One question was posed to Austin Flynn – the quarterback turned wide receiver – at Tuesday’s football press conference.

How many passes are you going to throw this season?

The question got a smile and laugh from Flynn, as well as an answer as to how the junior might be used in the ISU offense.

“Who knows?” Flynn said. “That may be a different weapon we can use. We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose.”

Both Flynn and ISU coach Dan McCarney hinted that he might factor into some Cyclone trickery.

“Week one, week two, week three – you better be ready,” McCarney said. “We know he has an arm; he throws the ball better than I do. He still may get that opportunity.”

Aside from his new position at receiver, Flynn will also get the chance to return kicks.

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

After starting at quarterback in 2003, Flynn lost the job to Bret Meyer. With a valuable athlete sitting on the bench, the ISU coaching staff switched him to receiver during spring practice.

“I never knew that he could be this good at wide receiver,” McCarney said. “I thought he could be a good, solid wide receiver, but I didn’t know until I watched him scrimmage and practice.

“He’s exciting to watch. Barring injury, I would be surprised if he doesn’t go on to have a tremendous season at receiver.”

With a newly updated depth chart for the Cyclone’s season opener against Illinois State, McCarney presented his starting lineup.

– With three of the four starters in the defensive secondary string returning, senior LaMarcus Hicks has taken up the challenge of replacing Ellis Hobbs at cornerback.

Hicks saw time on the field last season, playing mostly in nickel situations. He recorded 45 tackles in 2004 and returned an interception for a touchdown against Kansas State.

“He played real good football as a nickel back last year, and starting last spring he has really done a nice job,” McCarney said. “He’s been our No. 1 since last March. We gave him that opportunity and he never looked back.”

Although the shoes Hicks has to fill are large, he said he isn’t letting expectations hold him back from excelling on the field.

“I don’t think it’s too much pressure,” Hicks said. “Ellis was a great player and he can’t be replaced as far as his heart and play on the field. I think I have expectations to come in and be a solid player.”

ƒ_› Bret Culbertson has firmly planted himself as the starting field goal kicker, but his backup has changed again. Junior Edgar Arceo – a transfer from Iowa Central Community College – has moved up to second string.

“He’s quietly gone about his business,” McCarney said of Arceo. “He gets the ball up quick and high; he has a smooth stroke. He doesn’t have the strongest leg in camp, but he’s been very consistent.”

– The starting punter position is one that hasn’t been decided yet, with seniors Tony Yelk and Troy Blankenship still battling for the position.