Iowa State celebrates a 9-6 win over Iowa on Saturday in Iowa City.AMES, Iowa (KTIV) - -
Iowa State's win over Iowa on Saturday moved the Cyclones to 2-0 and gave them votes in the top-25 polls. This week ISU will try to avoid overlooking Western Illinois and get to 3-0 for the second straight year.
The Cyclones are winning with defense. Since giving up 16 points in the first quarter of the opener against Tulsa, ISU has given up just 13 points in the last seven quarters. The Cyclones held the Hawkeyes to just five first downs..that hasn't happened for an ISU defense in 30 years.
Now the Cyclones have to avoid looking past this week's FCS opponent.
"I don't sense any bit of complacency in our kids in our program," said Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads. "That's judged by how we went through meetings yesterday, how we went through practice yesterday. We had a lot of energy and we had good focus."
"I think we refuse to get complacent," said wide receiver Aaron Horne. "We're real hungry for every win. We won't underestimate any opponent that we play. So we'll prepare for them just as if they were the top team in the nation."
"An upset can happen at any moment," said defensive tackle Jake McDonough.
We never overlook a team. We take it week by week."
Western Illinois, from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, is also 2-0, with wins over Butler and Indianapolis.
Iowa State and the Leathernecks kick off at 7 o'clock on Saturday night. The game can only be seen live on the Iowa State athletics web-site.
