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Austen Arnaud: Fulfilling a legacy

A nice win against NIU and then a huge win @ Iowa to start out this season would get this guy very focused on the upcoming B12 games. Win the opener, and perform well and beat Iowa, AA could be dangerous and confident.

You would have to think, since this kid has been a Cyclone his entire life that he has the Iowa game circled on his calendar. He hasn't beaten Iowa yet as the ISU starting QB. He had moments in '08 on a wet field in IC, but we didn't get it done. Then, the turnovers in last year's game. This guy wants to perform well in that game, it just has to be eating at him. It would be HUGE for his confidence to start the season sharp. Be poised and ready for a good one with NIU, and be absolutly ready for the road game at Iowa.
 
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AA will either leave a hero this year or Bret Meyer part deaux (never living up to expectations after glimpses of awesomeness). Will be interesting to see how it turns out.
 
The way Arnaud put the team on his back in the 2nd half against UNLV a couple seasons ago was phenomenal. The throw between defenders to Sumral in the end zone - wow...the key first down and then some run was a thing of beauty.

The only other quarterback we've had that has really shown this ability is Seneca.

Arnaud just needs to exercise some demons early this fall. Tools all there, just needs the confidence. A very strong performance against NIU and a good showing against Iowa would be a great start.
 
WalkingCY said:
A nice win against NIU and then a huge win @ Iowa to start out this season would get this guy very focused on the upcoming B12 games. Win the opener, and perform well and beat Iowa, AA could be dangerous and confident. . . . Be poised and ready for a good one with NIU, and be absolutly ready for the road game at Iowa.
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Mind a different perspective? Iowa's just not on my radar. Individual teams aren't on my radar, really. CPR and staff have me thinking consistency. Thinking about a high level of play game-to-game. If we do that, maybe we can be a surprise despite the nation's toughest football schedule.

We can knock off Iowa; heck yes, it can be done. If we lose, though, I hope Austen does not suffer a loss of confidence and poise. He needs to be consistently good every week for us to have a chance at six or seven wins.

In other words, hopefully an Iowa win or loss will have little impact on Austen's performance.

May the football gods who inhabit Mount Ocheyedan permit our defense to gel early. . . .
 
Key to Arnaud beating Iowa = doing what he knows and staying calm. If he tries to win the game, he'll lose it. If he just lets things come to him, we'll be in it until the end. Herman needs to help here too. We ran it down their throats last year to start the game, no reason to get away from it if its working. If Sash and Greenwood want to take away the deep stuff, go underneath. Once they do creep up, take your shot deep. Sash does play aggressive and will get burned if you pick your spots correctly.
 
IcSyU said:
Key to Arnaud beating Iowa = doing what he knows and staying calm. If he tries to win the game, he'll lose it. If he just lets things come to him, we'll be in it until the end. Herman needs to help here too. We ran it down their throats last year to start the game, no reason to get away from it if its working. If Sash and Greenwood want to take away the deep stuff, go underneath. Once they do creep up, take your shot deep. Sash does play aggressive and will get burned if you pick your spots correctly.
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Yes. Sash is a ballhawk who should be susceptible to double moves and pump fakes.
 
hopefully herman can figure out how to score a touchdown this year against iowa. no reason A-rob cant punch one in-- the way we were able to run the ball last season against them.
 
WalkingCY said:
You would have to think, since this kid has been a Cyclone his entire life that he has the Iowa game circled on his calendar. He hasn't beaten Iowa yet as the ISU starting QB. He had moments in '08 on a wet field in IC, but we didn't get it done. Then, the turnovers in last year's game. This guy wants to perform well in that game, it just has to be eating at him. It would be HUGE for his confidence to start the season sharp.
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I assume he wants to have a better showing after what happened last season, but I also hope he doesn't psyche himself out and force it (as another post above suggested).

I think he wanted to beat Iowa pretty badly last year, and he seemed to look tentative. That was probably a combination of a new system and the hype of that game. I hope he doesn't put extra pressure on himself just for that game.
 
ChrisMWilliams said:
Here's a featuring on Austen Arnaud's high school and college career from Ian Smith.
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A what...?

A GRAIL???

Bridgekeeper_small.jpg
 
dualthreat said:
hopefully herman can figure out how to score a touchdown this year against iowa. no reason A-rob cant punch one in-- the way we were able to run the ball last season against them.
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Who cares about a TD? I would prefer a win. A final of 2-0 ISU would make me happy as a clam!
 
isuno1fan said:
AA will either leave a hero this year or Bret Meyer part deaux (never living up to expectations after glimpses of awesomeness). Will be interesting to see how it turns out.
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I completely agree, I'm not sure theres ever been a player that ISU fans want to see suceed more than AA. I really hope things come together for him, but I think he can go down as a Cyclone great without putting up huge numbers this year. Honestly, a bowl game this year would with this schedule would exceed anything the last few QB's did. This guy is a winner and a great team guy, thats what I hope for his legacy at ISU.
 
What I noticed in Austen's comment was the word "excited" - this is a danger sign. He needs to control his emotions more during the game (what might help him during the Iowa game is the pink locker room). I'm glad he's striving towards improvement though. He is a good guy and we're all pulling for him this year.
 
ISUFan22 said:
The way Arnaud put the team on his back in the 2nd half against UNLV a couple seasons ago was phenomenal. The throw between defenders to Sumral in the end zone - wow...the key first down and then some run was a thing of beauty.

The only other quarterback we've had that has really shown this ability is Seneca.

Arnaud just needs to exercise some demons early this fall. Tools all there, just needs the confidence. A very strong performance against NIU and a good showing against Iowa would be a great start.
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+1. People want to rag on him for making mistakes, but he has been clutch in late game situations.

1) UNLV (great last drive)
2) KSU (this year, great last drive)
3) KU - great comeback
4) KU - last year, had big lead, led one last drive to win but was dropped I believe
5) Minnesota - getting huge first down with game on line

Most of the above didn't end in wins, but most were because of other causes. (FG/X points/defense)
 
Hi guys, thanks for reading my story!

I think this quote from Tom Herman is pretty telling about Arnaud's progress...

“I think the biggest thing he has learned is to calm down in the pocket and trust his mechanics even when the game is going 1,000 miles-per-hour,â€￾ Herman said. “We are going to need him to continue to do that.â€￾

If Austen can slow things down in the pocket, he could have a monster season. Remember, it's his second year in Herman's system.
 
Great story - Austen is a class act and an excellent representative of Ames and Iowa State University. I can honestly say that I cannot / will not root against him.... Even against Iowa.
 
Great article, i can agree that everyone thought AA was a great guy in highschool, i graduated (and played football with) him, and i don't know of anyone that didn't like him. This may be nitpicking but we did not make consecutive playoff appearances ('03 and '05). We lost in the first round both times (heelan in 03 and dowling in 05)and did not make the quarterfinals.
 
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