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Arnaud and Bates are ISU's 'two-headed monster'
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-08-26
Now the real quarterback battle begins.
Even though sophomore Austen Arnaud beat out fellow sophomore Phillip Bates in the preseason for the starting job, Arnaud won't keep it unless he outplays Bates when it counts, starting in the opener against South Dakota State Thursday (7 p.m., Fox College Sports).
"We are both going to play," Arnaud said. "Phillip is so talented with his feet and throwing on the run. We will have a little two-headed monster on our offense."
No one is saying exactly how things will play out.
The quarterbacks didn't separate themselves much during the preseason. Arnaud was named the starter, in part, because he has more experience under center than Bates. Arnaud saw limited action in six games last year while Bates spent the season as a wide receiver.
Coach Gene Chizik said at his Monday press conference that both quarterbacks will see the field Thursday and that either quarterback could end up starting next week against Kent State. He also added that he won't make any promises about how much playing time either quarterback will get.
He'll let their play on the field decide who sees the most action.
"We feel good about both of them," Chizik said. "We are going to play both of them."
Knowing he'll get snaps against the Jackrabbits has made it easier for Bates to go through practice this week. He's not dwelling on what he could have done in camp to sit atop the depth chart.
Instead, he's focusing on what he can do to make the most his ISU quarterback debut.
"I just have to go out there and do my job," Bates said. "I can't worry about what happened yesterday. You have to move ahead, that's the big thing, and right now that's South Dakota State.
Chizik is looking for whoever grabs a hold of the job to do two things - minimize turnovers and make plays within the offense.
And with two quarterbacks capable of using their legs, and not just their arms, to make a play, Chizik hopes the Cyclones will be able to move the ball down the field better than they did last year.
"One thing about having two athletes at quarterback is your expectation of them is when they have nothing to make something and that's what separates good quarterbacks from just guys," Chizik said.
And Arnaud has no intention of being just another quarterback.
"I've been waiting for this all my life and now its here." Arnaud said. "I can't wait to get that first hit in and start competing again."
Sandvig at safety: With the returning starter at strong safety, senior Chris Brown, still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, Zac Sandvig will start Thursday.
Sandvig moved from cornerback to safety at the beginning of camp. With an influx of new cornerbacks joining the team this fall, the coaching staff felt Sandvig could best be used at safety this year.
"We feel good about him there and again it will be some growing pains with him, but he's done a nice job in two-a-days to win that job," Chizik said.
The sophomore from West Des Moines Valley saw limited action in five games last year before he tore his ACL. He recorded two tackles and returned three punts for -9 yards.
Chizik said Brown is still coming along from his surgery, adding he is viewing Brown's status as a "week to week thing."
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-08-26
By Nirmalendu Majumdar/The Tribune file photo
Iowa State’s Austen Arnaud will start Thursday’s game against South Dakota State, but he will be sharing the duties with teammate Phillip Bates. Neither quarterback separated themselves much during the preseason. Arnaud was named the starter because he has more experience.
Iowa State’s Austen Arnaud will start Thursday’s game against South Dakota State, but he will be sharing the duties with teammate Phillip Bates. Neither quarterback separated themselves much during the preseason. Arnaud was named the starter because he has more experience.
Now the real quarterback battle begins.
Even though sophomore Austen Arnaud beat out fellow sophomore Phillip Bates in the preseason for the starting job, Arnaud won't keep it unless he outplays Bates when it counts, starting in the opener against South Dakota State Thursday (7 p.m., Fox College Sports).
"We are both going to play," Arnaud said. "Phillip is so talented with his feet and throwing on the run. We will have a little two-headed monster on our offense."
No one is saying exactly how things will play out.
The quarterbacks didn't separate themselves much during the preseason. Arnaud was named the starter, in part, because he has more experience under center than Bates. Arnaud saw limited action in six games last year while Bates spent the season as a wide receiver.
Coach Gene Chizik said at his Monday press conference that both quarterbacks will see the field Thursday and that either quarterback could end up starting next week against Kent State. He also added that he won't make any promises about how much playing time either quarterback will get.
He'll let their play on the field decide who sees the most action.
"We feel good about both of them," Chizik said. "We are going to play both of them."
Knowing he'll get snaps against the Jackrabbits has made it easier for Bates to go through practice this week. He's not dwelling on what he could have done in camp to sit atop the depth chart.
Instead, he's focusing on what he can do to make the most his ISU quarterback debut.
"I just have to go out there and do my job," Bates said. "I can't worry about what happened yesterday. You have to move ahead, that's the big thing, and right now that's South Dakota State.
Chizik is looking for whoever grabs a hold of the job to do two things - minimize turnovers and make plays within the offense.
And with two quarterbacks capable of using their legs, and not just their arms, to make a play, Chizik hopes the Cyclones will be able to move the ball down the field better than they did last year.
"One thing about having two athletes at quarterback is your expectation of them is when they have nothing to make something and that's what separates good quarterbacks from just guys," Chizik said.
And Arnaud has no intention of being just another quarterback.
"I've been waiting for this all my life and now its here." Arnaud said. "I can't wait to get that first hit in and start competing again."
Sandvig at safety: With the returning starter at strong safety, senior Chris Brown, still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, Zac Sandvig will start Thursday.
Sandvig moved from cornerback to safety at the beginning of camp. With an influx of new cornerbacks joining the team this fall, the coaching staff felt Sandvig could best be used at safety this year.
"We feel good about him there and again it will be some growing pains with him, but he's done a nice job in two-a-days to win that job," Chizik said.
The sophomore from West Des Moines Valley saw limited action in five games last year before he tore his ACL. He recorded two tackles and returned three punts for -9 yards.
Chizik said Brown is still coming along from his surgery, adding he is viewing Brown's status as a "week to week thing."
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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