As the football season approaches, hopes and aspirations are running rampant on the Cyclone football team, hopes that could not be any higher than those of the freshmen members.

Many freshmen players are being looked at to fill major voids in the starting lineup brought on by the departures of many seniors and player dismissals.

Head football coach Dan McCarney said he holds the freshmen in high regard.

“These freshmen bring much needed depth to this team. Besides just filling voids in positions, they bring on a high competition level to many of the positions. This added level of competition improves the players vying for the given positions,” McCarney said.

This attitude has been instilled in many of the players.

“You have to give it all you got each day. You have to give 100% support to your teammates,” said Mike Brantley, freshman wide receiver. “I have to push those ahead of me on the depth chart to make them get better. But at the same time, that helps make me better, that all adds up to giving the team a deep receivers corps.”

All of the freshmen have accepted their role, and they know what is to be expected of them.

Freshman fullback Joe Parmentier knows what his role is going to be on game days.

“I have to do whatever I can do as the backup fullback. If I am told to substitute for Rodney [Guggenheim] so he can get a breather, I’ll go in and do the job. I’ll block for Troy [Davis] if I’m told to,” Parmentier said. “I’m going to go out there and play my role as a freshman backup and follow through with my assignments as I have been instructed.”

With many of the freshmen on the team, they realize that they will be played on a somewhat limited basis early in the season. But a few freshmen will be able to step up and make a dramatic impact right from Thursday’s opening kickoff.

Jamie Kohl, the highly touted placekicking recruit from Wisconsin, will be stepping into a large void made by the departure of Ty Stewart.

“I know I am going to be following in the footsteps of a good kicker. But I’ve just got to go out and be consistent. I’ve got to help the team effort, strive to get that first win,” Kohl said.

Another big McCarney recruit who looks to be seeing a great deal of playing time is Patrick Augafa, the big Alaskan offensive lineman.

“I know that I have to do my part to help this team anyway I can. If I play as well as I can, then I can help this team,” Augafa said.

McCarney said the freshmen will have a true impact on the team.

“They really bring a new attitude to the team. They bring added motivation forward to help them earn a starting spot on the team. These freshmen really help improve this team,” McCarney said.