No one knew what to expect from Paul Rhoads and the Cyclones in their first year together on the field.

Only months after the program was left without a leader by the departure of former head coach Gene Chizik, Rhoads and his version of the team made it apparent that things would be different.

Against North Dakota State in Rhoads’ opener on the ISU sideline, the Cyclones gave a glimpse of their new wide-open offense under new offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

The Cyclones gained just 442 yards against the Division II Bison, but got two touchdown scores from wideout Marquis Hamilton — 39- and 42-yard strikes to the senior receiver from quarterback Austen Arnaud — and previewed what would become the team’s strong suit during the 2009 season: the running game.

Junior running back Alexander Robinson and Arnaud both rushed for more than 80 yards and each had a rushing touchdown in the 34-17 victory.

The following week was the low-light of the 2009 season, as the Cyclones fell to in-state rival Iowa by a score of 35-3. Iowa State’s struggles in the transition to Herman’s new spread offense were evident against the Hawkeyes. ISU quarterbacks Arnaud and his eventual in-game replacement, Jerome Tiller, combined to throw five interceptions in the loss — the biggest loss of the season.

Iowa State bounced back in the next two weeks by picking up back-to-back wins at home against Kent State and Army. The Cyclones’ 3-1 start meant that Rhoads became the first ISU coach to start his career 3-1 since George Veenker did so in 1931.

The two games that followed — against Kansas State at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and on the road at Kansas — would each come down to the wire and, unfortunately for the Cyclones, would stifle some of the hype surrounding the team’s 3-1 start.

Playing in the home of the NFL’s Chiefs, the Cyclones played much of the game without their top rusher, Robinson, who had suffered a groin injury near the end of the game with Army. Freshman Jeremiah Schwartz filled in for Robinson, going for 21 carries and 71 yards, but it was Arnaud’s performance that kept Iowa State in contention to the final seconds.

The junior from Ames had two passing touchdowns — including a 23-yard pass to junior Jake Williams to bring the Cyclones within one point with 32 seconds left — and added a rushing touchdown.

However, after the acrobatic, diving catch by Williams, Kansas State’s Emmanuel Lamur blocked ISU kicker Grant Mahoney’s point after try to preserve the Wildcats’ 24-23 win in Kansas City.

In Lawrence, Kan., Iowa State played in a shootout against the then-No. 16 ranked Jayhawks, and the game would once again come down to the Cyclones’ final offensive series.

Robinson returned to the field with his fourth career 100-yard game, going for 152 yards on 27 carries and getting two first-half touchdowns for the Cyclones.

As if to signify the offense beginning to hit its stride, Arnaud again was responsible for three touchdowns, but on the Cyclones’ final play he had a pass sail just a few feet too far of sophomore receiver Darius Darks’ hands, leaving Iowa State short on the scoreboard, 41-36.

Iowa State got its first Big 12 win in 12 tries against Baylor the following week, but the win over the Bears paled in comparison to what followed in Lincoln, Neb., on Oct. 24.

Iowa State played without both Arnaud and Robinson, but Tiller filled in and played mistake-free at quarterback and the ISU defense forced eight Nebraska turnovers en route to a 9-7 victory.

The win marked the program’s first win in Lincoln since 1977.

Iowa State was unable to carry the momentum of back-to-back conference wins any further, though, as it fell by scores of 35-10 and 34-8 to Texas A&M and Oklahoma State in its next two contests.

However, on senior day against Colorado, Iowa State would manage to bounce back and reach its sixth win.

The Cyclones got Robinson’s fifth 100-yard performance of the season as the junior from Minneapolis went for 138 yards on 30 carries against the Buffaloes. Robinson was the highlight for the ISU offense, though, as it only managed to get 310 yards. But, the defense forced three Colorado turnovers and didn’t allow a touchdown until there were just more than three minutes left to play.

The 17-10 win gave the Cyclones bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2005 season. However, with the successes of the rest of the Big 12, Iowa State was still not assured a berth in postseason play.

The Cyclones closed out regular season play with a 34-24 loss in Columbia, Mo., against Missouri, but a loss by Kansas gave Iowa State the No. 8 spot in the Big 12 and an automatic bid into one of the Big 12’s eight bowl games.

The announcement came shortly after the game against Missouri that the Cyclones would be heading to Tempe, Ariz., to play in the Insight Bowl against Minnesota.

Against the Golden Gophers, the ISU offense struggled and turned the ball over four times. However, Arnaud’s two touchdowns in the second quarter — a 9-yard run and a 38-yard pass to Williams just before halftime — would be all that the ISU defense would need.

At halftime with the score 14-3, Iowa State had outgained Minnesota 261-148 and had held the Gophers scoreless since a 36-yard field goal early in the first quarter. The second, though, was more of a challenge for the Cyclones’ defensive unit.

Minnesota gained 171 yards in the third quarter alone and the Gophers were able to tack on 10 points in the quarter to make the score 14-13.

The offenses were stagnant in the fourth quarter, combining for just 219 yards in the period. The only turnover of the quarter would ultimately cost Minnesota the game, as well, as quarterback MarQueis Gray fumbled on Iowa State’s 15-yard line to give the Cyclones the ball, and eventually the 14-13 win and Insight Bowl title.

The bowl win was the first for Iowa State since beating Miami University in the 2005 Independence Bowl.

Going forward, Iowa State will be forced to replace 20 graduating seniors, but will return captains Arnaud and Robinson.

Also, the offense will be entering its second year learning Herman’s spread system, while the defense must replace several starters.

The schedule for 2010 is what Rhoads called “a bear,” and features road games at No. 7 Iowa, No. 2 Texas and Oklahoma. The home slate isn’t going to be much smoother with games against No. 14 Nebraska and No. 18 Utah.