Ep 77: Cyclone great Todd Blythe

“I can talk myself into being a better player than I was”

In episode 77, Tim sits down with one of the all time great Cyclones, Todd Blythe. Todd and Tim go back in time to trace Todd’s path from Indianola High School to Ames, his shot with the New Orleans Saints, the CFL, and back home with the Barnstormers. Cyclones will love the stories about Dan McCarney and many of the stars from the early 2000 Cyclone teams. In addition to sharing about Blythe’s experiences as a player and coach, Todd and Tim talk about Allen Lazard’s future in the NFL.

Todd Blythe fits the mould of a Moonlighter. The way he was able to develop his strengths to go from the top of Iowa high school football in the CIML to the Big XII is a great story. Todd was heavily recruited by the Cyclones and Hawkeyes coming out of Indianola. Coach McCarney and the coaching staff set ISU apart from Blythe’s other offers. Coach Mac holds a special place for a lot of Cyclones, including Todd. As a 6’ 5” wideout who was ready to get up for every 50-50 ball, Todd’s Cyclone career got off to a hot start. His redshirt freshman season started out with five receiving touchdowns in his first three games on his way to the school record (31) for his career.

All Iowans will appreciate the stories from inside the Cy-Hawk rivalry, especially this week. Tim and Todd dive into rivalry week and stories about playing against Hawkeye greats Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge. Those games included Todd’s highs of scoring over Jovan Johnson and his lows of trying to survive blocking George Lewis. Blythe makes it clear though, regardless of what the players say to the media, the rivalry game is different - all the way down to the practice jerseys.

“I don’t know what he expected me to do on a bubble screen”

Episode 77 also dives into the rough period of Cyclone football that started just after Todd’s junior year. Coach Gene Chizik came into Ames with lofty expectations and Todd reflects about how things just never really got on track. Blythe had a record setting career and is remembered as an all time great in Ames. Recently name came up often as Allen Lazard progressed and starting climbing into the record books. Todd gives his perspective on Allen Lazard’s future in the NFL. Todd and Tim breakdown some of the comparisons between Lazard and Blythe. This week’s podcast is the perfect way to get into the Cy-Hawk mood.