Cyclones, TCU moving in opposite directions

AMES - The two have trended opposite directions as the season nears its end, but when Iowa State takes the field against TCU, the lack of success enhances the opportunity.

'They've got a ton to play for and really we don't have a ton to play for other than guys like me finishing our careers strong, finishing on a positive note and ending the season the right way,” said senior Tom Farniok. 'Their end goal is to get to the national championship, ours is to finish the right way because we know this is our last one. It gives you a sense of no holding back mentality because it truly is the end.”

The Cyclones will meet TCU on Saturday in Fort Worth with playoff implications on the line for the Horned Frogs.

TCU is led by quarterback Trevone Boykin, who ISU Coach Paul Rhoads has seen grow during the last two seasons.

Iowa State and TCU met for the first time as conference members in Fort Worth in 2012, with the Cyclones walking away with a 37-23 win. A lot has changed since then, including Boykin thrusting himself into consideration for the Heisman Trophy.

'Two years ago in 2012 he certainly wasn't as developed as he is right now,” Rhoads said. 'Boykin and the offense at TCU has really evolved and he's gone from being a quarterback to being a receiver to quarterback again. He throws the ball with so much better accuracy than he did in 2012 when he was given his first start.”

ISU defensive back Kenneth Lynn first saw Boykin when the two were in high school and attended a football camp hosted by TCU. Even in high school, Lynn saw a lot of talent in Boykin and he has seen him progress into an effective quarterback.

Lynn has gained more confidence in himself, too, as the season has progressed, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by Rhoads.

'(He's) a guy that's really developing confidence right now and playing, I believe, an exciting brand of football,” Rhoads said. 'He's playing fast, he's playing physical. With his frame and strength levels, that's not easy. He's not a big guy, but because he's playing so fast right now, he's bringing the wood a little bit.”

With all that is on the line for TCU on Saturday, Lynn is looking forward to the opportunity to match up with Boykin again and try to spoil the Horned Frogs' playoff hopes.

'I really feel like this would be really big for our program,” Lynn said. 'Everyone would probably look at it and start believing in ourselves that we're a good team. Hopefully we feed off of that and have a good season next year.”

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