Although it may be one of the more unheralded positions on the football field, the special teams unit has become one of the focal points of this year’s ISU football team.

With two of the team’s leaders filling key spots on the special teams unit, the Cyclones are looking for any spark they can get.

“Our special teams play is very important, and it’s an area we felt we let the team down in last year,” special teams coach Terry Allen said. “It’s been a focal point for us this preseason.”

Allen shares special teams responsibilities with DeMontie Cross, the Cyclones’ outside linebackers coach. Allen is also the associate head and tight end coach.

Iowa State averaged 19 yards per kick return last year, and just seven yards returning punts. It also averaged just under 40 yards per punt.

Tony Yelk and Todd Miller saw action last season, and both will be asked to contribute heavily.

Yelk will cover all kicking duties for the Cyclones when they open play against Northern Iowa, giving Iowa State an experienced kicker and punter it can rely on.

“I have to perform at a high level consistently, that’s the big thing that I’m striving for — to do my job well consistently and help the team win,” Yelk said. “Handling everything, there will be plenty of opportunities to help the team and now I just have to make sure I go out and do it.”

Yelk worked during the offseason with former Drake kicker and current Dallas Cowboy Billy Cundiff and with Todd Sievers, former University of Miami kicker and a draft pick of the Houston Texans.

The senior recognizes the importance of his position and the lift he can provide his team.

“Special teams is a big part of the game,” Yelk said. “Football is a game of field position and special teams have a big effect on that.”

Allen also knows how key kicking and returning can be, pointing out the fact that on average, one out of every six plays run by a team are on special teams.

With Yelk in control of kicking duties, Iowa State has been able to shore up its kick returners, adding a little depth to assist Miller.

Freshman Jason Scales and junior transfer Terrance Highsmith may see action, giving the two valuable playing time right away.

“Todd is the incumbent back there, he’s done that stuff before,” Allen said. “Jason is a possibility. Terrance Highsmith is going to be in the rotation back there and for kickoffs we could put Ellis Hobbs back there, so we have some flexibility.”

The ISU coaching staff sees the placing of its more inexperienced athletes on special teams as a way to speed up their adjustments to the college level.

“Coach [Dan McCarney’s] philosophy on that is, if they are going to play, you might as well get them on special teams,” Allen said.

Allen added that special teams won’t be their only time on the field, but the return position will be a place for them to gain experience.

“Those guys are going to help us out sooner rather than later, and just getting them on the field and being in front of crowds will help them out a lot, especially with [their] confidence,” Miller said. “Just getting out there and getting a feel for the game; it’s not high school and it’s not [junior college] anymore, so I think it will help them a lot.”