MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Iowa State will be without its leading rusher, Shontrelle Johnson, for Monday’s Liberty Bowl game against Tulsa.

In the first game of the season and the first time the two teams played each other since 1961, Johnson shined in his return to the field when it was questioned whether he’d play again after he sustained a neck injury against Texas the previous season.

Johnson ran for 120 yards on 18 carries, getting into the end zone as well at the end of the fourth quarter.

In his place, Iowa State (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) expects to share the workload as usual between running backs James White and Jeff Woody, as well as redshirt freshman DeVondrick Nealy.

“I think you’ll see DeVondrick Nealy more and I hope I’m answering questions about why didn’t you play this guy more during the season, hopefully it’s that kind of day,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads.

Nealy only had 16 carries for 81 yards on the year with no touchdowns. However, 70 of those yards came in one game against Western Illinois on only nine carries.

Rhoads’ first senior class

Rhoads has a reason to be attached to this particular class of seniors — some were part of his first class.

“This group is special — it’s our first class,” Rhoads said. “Our first recruiting class we’ve brought in as a staff.”

The seniors boast players who have become the face of the program in Jake Knott and A.J. Klein, the linebackers who have started alongside each other since their sophomore year.

Knott is still out for the game and is currently in the process of rehabbing his shoulder in time for the NFL Combine on Feb. 20.

“I’m trying to enjoy this game and get one last victory as a Cyclone,” Klein said. “This is a very important game, especially for the senior class to go out winners.”

At his news conference on Sunday, Rhoads expressed what an integral part this class has played in the building of his program.

“It will probably hit me a little bit more tomorrow than it has in this preparation, but it will be an emotional day for those guys and I’m sure they will take it all in — hopefully take it all in with an unprecedented effort on what they’ve given this program, what they’ve given this school,” Rhoads said.

Cyclone fans in full force

Iowa State has traveled well as it is expected that around 25,000 Cyclone fans will be in attendance for the Liberty Bowl on Monday.

The team arrived in Memphis on Wednesday, Dec. 26, but just have had a small taste of all the ISU fans who have traveled to Memphis for the game.

“Last night we took the staff out for dinner and we made a stroll down in that area and the Cyclone nation had definitely shown up in the city of Memphis and Memphis was very aware of that last night,” Rhoads said. “If they thought that was all, they’ve got another thing coming.”