Tempe, Ariz. — Iowa State football players were mostly finished changing from uniforms to street clothes when punter Michael Brandtner offered his wisdom:”Iowa State football is back,” he said after Thursday’s 14-13 win against Minnesota in the Insight Bowl. “We’re back on the map.”A 10-game losing streak one season, a bowl victory and 7-6 record the next in Paul Rhoads’ first season as the coach.”We’ve made some noise,” said Rhoads, pictured. “We made some people happy and made some people take notice about Iowa State football.

“By winning the bowl game and finishing with a winning record, you go into the off-season with a program that certainly is on its way.”The program has credibility.”Like most of us, Rhoads included, Darius Reynolds can’t wait for spring.”That’s when I’m going to get back out on the football field and show people what I can do,” said Reynolds, a receiver who came to Iowa State with the nickname “Money” but walked the sidelines Thursday.Reynolds’ healthy return after breaking a bone in his left leg in September gives Cyclone fans reason for optimism for next season.Yes, optimism – even though Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M are replaced with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.”I know that we have them on the schedule,” Reynolds said. “But we’re going to be a better team, We’re going to keep improving. We’re all looking forward to next season.”Nine offensive players who started Thursday return. Half the starting defense returns.And then there’s Reynolds, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior transfer who caught 13 passes for 72 yards before the injury.”The future here is good,” quarterback Austen Arnaud said. “The schedule picks up, but the thing about it is that we’re going to be better, too.”

High PointWinning the bowl game was huge, for sure, but it wouldn’t have happened without first shocking the football world with a 9-7 win at Nebraska. Making the Cyclones’ first win there since 1977 more stunning was that it was accomplished without the team’s top quarterback and running back. Austen Arnaud didn’t play because of a swollen right hand. Alexander Robinson, the Big 12 Conference’s top rusher at the time, sat because of a groin injury. Need more? Flu-like sickness ran through the team, including offensive lineman Ben Lamaak, who vomited throughout the game, yet continued to play. Nickel back Ter’ran Benton played for most of the first half on a broken leg. The win opened the eyes of bowl officials, most notably Insight Bowl officials.Low pointA blocked extra point attempt got the conference season off to a bad start during a 24-23 loss against Kansas State. Grant Mahoney’s PAT try with 32 seconds to play was swatted by 6-foot-4 Emmanuel Lamur. “Shocked, that was my reaction,” Mahoney said. “It felt like I hit it just fine. It felt like a good kick.” There were other happenstances: Robinson spent the final three quarters on the sidelines with a pulled groin, the Cyclones lost two fumbles, safety James Smith fell down defending what became a touchdown pass in the end zone that resulted in a 17-17 tie, and Leonard Johnson was beaten badly on another Wildcat touchdown. “We contributed too many things to this loss,” coach Paul Rhoads said.Could have usedA lack of speed seemingly always has been an issue at Iowa State, especially on the defensive side. That was especially evident against more athletic teams like Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. The Cyclones lost those two games, in succession, by a combined 69-18. “I think we can recruit guys that can compete with those schools,” Rhoads said. “More important, I know we have the people in place to develop the (recruits) that we get to be on that stage.” Quicker and more athletic defenders will improve a defense that ranked 112th nationally in sacks, 95th against the pass, and 99th in total defense. Improved quickness and athleticism also will improve the return game, where Iowa State was 104th nationally in punt returns with an average of 5.4 yards per return.Offensive MVPHard telling where Iowa State would be without tailback Alexander Robinson, the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Stevie Hicks rushed for 1,062 yards in 2004. Robinson played with a variety of injuries, including a strained groin and bruised shoulder. Still, he was the most consistent Cyclone offensive performer, rushing for 1,195 yards after getting 137 and winning the Insight Bowl’s offensive MVP award Thursday. “A-Rob – he’s the man,” quarterback Austen Arnaud said. “You know something good’s going to happen when he gets his hands on the ball. Makes you wonder sometimes how many yards he’d gain if were healthy for a whole season.”Defensive MVPLinebacker Jesse Smith came to school as a walk-on from Southeast Polk. He left as the Big 12 Conference’s top tackler for the 2009 season. “He’s all over the field,” NFL television analyst Mike Mayock said. “The more I watched him on film, the more I liked him.” He was a first-team all-Big 12 selection and was the Walter Camp defensive player of the week for what he did during a 9-7 win at Nebraska. He sealed the upset with an interception in the final minute, capping a game in which he had 12 tackles, forced a fumble and deflected a pass.Reasons for optimismEight starters return to the offense, including all skill-position players except receiver Marquis Hamilton and tight end Derrick Catlett. “You know the improvement we made compared to last year?” Hamilton said. “Well, it’s going to be even more improved next year. A-Rob’s going to have another big year, Austen’s back and we’re really deep at receiver.” Additionally, four-fifths of an improved offensive line returns, the lone loss being senior center Reggie Stephens. “The foundation for the future is in place,” Stephens said.Reasons for pessimismTwo words – the schedule. Traditional powers Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech replace Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Oklahoma and Texas are on consecutive Saturdays – on the road, no less. Six starters depart the defense, including the Smiths – linebacker Jesse and safety James. The starting linebackers were seniors, and defensive tackle Nate Frere and defensive end Christopher Lyle, the Insight’s defensive MVP, also must be replaced.