ISU head coach Dan McCarney has made up his mind in his team’s quarterback race.

He’s decided to stick with both.

Bret Meyer and Austin Flynn have been splitting time behind center, something McCarney said will continue to happen.

“We like them both, we trust them,” McCarney said. “Both of them will play again Saturday.”

Even with Meyer and Flynn splitting time, the team seems to buy into the Cyclones’ new two-quarterback system.

“Right now we all like either one of them,” receiver Jon Davis said. “When they get in there, they both know how to lead a team and make their reads and get us the ball. They’re both good at that.”

Both quarterbacks have a completion percentage higher than 50 percent, something that, coupled with no turnovers, has McCarney very happy.

“No interceptions and no fumbles at quarterback, which is unbelievable,” McCarney said. “We have a good system and to have a chance to win games you have to protect the football, and respect the football. I think our quarterbacks have done a good job of that.”

Both quarterbacks have put up good numbers thus far, combining for nearly 350 yards in the air and three touchdowns. Meyer leads the way with 239 yards to Flynn’s 107, but Flynn has found the end zone once more than Meyer has.

“Whatever is going good, whoever is in getting the job done,” Davis said. “That’s who we’re going to fall behind.”

Even though they are in direct competition, Meyer and Flynn maintain there is a confidence and comfort level between them.

“He ran the offense down the field [against Iowa], and ran it efficiently. He came up a little short in the end, but he played well, especially that last series,” Flynn said. “I know he has confidence in me if I had the chance to go down the field, and I know all our teammates around us have confidence in both of us.”

They have also accepted their reduced roles, embracing whatever is good for the team.

“I take the first couple series, then Austin comes in and scores a touchdown in his first drive,” Meyer joked. “I think we’re getting used to it now.”

In each game, Flynn has hooked up with Todd Blythe for Iowa State’s first touchdown.

All joking aside, Flynn said he feels knowing both quarterbacks will play allows them to relax and play their own game.

“Bret doesn’t have to look behind and say, if I play bad I’m out,” Flynn said. “He plays the first quarter, I’ll play a handful in the second quarter and we’ll see what happens the second half. That’s a good thing right now for us. I don’t have to worry that if I play terrible then next week I’m not going to play a snap.”

The job security in the backfield also gives the quarterbacks a chance to take more vocal roles on the team.

Although both have been leading the team on the field, Flynn has become an emotional leader. During the Iowa game, Flynn led cheers from the sidelines, encouraging his teammates on both sides of the ball.

“I have a year under my belt,” Flynn said. “I think that’s something at the end of last season I needed to work on. It’s a leadership roll I’ve tried to enhance.”