Iowa State Cyclones

Great Chizik Article on Rivalry Games

"Not saying that anybody outside of the Iowa State family should have seen the Iowa upset coming, but there was a hint that deserved more pregame attention to explain the Cyclones’ 15-13 triumph.

Gene Chizik-coached defenses in rivalry games have been a sure thing.

As Auburn’s defensive coordinator during 2002-04, the Tigers smothered Alabama three times, holding the Crimson Tide to below their season average in each case.

At Texas, where Chizik served in 2005 and 2006, the Longhorns held Oklahoma to a total of 22 points in two victories.

Chizik is the Cyclones’ head coach and Wayne Bolt is the coordinator, but the results were the same Saturday. Iowa State held Iowa to 233 yards of total offense, by far a season low. A week earlier, the Hawkeyes amassed 408 yards in a victory over Syracuse. Chizik said the Cyclones got physical in nature.

“We preached all week we have to be more physical than their offense,” Chizik said. “Mentally, you have to build that into your team, that being physical is the No. 1 priority.”"

Read the rest of the article here