LAWRENCE, Kan. — What can you say? I’m struggling to find the words.

Everything was set up perfectly for history to be made in Lawrence. It was a dream come true. Everyone could sense it. After the Cyclones’ stop of Kansas on fourth down with just under three minutes left in the game, the Cyclone sideline and collection of fans exploded. DeAndre Jackson saluted the fans, Dan McCarney congratulated his stone-cold D and Athletic Director Jamie Pollard executed the mini Tiger Woods fist pump. But the most telling response was from ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, who looked like he just received a $100 million endowment.

He high-fived everyone in a 10-yard radius, including an awkward, mistimed five with me. The streak had ended. Book those flights to Houston! Bring on the Longhorns! The Holiday Bowl and San Diego had Iowa State penciled in. I was prepared to buy a surfboard and impress the girls from Laguna Beach. It was a moment I’ve waited for since I was born. This was why I love sports.

Someone forgot to inform all of us, though, that the game wasn’t over. Like a bad dream that repeats over and over again, it started happening again. Suddenly Iowa State couldn’t find that one first down it needed to end the game. Kansas put the ball in the hands of its backup quarterback Brian Luke after starter Jason Swanson was knocked out earlier in the quarter. Sound familiar? By the way, never trust anyone with two first names, those folks are dangerous.

Luke, in his best Chase Daniel impression, engineered a four-play, 58-yard drive in less than 45 seconds. Tied ballgame. The look on everyone’s face was blank. It was like seeing someone fall off their bike over and over and there is nothing you can do. But, there was plenty of time to get in field goal range. With a minute left, Iowa State needed to gain 50 yards to get in range. So, they gave it to Stevie Hicks up the middle and obligated not to call a time out. What? That one was a head scratcher. I understand Iowa State didn’t want to turn the ball over, but goodness knows the Cyclones’ overtime record isn’t exactly stellar.

Inevitably, the Cyclones lost the coin toss and from there lost the game. Four of their last five losses have now been in overtime; the other loss in that stretch was to Baylor. It went from a dream come true to a recurring nightmare in 20 minutes.

Seeing the players and coaches walk-off the field was gut-wrenching. One-by-one they sauntered off the field, unsure whether to chuck their helmets or kneel down in sadness. Watching the seniors exit in their now final Big 12 game was especially tough. The fans just sat there, head in hands, speechless, until one yelled in a mix of frustration and desperation, “No!”

That pretty much sums it up. Two years straight the Cyclones had a chance to end their championship drought and enter into the national spotlight. Two years straight they end up painfully close.

How many more chances will there be?

Welcome to Cyclone football.

— Brent Blum is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.