The beginning of class marks the end of two-a-day practices for the Iowa State football team, and with the large number of new players expected to have an impact on this year’s team, these practices may have been more important this season than ever before.

“It has been typical two-a-days; tiresome for the players,” said defensive back coach Paul Rhoads. “The players are worn out both physically and mentally, yet at the same time we’re pushing them to get them better.”

After the players got up at 6 a.m. every morning, they went through a rigorous conditioning and practice session. The Cyclones then returned for a three-hour practice in the blazing late afternoon heat after having individual meetings in the late morning.

“The progress is not increasing at the rate we would like, but that is in part to the influx on new players,” Rhoads added. “Once they get their legs back, their minds will follow.”

Rhoads was pleased with the shape in which the new players reported to camp.

“Nobody is in Division I football shape right now,” Rhoads said. “Even the players that stayed here all summer, under the direction of Coach McGettigan, aren’t in football shape. I’m impressed with the way those players worked on their own with no guidance.

“There has been great competition at every position, but we haven’t been really concerned with the two-deep. Right now we are just trying to get everybody to get a feel for each other. We’ll have a better idea after the scrimmage today and the one on Saturday,” Rhoads added.

At receiver, the veterans are playing well but are getting pushed by the newcomers.

“The level of play at this position is much higher now than it was last spring,” said receivers coach Nick Quartaro. “Kevin Wilson, Mike Brantley and Chris Anthony have really elevated their game with the influx of new players.”

Quartaro also has been pleased with the play of junior college transfers Robert Brown, Damien Groce and Kenyatta Burris.

“They have all worked hard to catch up to learn the routes,” Quartaro said. “No matter how talented they are, if they don’t know the system or the routes, they won’t be able to step on the field.”

The coaches also said it was a key to take advantage of the four practices the NCAA allows for incoming players to get them acclimated to the system before two-a-days.

Quartaro also pointed out that leadership by upperclassmen, especially quarterback Todd Bandhauer, has contributed to the smooth transition for the new players.

“Right now we’re working on consistency,” Quartaro said. “It is the little things that we will have to do in order to improve. I’m pleased with the way they have been catching the ball, but now we just have to work on our down-field blocking. With backs like Darren Davis and J.J. Moses, we have to sustain our blocks. We want to be complete receivers.”

With the season and home opener just a week away, 10 junior college transfers are currently on the two-deep roster, four holding down starting positions.

On defense, 300-pound Clyde Sanders is now the starting nose tackle while linebacker Ab Turner has taken over the starting outside linebacker spot. In the secondary, Jeff Waters is currently the starting free safety.

At the flanker position, San Bernadino’s Damien Groce has been quite impressive and is battling Kevin Wilson for the top spot.