Under Gene Chizik, Cyclone program uninviting for Iowa punter

IOWA CITY - Iowa punter Eric Guthrie grew up 10 minutes from Iowa State University. His grandfather was an Iowa State professor, his father attended Iowa State and his mother still works there.

But somewhere along his natural journey along Highway 30 from Nevada to Ames, Guthrie was sidetracked and went instead east to Iowa City.

"I was pretty open as a kid," Guthrie said. "I liked college sports in general. I'd be lying if I didn't follow them. I followed Iowa football as well.

"Iowa State was looking at me a little bit and then (former ISU coach Dan) McCarney resigned or got fired, however that worked out. (Former ISU Coach Gene) Chizik came in, and he didn't really look at me at all. So it's down to Iowa. That's my best opportunity."

Guthrie, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound senior, spent the last four seasons as a walk-on behind Ryan Donahue. Good academics helped pay for part of his tuition at Iowa, but Guthrie, a psychology major, earned an athletic scholarship this season.

Saturday, Guthrie punted three times for a 39-yard average. Two of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.

Guthrie enjoys one other close connection to Iowa State. His father, Gary, played football for Cecil Rhoads as a sophomore and junior at Nevada. Cecil Rhoads is Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads' father.