AMES, Iowa—Not long after Iowa State’s stunning 9-7 win at Nebraska last weekend, coach Paul Rhoads ran over to a small section of Cyclones fans at Memorial Stadium, pumped his fists in the air and grinned from ear to ear.
Rhoads has never been shy about showing his emotions, and he certainly wasn’t about to temper his enthusiasm after the Cyclones’ first win in Lincoln in 32 years.
Iowa State’s players appear to be just as excited about playing for their fiery new coach.
Rhoads, a native of Ankeny, Iowa, has pumped some much-needed life into Iowa State’s program, and his energetic style has helped the Cyclones shed their image as Big 12 afterthought.
“It’s awesome to see,” Williams said. “When we go on the field that’s how we are. We’re enthusiastic, we’re passionate about the game. And then when your leader and coach is doing the same stuff, it’s awesome.”
Iowa State (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) was a near-unanimous pick to finish last in the Big 12 North, but instead is just one game behind another surprise team, Kansas State, in the division race heading into Saturday’s game at Texas A&M (4-3, 1-2).
“It’s really fun and exciting to play for a guy like that, that cares so much and is as passionate for football as he is,” Iowa State punter Mike Brandtner said. “You can just tell in his voice when he talks, his demeanor. When he coaches us on the field, he’s always running up and down the field with us. It’s just, it’s really an honor to be able to play for him.”
Remember that Iowa State is essentially the same team that finished 2-10 last season under former coach Gene Chizik, who left for Auburn. But Rhoads and his staff has the Cyclones playing inspired football on both sides of the ball.
Their play has even caught the eye of Chizik, whose Tigers have dropped three straight and have the same record as Iowa State.
“I’m really happy for them,” Chizik said Monday. “Those are great kids and they deserve some good things to happen to them for sure.”
Iowa State’s defense, which was the biggest reason the Cyclones went winless in the Big 12 last season, has undergone a revival under defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.
Iowa State has allowed just 17 points in its last two games. The Cyclones also forced eight turnovers against the Huskers.
Iowa State’s offense, which was without injured quarterback Austen Arnaud (hand) and star running back Alexander Robinson (groin), played it safe against Nebraska and didn’t commit a turnover.
“I think we’re a physical football team. Some of those balls that were on the ground were a result of that physical style of play,” Rhoads said. “I think we’re becoming a smarter football team as the season goes along.”
In Texas A&M, the Cyclones will see a team that, in many ways, is a lot like them.
The Aggies, who were picked to finish last in the South, got drubbed by Kansas State 62-14 on Oct. 17 for their third straight loss. But Texas A&M responded with a 52-30 win over Texas Tech last week and sit just two wins away from bowl eligibility.
“Our backs were against the wall and I like the way our guys responded,” Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said. “I thought they fought and played together as a team real well.”
With two-thirds of the season in the books, Iowa State is within striking distance of a bowl bid—which seemed nearly impossible in August—and even has a shot at the Big 12 North title.
No one knows if the Cyclones will reach either of those goals this season. But after watching Chizik jump ship after just two seasons, Iowa State found itself a replacement who is excited to be in Ames.
Iowa State sent out a video clip of the Cyclones postgame celebration in Lincoln that quickly became a hit on the Web. Amid a raucous celebration, an emotional Rhoads told his team he was “proud to be their football coach.”
It’s clear the Cyclones feel the same way about him.
“The passion he has, the fire in his eyes before games. The way he emotionally speaks to us before and after games. He really, really makes you feel like he cares about this program,” Brandtner said. “That’s something that really rubs off on all his players.”
