• Where: Trice Stadium, Ames
• TV: None
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud's eyes lit up when asked to describe what Thursday night's season opener means to him.
“I think guys are just ready to go,'' Arnaud said.
Arnaud and his teammates have waited nine long months for the chance to prove themselves. A lot has happened since the end of last season, including Gene Chizik's departure and Paul Rhoads' arrival as coach.
Iowa State, which finished 2-10 last season after starting 2-0, plays host to North Dakota State of the Football Championship Subdivision in Rhoads' debut as coach.
“It's been forever,'' Arnaud said. “Ten losses in a row. We're looking to avenge that right away. No one was happy with last year. To be honest with you, I think that's in the back of guys' minds, but it's a totally different deal now. New era.''
The biggest change Rhoads has made is adopting a no-huddle spread offense under the direction of former Rice offensive coordinator Tom Herman.
The attack should feature a healthy balance of running and passing plays, but it's much different than the more traditional scheme run by Chizik. The Cyclones will likely line up with at least three receivers on most plays, and Arnaud will do most of his work out of the shotgun.
Despite the uncertainty over Iowa State's new scheme, the offense is expected to be the Cyclones' strength.
Arnaud finished strong last season, ranking 23rd nationally in total offense with an average of 277 yards per game. He'll have plenty of options at wide receiver — a unit that has perhaps the most talent on the team — and a line that is big and experienced.
“Our offensive line has a chance to be physical,'' Rhoads said.
The defense, now under coordinator Wally Burnham, might be another matter. The Cyclones surrendered 35.8 points per game last season.
Though Iowa State returns six defensive starters along its front seven, those players will need to get more pressure on opposing teams. That would provide help to a revamped secondary that could surely use it, as Iowa State ranked 116th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game last season.
“We're going to be aggressive,” said linebacker Derec Schimdgall, a senior from Lincoln High. “Coach Burnham is an aggressive guy, and we're going to come after people.”
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