All 12 schools from the Big 12 came together Monday in Dallas for the last time for this year’s Big 12 Football Media Day. The event began Monday with schools such as Baylor, Nebraska, Iowa State and Texas A&M hosting news conferences.

As expected, the topic of interest will be Nebraska and Colorado’s future with the Big 12. This upcoming season will be the last in the Big 12 for the Cornhuskers, while Colorado will switch conferences the following year. However, Nebraska’s coach Bo Pelini opened the news conference, announcing he would not be taking any questions about the Big Ten switch.

Pelini did field a couple of questions about how it feels going into his last year as part of the Big 12 but did not elaborate on the switch.

“I don’t anticipate any problems,” Pelini said. “Number one, the leadership of the Big 12 from Dan Beebe and his staff has been exceptional. So, I don’t anticipate any ramifications as far as that’s concerned. All we’re concerned about is playing good football and competing in a great conference.”

Coach Paul Rhoads, senior quarterback Austen Arnaud, senior running back Alexander Robinson and senior defensive end Rashawn Parker were all in attendance to represent Iowa State.

During the news conference most of the questions were in regard to moving forward from the success of last season.

“Our expectations are continuous improvement,” Rhoads said. “I know that sounds simple. A year ago, our objective was to improve. This program has a long way to go.”

“[The schedule], as I’ve stated, is very challenging,” he said. “Does that mean we can win more or less? I don’t know. But I’ve got a roster that’s going to prepare to win every game and play to win every game. That I can promise you.”

Heading into his second year as coach, Rhoads also said he anticipates improved play from Arnaud, calling him the team’s “most improved player.”

“[The most improved player title] usually goes to a freshman coming off a redshirt, or somebody of that nature,” Rhoads said. “He’s been somewhat handicapped because he’s been through three coaches, three position coaches and so forth, and he’s just now getting a chance to settle in to an offense that he could call his own.” Rhoads is also confident the team will continue to build off the success from last season. With a 14-13 victory over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl, the Cyclones won their first bowl game since 2004’s Independence Bowl.

“Winning the bowl game, capping the season, I think we launched ourselves into January,” Rhoads said. “I think that was evident in how the kids worked the entire off-season. I think that’s evident in how they approached it in a team-like manner all summer long. I think the bowl win was very much a large part of where we’ve gone in the last seven months.”

For more updates on the Big 12 Football Media Day as the week progresses, continue to check back to the Iowa State Daily website.