Football Practice Report 8-10-07

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer said the Cyclone football team is ready for Saturday's scrimmage. He is also learning who will be his primary targets to complement wide receiver Todd Blythe after the departure of receivers Austin Flynn and Jon Davis. The Cyclones drilled in just helmets and shorts for the first half of practice, before putting on shells to work on down-and-distance situations.

“Guys know they have to step up,” Meyer said. “There are times we will spread it out with several receivers as a part of our offense. I've been impressed with Euseph Messiah among others. We've got five running backs that are competing hard. I want to give credit to the defense as well. Saturday will be a good scrimmage. Guys are getting into a routine and we have adapted to the physical demands of practice. We will work on not turning the ball over Saturday.”

Cyclone quarterbacks coach Tony Petersen sees major differences in Meyer and redshirt freshman Austen Arnaud.

“You have one guy who has been in the Big 12 for three seasons,” Petersen said of Meyer. "Austen has been through one spring session with this coaching staff and is still learning. You can see the difference on the practice field.”

Petersen says he expects Meyer to get sacked less this year than last.

“About 50 percent of sacks are really due to what the quarterback does,” Petersen said. “The fans don't always see it that way but that is my experience. That is something we continue to work on.”

Highlights:

- PK Bret Culbertson went 8-for-8 on field goals in special teams work, with a long of 51 yards.

- QB Bret Meyer hit Todd Blythe twice in the back of the end zone on first-and-10 red zone work from the 15-yard line.

- QB Austen Arnaud connected with WR Milan Moses on a fade for a TD from 15 yards out.

- The first team defense recorded four consecutive stops in a third-down and eight segment.

- Arnaud hooked up with WR Jake Williams for a 55-yard fly that put the offense inside the 10-yard line.

Players Mentioned

Austen Arnaud

Austen Arnaud

Todd Blythe

Todd Blythe

Bret Culbertson

Bret Culbertson

Jon Davis

Austin Flynn

Euseph Messiah

Euseph Messiah

Bret Meyer

Bret Meyer

Milan Moses

Milan Moses

Jake Williams

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics