Bowl would complete Cyclones’ turnaround
|
AMES (MCT) — Paul Rhoads met one of his role models, Bud Grant, last June at a fundraiser in Decorah.
The first-year Iowa State football coach learned one thing, above all else after meeting with the former Hall of Fame Minnesota Vikings coach: Rhoads could never duplicate the stoic nature Grant displayed — especially while on the sidelines.
“You might say we’re on the opposite ends of style,” Rhoads noted Monday afternoon, light-heartedly. “I’ve never felt the players deserved to have all the fun.”
After his Cyclones (6-5) became bowl-eligible with a 17-10 victory over Colorado last Saturday, Rhoads celebrated in boisterous fashion, alongside Iowa State’s band and students.
“The enthusiasm and the emotion and the passion spill out when you’re doing your job,” Rhoads explained.
No member of Cyclone Nation would question the first-year head coach’s work so far. Iowa State has improved its win total by four games under Rhoads, which marks the biggest improvement of any program that has a first-year head coach this season.
The Ankeny native has helped Iowa State jump from two wins a year ago to six currently, which is slightly better than the job done by Steve Sarkisian at Washington (plus-three wins) or ... drum roll please ... Gene Chizik at Auburn (plus-two wins). Chizik, of course, bolted from Ames last winter.
Obviously, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard has gotten a nice return on his $950,000 per year investment in the 42-year-old Rhoads, who has already surpassed Chizik’s two-year win total (five) as a Cyclone coach.
“I’m pleased for Coach Rhoads,” Pollard said after the Colorado game, “because I know (a bowl appearance) was his goal to start the year. But I’m more happy for our fans — they’ve waited for this.”
That said, four 6-6 teams were shut out of the postseason a year ago, meaning it would be in Iowa State’s best interest to win this Saturday at Missouri (6-4).
“A lot of teams are at five or six wins right now, so the only thing we’re focused on is Missouri,” said Cyclone signal-caller Austen Arnaud.
Yes, before Iowa State can turn its attention to a trip to a bowl, it must trip up the Tigers who are coming off a 38-12 rout of Kansas State.
But the Cyclones, too, are collecting momentum. Rhoads deemed star Alexander Robinson “completely off” the injury list Monday, two days after the tailback ran through Colorado’s defense to the tune of 138 yards.
The Cardinal and Gold’s defense also held a third conference opponent to fewer than 10 points with its win Saturday, looking worthy of a postseason appearance.
“That’s what we work all summer for, to get to a bowl game and win it,” said linebacker Jesse Smith, the Big 12’s leading tackler (10.6 per game).
Rhoads said watching seniors like Smith excel — and absorb their coaches’ lessons -- is worth celebrating.
“It’s been fun to see how they’ve bought in and led this football team,” said Rhoads. “It’s been fun to see their faces and watch them celebrate.”
