By Bobby La Gesse
Staff Writer

James Smith doesn't like to think about last year's Kent State game. And it has nothing to do with the outcome.

The Cyclone safety doesn't spend much time pondering the 2007 season at all. Most games, like the 23-14 loss to the Golden Flashes, don't register with Smith. There weren't a lot of positives to take from many games, so he tends to leave the season alone.

And he wants it to stay that way.

So Smith won't look to avenge last year's season opening loss when ISU hosts Kent State Saturday (6 p.m. Cyclone Radio Network). Instead, he'll try to ensure that the memories he's trying to block out don't return in 2008.

"We are closer and we care more than we did last year," safety James Smith said. "That plays a big role. Everyone wants to win. No one wants to lose. At times last year it didn't matter because we were already down anyway."

Smith isn't going to let that happen again in his senior season. He doesn't want to live through another 3-9 season.

He's not alone.

Coach Gene Chizik has said a repeat performance of 2007 will be unacceptable. Defensive end Kurtis Taylor says he's too busy trying to help ISU forge a new identity to look into the past.

Smith believes the problem laid with the Cyclone's mentality last year. But he thinks the problem has been fixed because there is a higher emphasis throughout the program placed on winning this year.

It started with the coaches showing the players what's expected of them. It continued with the players throwing themselves into offseason workouts. And Smith hopes it ends with a string of wins to open the season.

"You work hard," Smith said. "You need a reward."

The Cyclones will to have to seek their payout without cornerback Kennard Banks.

The Dodge City junior college transfer needed surgery after breaking his arm in his first Division I game Thursday. Chizik said there is no time frame for Banks return and that how fast Banks moves through rehab will dictate how soon he gets back on the field.

"It's unfortunate for him," Chizik said. "He was a great team leader and he was on his way to being a great player here."

Regardless of who's in the secondary, ISU will have to find a way to stop Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman. Edelman torched the Cyclones for 236 total yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Flashes spoiled Chizik's coaching debut.

But as the Cyclones kept repeating Monday, that game is in the past. They are only concern is about this upcoming Saturday.

"We are playing Kent State of '08," Taylor said. "We aren't worried about Kent State of '07. We are going to learn from (last year's loss), but we aren't playing the '07 team."

Notes: Austen Arnaud will start again Saturday. Chizik said backup quarterback Phillip Bates is likely to see the same amount of snaps as in week one ... Chizik also added that running back J.J. Bass, who was suspended for most of the offseason for violating team rules and didn't play in the season opener, will suit up against Kent State ... Brandon Hunley has jumped above Zac Sandvig on the depth chart at strong safety.

Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 232-2161, Ext. 358, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.