As the 2012 season nears, the ISU football team is trying to replace its kicking game from last season. The battle has come down to Cole Netten and Edwin Arceo.

“Both of them in the last few days have made field goals over 50; accuracy has been pretty good,” said ISU football coach Paul Rhoads after a recent scrimmage. “We have a dead-heat right now.”

During the 2011 season, Zach Guyer took on the bulk of the kicking responsibilities for the Cyclones, going 11-of-16 in fields goals and 29-of-31 in extra points. Grant Mahoney added some production, going 1-of-4 in field goals and 2-of-4 in extra points.

Now both have moved on, and the Cyclones are looking ahead.

With redshirt freshman Netten from Ankeny and junior Arceo, who walked on in 2011 and redshirted after two seasons at Iowa Central, Rhoads is comfortable with his options.

“What we have is the luxury of Cole Netten being a true freshman and having a redshirt season available and [of] Edwin having two years to play and could go,” Rhoads said.

During his senior season at Ankeny High School, Netten went 11-of-14 in field goals with a long of 47 yards, and made 48-of-51 extra points. Arceo played two seasons at Iowa Central, going 11-of-13 in fields goals and 68-of-70 in extra points.

For now, Rhoads is not worried.

“[We’re] not concerned with that right now because both are kicking well and we have that option,” Rhoads said.

New kicking rules could affect strategy

One thing regarding the kicking game Rhoads is currently sure of are the new rules that will be implemented for the 2012 season.

Beginning this fall, kickoffs will be from the 35-yard line instead of the 30-yard line, and touchbacks will be taken out to the 25-yard line instead of the 20-yard line.

Last season, the Cyclones kicked off 56 times with the result of 10 touchbacks. Rhoads expects that number to increase this season.

“I think there are going to be so many more touchbacks this year, and I think the play almost sort of gets taken out of the game,” Rhoads said. “If you get in a stadium like [Jack Trice] and you have the wind in your face, you’re going to have to play it.”

The new rules were recommended by the Football Rules Committee to prevent kickoff injuries after data showed more injuries in that phase of the game than in any other.

Rhoads said he does not think anybody on the offensive or defensive side will be upset with the changes.

“I don’t know if either side minds it,” Rhoads said. “We went back and charted our starting defensive position [from scrimmages,] and it’s been right there around the 25.”

Rhoads said in the past few seasons the average starting position for the Cyclones has hovered around the 25-yard line.

No matter what effects the new rules may have, Rhoads said he thinks they can be positive.

“If you can start [at the 25] with no risk of return as a defensive team, you don’t mind that,” Rhoads said. “Offensively we’ve been pretty decent, especially recently, in terms of returning the football. We sort of like that opportunity to return it.”

During the initial weeks of the season, Rhoads said the coaching staff will do a thorough study to see how teams are handling the new rules and adjust their strategy accordingly.