, he says, there's a reason for his resounding enthusiasm. McCarney believes his team is about to turn the corner after a 4-7 record that easily could have been reversed last year. Iowa State lost three games by a total of 10 points, including back-to-back heartbreakers at home to Colorado (16-12) and Texas (44-41). McCarney said it's hard to swallow but easy to see why his team lost the close ones -- turnovers and special teams. The Cyclones simply couldn't hang onto the ball, finishing 108th in the nation with a minus-10 turnover ratio. And the special teams were second only to Missouri in futility. Kansas blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt with 26 seconds left to beat Iowa State 31-28 last season. Kicker Mike McKnight connected on just 7-of-13 field goals and the Cyclones averaged just 38.7 yards a punt. "We plan to spend more time than ever before with special teams," said McCarney, who is 13-42 in five years at ISU. "We are creating more awards and incentives so guys take it seriously." The biggest incentive might be winning. To do that, Iowa State must ride the arm of quarterback Sage Rosenfels and find a replacement for the Davis brothers at running back. Rosenfels completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,781 yards and 10 touchdowns. But he won't have Darren Davis to distract defenses. McCarney desperately needs a replacement for Davis, who along with brother Troy filled the backfield in every one of McCarney's five seasons. Ennis Haywood, a 5-foot-11, 206 pounder is the likely successor but he's more of a bulldozer than a dart-and-dodger. The defense should be stacked with size and speed. The Cyclones have 10 players who started at one point or another last season. The biggest concern is improving a defensive line that gave up more than 200 yards on the ground. McCarney will turn to a physical yet inexperienced linebacking corps to try to stymie the ground attacks. The list includes former quarterback Derrick Walker and former basketball power forward Stevie Johnson. After using up his hoops eligibility at power forward, Johnson will use his power at linebacker. "It should be the best defense we've had," McCarney said. "We have more physical players, more athletic players and our team speed is unbelievable." Keep an eye on ... Ja'Maine Billups, a true freshman tailback from Omaha. Coaches are salivating over their steal from Nebraska. The 6-foot, 192-pound dart isn't as stocky but he's already being compared to Darren Davis. It's a good season if ... Iowa State converts on its chance to win its first four games, which are all within reach. That kind of start will all but ensure their first bowl berth in 22 years. Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald |
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