GameDay: Jantz, Rennie followed similar paths

Steele Jantz shrugged.

When the question of potential pregame jitters entering his first start as Iowa State's quarterback sprang up, the well-traveled Californian refused to try to process what he's never experienced.

"I'm just worried about the job I need to do," said Jantz, who will help lead the Cyclones into tonight's season opener against dangerous Northern Iowa at Jack Trice Stadium. "But I haven't played in front of upward of 50,000 (fans), so we'll see."

His adversary behind center retains a vivid memory of that momentarily unsettling experience.

The Panthers' Tirrell Rennie - who like Jantz, stood as a highly touted transfer quarterback entering last season's matchup in Ames - figured he was well-prepared for the glare of the spotlight.

Until he took the field.

"I'm going to start off at (the UNI-Dome)," said Rennie, who struggled at ISU last season in a 27-0 loss. "When I first went out and saw those 15,000 or so people, my eyes were big. Like ‘E.T' big. And I thought that was the biggest crowd, but when I went to the Iowa State game I said, ‘I knew it would be a big crowd, I'm not going to be too excited. I'm going to be excited but I'm not going to blow it out of proportion.' But when I ran out and saw (about 50,000) people, I think my eyes almost fell out."

Rennie endured a baptism by fire in Ames - committing three turnovers and pronouncing himself "a cancer."

It remains to be seen what today holds for him and Jantz, a former walk-on at Hawaii who transferred to City College of San Francisco once it became clear playing time might be scarce with the Warriors.

"I'm excited about the opportunity that was given to me, but at the same time I'm excited about the team's opportunity, what the future holds in store for us," the 6-4, 225-pound Jantz said,

The Cyclones, who at 5-7 last season narrowly missed becoming bowl eligible for the second straight time under Coach Paul Rhoads, hope to string together surprises and prove doubters wrong again.

Jantz's dual-threat capability will help determine how far ISU's upstart aspirations will rise.

"He has the personality - everything he's shown us thus far - that he'll be unflappable when it comes to 55,000 screaming fans and playing under the lights," Rhoads said of Jantz a junior, who totaled 37 touchdowns passing and rushing last season.

Rennie, despite last season's inconsistency in the passing game - he threw eight touchdown passes and 11 interceptions - has put past adversity into perspective.

He hopes to lead UNI to another Missouri Valley Conference title and a deep Football Championship Subdivision playoff run.

"You won't hear me say I'm a cancer again," said Rennie, who in 2010 became the first Panther quarterback to rush and pass for 1,000-plus yards in a single season. ""Everybody's ideology about a quarterback is he's supposed to take on the role as a leader. But after that game (at ISU last season) ... I don't have to take on all that pressure myself."

Rennie's pinpointed an area for improvement.

It starts with his mind, not his feet.

"The biggest change for me this year is I feel like I know where my eyes need to be," Rennie said. "Which in turn puts our offense in the best situation, which in turn gets the ball to receivers who are open versus receivers who aren't open and then I'm forcing the ball."

Jantz doesn't plan to press either.

In his one season at Hawaii he wore a jersey emblazoned with the last name "Tebow" in preparation for the 2008 season opener against Florida.

That made him a semi-Cult figure in Honolulu, but he watched from the sideline in a lopsided loss at Gainesville.

All he wants to become in Ames is a productive play-caller - one who won't be known so much for his name or his past, but for his deeds in the here and now.

"I understand that in a game things are going to go wrong," Jantz said. "And I also understand we're going to have good plays, so staying on an even keel (is important). And I think sometimes when things go wrong you stop focusing on what you need to focus on. I think calming everyone down, keeping everyone calm, we can just focus on the next play and not worry about the last play."

Diversify the attack. UNI's defense is talented and experienced, but too many option runs can help it find it's rhythm.

Control Ben Boothby. The Panthers' defensive lineman can blow up the run or the pass. A double team may be in order.

Go deep. Whatever Darius Reynolds' health is coming off the broken toe, find a way to hook up QB Steele Jantz with JUCO partner Aaron Horne downfield.

Test the tempo. ISU's no-huddle offense can get even faster this season, with quick snaps and no long looks to the sidelines.

Spell Shontrelle Johnson. Cyclone Coach Paul Rhoads plans to put at least four running backs on the field, which helps keep them fresh.

Get creative. Experimenting with formations featuring players such as Jarred Herring and Carlos Anderson could reap dividends.

Roll ‘em out. Tirrell Rennie won't be prone to rookie mistakes this time around. Getting him on the move laterally can keep the Cyclones guessing.

Pick spots. Carlos Anderson can break off long runs, but not if the calls are telegraphed. Variety spices up the offense.

Don't cough it up. Obvious - but five turnovers in last season's game doomed the Panthers to a rout.

Choose angles. ISU"s secondary is stout, but running Herring, Terrell Sinkfield and Josh Collins downfield will test it.

Both hype and mystery surround Iowa State quarterback Steele Jantz as he prepares for his first major college start. Will his sound decision making and improved accuracy in practice translate to game-time situations? Is he as unflappable as Cyclone Coach Paul Rhoads is convinced he is? A lot of questions, but all signs point to a successful debut for Jantz. Panthers will have their moments and should stay in the game throughout.