By Wendell Barnhouse
Big12Sports.com Correspondent

2014 record: 2-10 overall, 0-9 in Big 12.

Returning starters: 7 on offense, 6 on defense.

Top players returning: Senior QB Sam Richardson, senior WR Quenton Bundrage, sophomore WR Allen Lazard, senior DE Dale Pierson, junior LB Jordan Harris, junior CB Nigel Tribune, freshman S Kamari Cotton-Moya, sophomore K Cole Netten.

Key players to replace: C Tom Farniok, RB Aaron Wimberly, RB DeVondrick Nealy, tight end E.J. Bibbs, DE Cory Morrisey.

Spring review
After winning just five games over the last two seasons and losing 16 of 18 Big 12 games, Iowa State is intent on moving up in the standings and making a run at reaching a bowl game.

The Cyclones' reputation for pulling headline-making upsets has faded but coach Paul Rhoads believes that what happened in spring practice bodes well for the upcoming season.

"The growth of this team internally from a competitive standpoint, from a cohesion standpoint, maybe exceeded expectations of where I wanted to get to by April 11," he said. "I don't think you can look at any of the skill development at any position and not say it's improved at a level that we needed to by the 15 opportunities given to us by the NCAA."

Rhoads believes that senior Sam Richardson will be one of the top three quarterbacks in the Big 12 and that Richardson and the offense will be even better in Year Two of Mark Mangino as offensive coordinator.

The return of senior Quenton Bundrage, who was injured and lost for the season on the first offensive series last season, plus the continued development of sophomore Allen Lazard could provide Richardson with receiving options.

The defense also hopes for improvement but must replace five starters. Demond Tucker, a junior-college transfer who participated in spring practice, could be a difference maker in the middle of the defensive line.

"He's a guy that finally on the defensive front can create plays, and he does that through explosiveness and separation of a blocker," Rhoads said. "He's where he's supposed to be (on the field). He either makes a tackle, creates pressure, or pushes it to somebody else."

Quick slants
Construction at Jack Trice Stadium is expected to be completed for the season opener. The $60 million project is enclosing the south end of the stadium and will expand seating to 61,000, making it the Big 12's third-largest in terms of seating capacity.

Linebacker has been an important position for the Iowa State defense during the Paul Rhoads Era. This year's unit is facing considerable uncertainty. Junior Luke Knott, one of the team's most experienced linebackers, is battling a hip issue that could sideline him this season or end his career. The Cyclones need Jordan Harris, former walk-on Levi Peters, junior Kane Seeley and redshirt freshmen Willie Harvey and Reggan Northrup to be major factors.

Iowa State must replace the top two running backs from a ground game that struggled to consistently gain yardage, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. Sophomore Tyler Brown and red-shirt freshman Mike Warren will both need to be productive options when the Cyclones need to run the ball. Sophomore Martinez Syria, who missed spring practice with an injury, is an option as a power runner.

Coach Paul Rhoads on …
Senior quarterback Sam Richardson:
"He's a great behind-the-scenes type of guy. He knows people best on this team, because he's been around them, now going into year five. He knows the receiving corps. He's learning the backfield. I've challenged him that he better get to know those young guys on both sides of the ball."

The defense:
"I've seen enough to believe that we have an opportunity to be a competitive defense. We don't have a roster full of difference-makers - erasers - on defense yet."

Receiver Quenton Bundrage, who missed almost all of last season after undergoing knee surgery:
"I still think he's a tad bit gun-shy. I do think that'll change a great bit when the doctors say, 'You are 100 percent full-go, don't worry about anything.' And when we do that, I think his concentration at catching every ball will be what it needs to be."

2015 Schedule

Sept. 5	Northern Iowa
Sept. 12	Iowa
Sept. 19	at Toledo
Oct. 3	vs. Kansas*
Oct. 10	at Texas Tech*
Oct. 17	TCU*
Oct. 24	at Baylor*
Oct. 31	Texas*
Nov. 7	at Oklahoma*
Nov. 14	Oklahoma State*
Nov. 21	at Kansas State*
Nov. 28	at West Virginia*

* - Conference game.