It was a different view, but ISU coach Gene Chizik saw all the makings of a first game.

Chizik, who made his head coaching debut Thursday night, watched his Cyclone team turn the ball over three times in a 23-14 loss at Jack Trice Stadium.

“My initial impression was it was a typical first game, where it’s a new offense, a new defense,” Chizik said.

Chizik’s first impression of his team varied during his first loss.

He watched junior college transfer J.J. Bass run for 106 rushing yards in the first half, followed by only 27 in the second half.

He saw quarterback Bret Meyer find Todd Blythe for a 16-yard touchdown and then throw an interception to close out the third quarter.

“I thought there were times where we showed some flashes and did what we hoped to do,” he said. “[But] there was a lot of first-game blunders.”

The blunders ranged from two missed field goals by Bret Culbertson to two interceptions by Meyer.

Meyer’s last pick resulted in a Kent State touchdown to make it 23-14.

“Our defense plays great, saves me the first time,” said Meyer, referring to Chris Singleton’s interception in the red zone after his first pick. “Just turning over the football, you can’t do that and expect to win against anyone.”

Iowa State, which held the Golden Flashes to zero points in the first quarter, were unable to muster up much offense. Most runs were stopped with turnovers.

As for Chizik, he said everything rests with him and his coaching staff now.

“Obviously this isn’t the way I would have liked the night to have turned out,” Chizik said. “But I’m going to wake up in the morning and, God willing, I’m going to go back to work and start again.”