by CHRISTOPHER CLAIR

Daily Staff Writer

With the momentum from last year at their backs, the feeling of excitement generated by returning standout players, and the birth of a new conference, the Iowa State football team has set the stage for an intriguing season.

“We are a better team compared to last year, but with our extremely tough schedule, it will be hard to improve our record,” Head Coach Dan McCarney said.

The Cyclones were 3-8 overall last season, 1-6 in the final year of the Big Eight Conference. They will join the new Big 12 this season.

“It’s a brutal schedule we will be playing,” McCarney said. “But I like the look in the eyes of my players. The work ethic and foundation of the program is in place to build upon. 1995 is over. [Troy] Davis hasn’t gained a yard and we haven’t stopped anybody yet. We have to look back at the improvement we’ve made and see it again this season.”

McCarney has a full arsenal of weapons at his disposal on the offensive side of the ball, led by 1995 Heisman Trophy finalist Troy Davis. The junior tailback became only the fifth running back in NCAA Division I football history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

“I would like to see our team earn a winning record this season. I would like to see our guys play four quarters every game,” Davis said. “I haven’t really put much thought into individual goals.”

A deep backfield includes Graston Norris, Damian Brown and newcomer Darren Davis, Troy’s brother. Joe “Baby Bull” Parmentier will likely handle the fullback duties along with Rodney Guggenheim.

Receiver Depth

Davis might find his workload reduced slightly, although he will still carry the ball with regularity.

“When you have a Heisman candidate, you want to keep some of those things in your offense intact,” McCarney said. The pressure on Davis will be relieved thanks in part to the depth at the receiver position.

Junior Ed Williams, who led the team in receptions (46), receiving yards (639) and touchdowns (7), will front this corps of players.

“Our wide receiver group is better at this point than it was at any time last season,” McCarney said.

The group experienced a significant boost from Tyrone Watley, a transfer from Pacific, as well as the emergence of Tom Radke and Gerrick Bivins and the move of Jahi Arnold from tailback to receiver.

Questions about who would be on the delivering end of passes for ISU were answered by McCarney. “[Todd] Doxson is No. 1, [Todd] Bandhauer is No. 2,” he said. “Both are extremely healthy and have improved their speed and strength.”

McCarney said he doesn’t want to alternate quarterbacks, but he did say, “the most efficient quarterback will be the one to play. We can bring in our other quarterback and have confidence in him.”

Doxson enters his senior campaign with a much stronger arm. “I’ll be looking for big plays and consistency out of the passing game this season,” he said. “I have a little better of a weapon with the deep ball this season.”

Doxson also has the speed to tuck the ball under his arm and dash for first downs; his 40-yard dash time down around 4.5 seconds.

The offensive line remains a solid unit, bringing back most of last year’s starters. Tim Kohn, a three-year letterman, and Matt Rahfaldt will anchor one side of the line.

“Kohn is as good as any in the Big 12, which means he’s as good as any in the country,” McCarney said, adding that Rahfaldt is the most improved player on the team.

Wholesale Changes

The defense, which was suspect at best last year, will be completely overhauled. “We could see as many as eight new starters on defense this year,” McCarney said.

McCarney, a defensive specialist, is not interested in hearing excuses this year. “We have to improve every phase of the defense, which we can do,” he said. “We are not going to give the defense the excuse that the offense can bail them out.”

The kicking game looks to be solid, as Jamie Kohl returns after a successful freshman season. Senior punter Marc Harris, a pre-season all-conference pick, also returns.

The Big 12 schedule will be a grind, but it doesn’t get any easier with non-conference games. Intra-state rival Iowa is expected to be a Big 10 power. Wyoming features a high-caliber receiver in Marcus Harris, being touted as a pre-season candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

“I could sleep better at night if we didn’t have to play some of these teams,” McCarney said.

One comfort that McCarney has is a new natural grass surface on Jack Trice Field. “My knees and ankles hurt just coaching on the stuff. Can you imagine playing a three-hour game on it?”

Doxson agreed with his coach. “My injury last year was a fluke which was turf related. The grass will help me out,”Doxson said.