ISU QB Arnaud receives plenty of support

AMES - Calls, texts and e-mails continue pouring in to Austen Arnaud's cell phone and inbox.

“I can't say that people aren't thinking about me,” said Arnaud, whose injured left knee was scheduled for an MRI Monday afternoon shortly after talking with reporters.

The Iowa State senior quarterback's season and career are finished. That much he knows.

Damage to Arnaud's ACL and MCL is likely, which is difficult news for him and teammates who'll be facing No. 15-ranked Missouri (8-2, 4-2 Big 12) Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium for bowl eligibility without the three-year starter under center.

Among the dozens of people who have been in contract since having his knee twisted and bent in a 34-14 loss to Colorado: former head ISU coaches Dan McCarney and Gene Chizik.

“He said we got our butts kicked, too,” Arnaud said of his conversation with McCarney, now Florida's defensive line and assistant head coach. “It was good to talk to Coach Mac. It's been a couple of years.”

Arnaud has been the Cyclones' starter since the 2008 season and will leave ranking second in school history in passing yards (6,777), touchdowns (42), completions (616) and total offense (8,044).

All he will be able to do this week is help understudy Jerome Tiller.

Tiller will be starting for the first time this season, but is 1-1 for his career, including last year's shocker at Nebraska.

“We've won games with Jerome,” Arnaud said. “In that sense this team has complete confidence in him. He's got to do his work this week and I'll be helping him. We'll get it taken care of.”

Tiller did not speak to reporters following the Colorado loss and won't be talking publicly until after Saturday's game.

The sophomore is off limits to the media, Coach Paul Rhoads said.

“He's got enough on his plate,” he said. “I made that decision to allow him to remain completely focused on the preparation that needs to take place.”

The Cyclones (5-6, 3-4) won't change a lot of what they do offensively.

Tiller also is a runner, though has a different style than the straight-ahead, bruising style of Arnaud. Rhoads is expecting Missouri to try and put a lot of pressure on him, especially considering ISU allowed eight sacks last week to Colorado.

“It's the same running plays and same passing plays,” Rhoads said. “The schematics of things will change based on what we think we can do against Missouri, not what we think we can do with Jerome over Austen.”

Arnaud showed off a knee that was badly swollen, and according to Rhoads, “black and blue.”

He was down, but in good enough spirits to smile.

“This is going to sound kind of stupid but I feel fortunate,” Arnaud said. “It does suck that I'm not going to be able to play my last game at Jack Trice Stadium, but I've played many and have great memories. I'm going to miss it, but there's nothing I can do about it.”

Arnaud will be on the sidelines for Saturday's regular-season finale and will be introduced with the rest of ISU's senior class beforehand.

It's a sad end to a fine career.

“It'll definitely be tough, but I'm excited to see these guys play,” Arnaud said. “I know we'll come back and work. Hopefully we come out of there with a win.”