Entering the 1999 season, the Cyclone secondary was a little stronger, a little quicker and a little more experienced.

Last Thursday against the Sycamores of Indiana State, those little improvements added up to the best statistical performance by the backfield since 1995.

Iowa State held Sycamore quarterback Sheraton Fox to just three completions and 18 passing yards on 13 attempts. In addition, Jeff Waters and Doug Densmore each picked off a pass.

“They played awfully hard out there,” coach Paul Rhoads said, “and we were impressed.”

Rhoads, who has overseen the secondary since 1995, is excited about building the position around a corps of strong, experienced veterans.

“Any time you return veteran players, and I’d consider six of the guys we have in our backfield veteran players, they’re another year stronger, another year wiser and another year sounder,” Rhoads said. “With all of that, you get a chance to be more confident out there.”

The confidence certainly showed up on Thursday.

In addition to their sterling play against the pass, backs like Dustin Avey spent much of the night stringing out the option and helping against the Sycamore running game.

“It was a simple game plan insomuch as they were facing an option team, and they just needed to be sound in their assignments,” Rhoads said. “I think they were.”

When the dust had settled, ISU’s secondary accounted for 13 tackles, three broken passes, the pair of interceptions and a forced fumble.

In addition to Densmore, Waters and Avey, Adam Runk, Jamarcus Powers, Breon Ansley and Ryan Sloth all performed admirably.

Unfortunately for the Cyclones, though, the Indiana State passing game pales in comparison to the challenges that lie ahead, beginning on Saturday with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

“We’re going to get tested more this week, without question,” head coach Dan McCarney said.

Despite playing without standout sophomore Kahlil Hill, the Hawkeyes boast a talented group of receivers, including senior Bashir Yamini and juniors Ryan Barton and Kevin Kasper. The trio combined for 61 catches last year for 908 yards.

“There are receivers on that squad that are as big and as fast as any we’ll face this year,” Rhoads said. “Plus, with a strong running game, they’ll make us defend the whole field.”

Despite struggling against Nebraska on Saturday, both McCarney and Rhoads expect the Hawkeyes to play well this weekend.

“We very definitely expect to be challenged,” Rhoads said. “We just hope our kids are up to the task.”

Despite a tough matchup and some problems in past seasons, McCarney is confident that his defensive backfield will come through in the clutch in 1999.

“We anticipate and expect big plays … and a higher performance level out of those kids because all of our starters are back,” McCarney said.

“They better be better or we’re not doing a good job coaching,” he said.

After one week of competition, the performance levels are as good as they could possibly be. Whether they can remain at such a pinnacle has yet to be seen.

“Obviously, we need to improve from last year,” McCarney said. “We took some good steps in that direction last week, and hopefully that will continue.”