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Iowa State University Athletics
Rhoads Welcomes Cyclones to Spring Practice
03.24.2009 | Football
AMES, Iowa ? Paul Rhoads' first Iowa State football squad commenced spring practice Tuesday in the Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility as the Cyclones went through drills under the new coaching staff. It was the first on-field teaching session for Rhoads, offensive coordinator Tom Herman and defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.
“Coach Rhoads wants to be here, and he is a real hands-on leader,” Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud said.
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Arnaud is working under his third head coach since coming to ISU in 2006 but likes the up-tempo pace of practice under the new coaching staff.
“We are all adjusting to the new system, but it is great to be out on the field again,” Arnaud said. “During the winter you are getting up at 4:30 a.m. to trudge through the darkness to lift weights. This is nice change from (winter conditioning). There were some mistakes out there today because it was the first day of a new offense and a new defense,” Arnaud said.
Arnaud stressed the importance of spring practices as well his personal goals.
“Spring practices are very important especially because we are learning a new offense,” he said. “I personally just want to continue to be a student of the game like I always am.”
For his part, Rhoads told the team at the practice's conclusion that it was a good day.
“I like how coachable you are,” Rhoads told the team. “But let's also remember that right now, while we are in good condition, we are not in football shape.”
Defensive back Leonard Johnson took part in most drills but is still nursing a muscle strain and wore a blue no-contact jersey Tuesday. Depth in the secondary is a major motivator to get back on the field.
“We have a lot of really good corners out there this season,” the 2008 freshman All-American said. “When I watched all of my teammates out on the field, I said to myself ?I've got to get back out there.' We are working on our mental toughness by being put in new situations and being pushed to our limits,” Johnson said.
Johnson talked about how he feels the team will continue to improve during the spring.
“We came together as a team in the off-season,” he said. “And I think being together will help us make a lot of progress in the spring.”
Iowa State has 14 spring practices remaining, including The Cyclone Gridiron Club Spring Game on April 18 at 3 p.m. in Jack Trice Stadium.
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