Any time intrastate rivals square off, emotions run high. That will be the case for ISU associate head coach Bobby Elliott when the Cyclones face Iowa Saturday in Iowa City. The game holds special meaning for Elliott who is in his first year on the Cyclone staff. Elliott was a defensive coach at Iowa from 1987-98 and Saturday marks his first return to Kinnick Stadium. “Obviously it will be a very emotional day for me, but it’s not going to affect my performance. I’ve got to separate all of that and do what I got to do to help this team win,” Elliott said. Elliott’s duties at Iowa State include coaching the secondary and special teams. Elliott is being cautious about getting caught in all the talk considering his return to Iowa City so it doesn’t interfere with preparing his players for Saturday’s game. “I got to be careful what I’m feeling and do my job. The players have to deal with this too and they can’t get so emotional that they can’t perform,” Elliott said. Senior free safety Dustin Avey hasn’t noticed a change in Elliott during the week in practice. “Actually he’s been the same as last week and the week before. Of course he has some ties in Iowa City but I think he’s just taking this as just another game and he wants to win this as bad as any other game. He’s been on an even keel and I don’t see him coaching any differently,” Avey said. Elliott admits he still has a strong connection with the Iowa football program and isn’t too worried about falling victim to emotion Saturday. Helping Elliott is the fact that McCarney, a former Iowa coach, has no problem with going back to Iowa City to play his old school. “There’s nothing unusual about this. Dan McCarney had to go back to Kinnick Stadium for the first time too,and he’s learned how to deal with that, so I’m not unique in that respect.” “Except for one game of the year, I want them [Iowa] to win. I love those guys over there. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want them to beat us, but I’m pulling for them guys any other game,” Elliott said.