In the past three years the Iowa State offense has been quite prolific at both running and throwing the ball — unfortuneately, it hasn’t been at the same time. Under first year offensive coordinator Pete Hoener, the Cyclones will attempt to balance that attack.

In Dan McCarney’s first two seasons the Cyclones were among the top 15 rushing teams in the country behind the work of Troy Davis. Last season ISU dropped to 103rd in the nation on the ground. The Cyclones averaged only 93.5 yards per game and 2.6 a carry.

The passing game was the exact opposite. Last season, with the emergence of quarterback Todd Bandhauer, ISU became one of the top passing teams in the Big 12, with Bandhauer setting numerous school records.

“It is very important that we are able to run the ball,” Hoener said. “We are going to play football like Coach McCarney wants to. We’re going to play for field position, keep the score close and win the game in the fourth quarter. It all starts with attitude.”

Hoener comes to ISU after a six year stint at Texas Christian, the Cyclones’ first opponent.

“I’m sure they’ll change some things in their scheme, but I know their personnel as good as anybody,” Hoener said.

“The offense will be similar,” McCarney said. “We’ve had success with our zone game. We’ll want to utilize our quarterback and his strengths. We’ll want to use both one and two back sets to improve our running game. We have a solid quarterback with a good arm, but we have to be able to run the ball.”

Hoener, a native of Peoria, Ill., was the tight ends coach for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1984-86, before returning to the college ranks at Illinois.

“There aren’t a lot of offensive and defensive coordinator positions available around the nation — especially at this level,” Hoener said. “I’m a mid-western guy, so I was excited to come back. I’m really looking forward to being a part of turning this program around.”

McCarney first met Hoener when the two coached and recruited against each other while McCarney was at Iowa and Hoener was at Illinois and Purdue.

“He has a real good feel for the offense,” McCarney said. “He has a real hands-on approach. He is extremely focused, but he can be compassionate at the same time. Last year, during player interviews, each offensive lineman really backed him.”

“I haven’t been around him a lot, but my first impression of him is that he is very steady and consistent,” quarterback Todd Bandhauer said. “I hope we don’t throw the ball as much as we did last year, because if we do, that means we’re probably behind.”