Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers says his team has lofty goals despite low expectations from outside the program. Most preseason polls have the Cyclones at or near the bottom of the Big 12 heading into Rogers’ first season as head coach.
Rogers says the players have higher expectations.
It is the second straight rebuild for Rogers who had 75 new players heading into his one and only season at Washington State. The Cyclone roster has more than 80 new players.
As game week approaches, Rogers says clock and game management have been a focus in fall camp.
Defensive tackle Max Baloun (buh-loon) played at Washington State last season and sees a lot of similarities to this Cyclone team. Washington State finished 7-6 last season.
Baloun says the Cyclones don’t care about the preseason poll.
Sophomore running back Aidan Flora is one the players who stayed. The native of Adel says the Cyclones are confident they will be competitive.
Linebacker Caron Willich (willik) decided to stay at ISU for his final season.
Willich says they are not focused on preseason expectations.
The ISU program is coming off its best run in history but Willich is not concerned all of the changes will halt the momentum.
