With 82,600 fans, it’s no wonder Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, is home of the 12th man.

The ISU football team is preparing not only for its clash with the Texas A&M Aggies, but for one of the most challenging places to play in all of college football.

Kicker Tony Yelk, who played for the Cyclones when they lost 24-21 at Texas A&M in 2001, is well aware of the effects the rambunctious crowd can have on visiting athletes.

“You almost get a little motion sickness as you sit there and stare up when they’re swaying around,” he said.

“It feels like the stadium is coming down on you.”

There is a simple way to combat the 12th man, however, Yelk said.

“As individual players, we just need to stay focused on what we’re there to do,” he said. “Play a football game and not let the other things affect us.”

Coach Dan McCarney is also well aware of the quality program Texas A&M hails, as well as the effect College Station can have on opponents.

“From a loudness, sound and decibel standpoint, it’s about as loud as you get,” McCarney said. “It reminds me of Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin – places like that when you go on the road. We’ll be practicing with crowd noise again this week.”

In addition to Aggie fans’ knowledge of football, the respect they show to visiting teams has impressed some of the Cyclones.

“Some places you go, you have people spit on you or throw stuff at you. But from what I’ve heard, at Kyle Field, it’s a good football atmosphere,” said defensive lineman Nick Leaders. “They’ll cheer against you, they’ll cheer for you. They understand football, and that’s how football should be.”

A boost to the Cyclones may be the return of tailback Stevie Hicks, who hasn’t played since running once against Nebraska on Oct. 1. McCarney said Hicks would provide some stability to a running game that has been shaky at times.

“If he feels as good as he did on Sunday night, we’ll start him this week,” McCarney said. “There’s experience, there’s explosiveness. He’s a guy that breaks a lot of tackles – he doesn’t run away from a lot of people.”

Possibly more important for the Cyclones, however, is the security Hicks brings to a backfield that has been careless with the football at times.

“He sure can break a lot of tackles; he’s the best blocker we have in the backfield by far,” McCarney said. “The experience, the confidence, and he’s a tremendous redzone back, and you know that’s something we’ve been terrible at – ball security in the redzone.”

Most of the team has not been to Kyle Field. Cornerback DeAndre Jackson said the athletes can’t let the crowd deter them, but must use it to their advantage instead.

“It takes it to another level, playing in front of a big crowd like that,” he said.

“When you’re playing at someone else’s house, the crowd’s going crazy, and then when you make a big play, it’s just complete silence. You could hear a pin drop.

“I love that.”