The re-emergence of the ISU football team has coincided nicely with the return of running back Stevie Hicks.

Coincidence? Not really.

“You saw it last week, the impact he had, and you saw it again today,” coach Dan McCarney said. “He’s tough; he’s physical.”

Since returning from an injury, the junior running back has been on a roll, racking up yards and bringing balance to an offense that is running on all cylinders.

Hicks rushed for 122 yards and two scores in his first game back against Texas A&M, then followed that showing with a 149-yard game against Kansas State.

“It’s nice to be back,” Hicks said. “I was really down, not playing. I didn’t expect to come back this strong, but I’ve been able to do that.”

Even Hicks himself didn’t foresee the type of production he would have when he returned.

“I didn’t think I would be able to play a full game, but I’ve been capable of doing that,” Hicks said. “I’m just thankful I’ve been able to get through these games without having to come out.”

Hicks said he is playing at 85 to 90 percent, but that’s good enough for McCarney. Seeing someone playing at less than full strength can motivate the rest of the team.

“Does that elevate the play of those around you?” McCarney said.

“Does it inspire coaches does it inspire players? Yes. He’s tough and hard nosed.”

Hicks was injured in the Cyclones’ win over Army, missing the second half.

He tried to go the next week against Nebraska but couldn’t, then missed the team’s next three games.

In his absence, the Cyclones tried three different backs, getting mixed results out of the backfield.

Greg Coleman, Jason Harris and David Brown all saw time at running back, although none could fill Hicks’ shoes.

“The holes might not be there, but Stevie makes something happen,” tight end Walter Nickel said. “Coleman and David Brown are great, hard runners, but Stevie makes three or four guys miss every time, and that makes our job a lot easier.”

His return has not only helped stabilize the running back position, but it gives the Cyclones a two-pronged offensive attack.

“Hopefully [I bring] a balanced offense, because that’s what we try to do,” Hicks said. “To win in the Big 12 you have to be able to run and pass the ball.”

Having their No. 1 runner back in the lineup also takes some of the pressure off the rest of the offense.

“As receivers we know that we have pop in the backfield again,” Todd Blythe said. “Someone who can get the ball, break some tackles, make some guys miss and take it to the house.”

Wins in their last three games have the Cyclones heading to a bowl game for the fifth time in six seasons, and also have them back in the running for a Big 12 North crown.

To earn a trip to Houston for the Big 12 Championship, several things have to happen: most importantly, wins by Iowa State in their final two games.

But the Cyclones also need help from Colorado and Missouri, though. Missouri is eliminated with a loss in one of their final two games, while Colorado must lose their final two games, first against Iowa State and then against Nebraska.