For the ISU football team, Saturday marks the culmination of nearly eight months of hard work and anticipation.

The Cyclones — and their fans — have literally been counting down the days and hours until Saturday’s opener with the I-AA Illinois State Redbirds, and during this final week of preparations, everyone seems to be getting a little antsy.

“I am very excited about Saturday night,” said ISU coach Dan McCarney. “It’s just an exciting time and you can feel it all over this campus. We have to make sure that they’re ready and focused and anxious, but not too excited that we’re making errors.”

The Cyclones finished last season on a high note with a 17-10 Independence Bowl victory over Miami (Ohio), and have had big preseason expectations heaped upon them by the media. But McCarney said those expectations won’t mean a thing if the Cyclones lose their focus and don’t execute.

“Every season you see I-AA teams beat I-A teams,” McCarney said. “Why? Because they have more talent scholarships? No. Because they’re not focused and not ready; they beat themselves.

“That starts at the top with the head coach and the coaching staff that thinks it’s just going to happen because they’re Division I.”

The Redbirds were 4-7 last year, but McCarney said the Cyclones need to be ready for their best shot. He cited Illinois State’s game against Minnesota last year — a 37-21 Minnesota victory — as an example of why Iowa State must take the Redbirds seriously.

“We saw them put 480 yards on Minnesota in the Metrodome last year,” he said. “It doesn’t take much of that tape to figure out we better be ready to play. If we go out there and think we are just going to show up because it’s a home game and Iowa State is supposed to be a solid football team this year, we are in for a rude awakening.”

One of the reasons for the high expectations comes from the amount of experience returning on both sides of the ball. Returnees at nearly every position should make for an improved team from last year, which was made up of nearly all freshmen and sophomores.

“It’s a good blend on this team of guys that have some experience,” McCarney said.

Two of the most interesting storylines Saturday will be the return of defensive end Jason Berryman and the debut at receiver of former quarterback Austin Flynn.

Berryman’s return to the team during fall workouts raised some controversy, but coaches and players alike have welcomed Berryman back after serving his time.

“You don’t hear a lot from [Berryman],” said ISU senior safety Nik Moser. “He just goes out there and he does his job. It was Coach Mac’s decision, and once he was back we accepted him wholeheartedly.”

Flynn, a junior, will be making his first start at wide receiver on Saturday and will return kicks, providing the Cyclones with an added weapon to use aga

“I’ve always wanted to do that, honestly,” he said. “Being a quarterback they never let you do that.”

Flynn said his rapid growth in the position impressed many, including himself.

“It’s very exciting,” Flynn said of his switch to receiver. “I think I have exceeded at least my expectations.”

Flynn is equally excited about the opportunity to return some kicks.

Fellow receiver Jon Davis said he also noticed the speed in which Flynn picked up the position, but said he wasn’t surprised by Flynn’s progress.

“I knew he was an athlete and he would be able to do it, but I didn’t think he would do it as quick as he did,” Davis said. “Right when spring ball started he was doing really well. Overall, he’s done a real good job but it doesn’t surprise me that much.”

McCarney said he agreed, and also said it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cyclones use Flynn in a trick play or two throughout the season.

“Oh, yeah. Week one, week two, week three — you better be ready,” McCarney said. “He’s got an arm and he throws the ball better than I do.”

Flynn laughed off the idea when he was asked how many passes he’ll throw this year.

“Don’t ask me, you better ask Coach [Barney] Cotton,” Flynn said.

“If that’s something he’s going to do, who knows?”

Outside of a few trick plays here and there, Flynn said he feels comfortable that his position has been found and can concentrate on catching — not throwing — the ball.

“I haven’t taken one snap fall, spring or summer, so I think I got my spot,” he said.

Now that the final preparations have been made and the last depth chart slots assigned, McCarney and his team are ready to begin one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory.

“America comes alive when football begins,” McCarney said. “Especially college football, and especially here at Iowa State right now.”