We're baaaaack -field. After two straight seasons of uncharacteristic bowl appearances, the Cyclones appear to be right back in the shuffle, starting with the offensive backfield of QB Seneca Wallace and a full house of guys waiting to run with the pigskin. The 2002 version of head coach Dan McCarney's vision will revolve around the senior Wallace, who completed a conference record 18-straight passes against Baylor, and has been named the 2001 Big 12 Conference Offensive Newcomer of the Year by The Associated Press. Not only can Wallace pass, but he was also ISU's second leading rusher gaining 663 yards. According to Nebraska's defensive coordinator he's like trying to tackle the wind. He's got the agility of a guy like Eric Metcalf. Then you add in his ability to throw. However, finding a replacement for big All-American tailback Ennis Haywood will be the major question on most Cyclones fans mind this spring. Three capable incumbent starters will vie for the position, giving the Cyclones huge breathing room in the depth department. It will most likely be running back by committee. Wallace will maintain the luxury of having his leading receiver and team captain Lane Danielson back again. Combine his speed with that of Jack Whitver on the other side and coaches have two more than capable athletes running routes. Other than those two the pickings get slim. It will be crucial to locate some depth here, as thoughts of injury could prove devastating. The biggest loses however will come up front as the Cyclones lose two HUGE All-Big 12 offensive linemen and only bring back two starters. Offensive lines have always been a consistent strength for Coach McCarney and there is enough talent and power to continue the tradition by season's end. They will just have to grow up real fast. With only two starters back on the line and the star tailback missing there is going to be more pressure placed on the hands of Wallace.

Defensively, the unit will revolve around the team's leading tackler Matt Word from his middle linebacker spot. Word spent the spring recovering from a shoulder surgery and it will be crucial for him to be 100% by the first game at August's end. The linebackers as a group are not necessarily known for their size or speed, but have garnished solid recognition due in part to what really counts…production. The team finished second overall in Big XII pass defense last fall. Much of that success can be attributed to Adam Runk, who picked off 4 passes. He is gone, but all three of the remaining starters do return in the secondary. The group is talented but extremely short in size, averaging about 5'8, which could prove difficult against some of the larger opponents. The key on defense is going to be solidifying the front wall against the run. As good as the pass defense was last year, the defense finished 88th in the country in run stuffing. Big backs seemed to have a field day pounding the ball last season. Some of the talent lining up for 2002 in the trenches will not be staples in most Midwestern football conversations, but with a few healthy bodies back in the fold, the unit should not be considered a total weak spot. The defense as a whole is not exactly a list of superstars, but they make plays and perform well enough to drive the team into the winner's circle.