Despite coming off a 2-10 season, head football coach Paul Rhoads said he feels that the team has made the necessary strides to get to where it needs to be for the Sept. 3 opener against North Dakota State.

Rhoads spoke during the ISU football media day Wednesday and introduced his team as one filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

“We’re exactly where we wanted to be going into training camp,” Rhoads said.

A portion of the conference focused on the new spread offense the team will be running under offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

Rhoads said junior quarterback Austen Arnaud’s experience has made the transition to the new offense easier.

“Any time you have an experienced quarterback in the position, you’re ahead of the game a bit,” Rhoads said. “A guy that’s been in the games, been in the battles and is tested, is critically important.”

Despite a deep talent in the running back position, Rhoads placed his confidence in junior Alexander Robinson, who is coming off a 703-yard season.

“Alexander Robinson is our number-one tailback,” Rhoads said. “He has the chance to be a very special player, especially in this system.”

Robinson will be backed up by running backs Johnny “Bo” Williams and Jeremiah Schwartz. Both have different, more physical running styles which Rhoads believes will complement Robinson’s due to the frequent personnel changes the spread offense sees.

Another area Rhoads focused on was the offensive line, which will return four starters and bring some much-needed experience. The size of the line was Rhoads’ focal point, as all five of the projected starters are more than or close to 300 pounds.

“We are pretty big there,” Rhoads said. “The line should be big, but the difference between January and now is that their size moves.”

On the defensive side of the ball, where the Cyclones rank near the bottom of the Big 12 in most categories, including: points per game, sacks and interceptions, Rhoads narrowed the team’s focus to one stattackling.

“It begins and ends with tackling,” Rhoads said. “We have to make teams earn it. They need to go the length of the field.”

While the defense is returning multiple starters on each of its levels, the quick tempo of the spread offense could result in the defense spending more time on the field.

“The defense is wide open,” Rhoads said. “We could be seeing as many as 10 or as few as two newcomers. We’ll just have to find out.”

Rhoads also announced that incoming players Joshua Bellamy, Taylor Martin, Princeton Jackson and Brandon Mims, are no longer part of the team.

The team’s first practice will be held Aug. 6, with the first scrimmage taking place Aug. 15.