Updated at 12:45 a.m. CST Dec. 29

SHREVEPORT, La. — After having a mediocre rushing attack all season long, the ISU tandem of tailback Stevie Hicks and quarterback Bret Meyer totaled 281 of the Cyclones’ 295 rushing yards Tuesday night.

It was the first time in Independence Bowl history that one team produced two 100-yard rushers, and Hicks’ 159 yards were the fourth-most in Independence Bowl history.

“We had a real good plan to run the ball,” said ISU head coach Dan McCarney. “Our offensive line did a good job up front — they sustained their blocks the whole game, were just extremely physical overall — they were really able to allow our backs to produce some tremendous runs.”

The ISU offense combined for 409 total yards of offense and did it against the 17th-ranked rush defense in the nation.

Hicks became the eight 1,000-yard rusher in Dan McCarney’s ISU coaching career; he is the first player to do so since Ennis Haywood in 2001.

“It means a lot to get 1,000 yards, because that’s what the Iowa State running back tradition is,” Hicks said. “Anytime you get 1,000 yards, you usually have a pretty good season.”

Meyer’s 122 yards made him the first ISU quarterback since Seneca Wallace to rush for more than 100 yards in a game. Meyer was named game offensive MVP for his performance.

Meyer’s ability to run gives Iowa State another threat in the backfield, and Hicks said that makes his job a lot easier.

“If I’m going one way, [the defense] needs to make sure he’s going the other way,” Hicks said.

In its last six games, Iowa State averaged 160.3 rushing yards per game while the RedHawks in their last six were allowing only 97.5 yards on the ground. Only three teams had rushed for more than 150 yards all season long against Miami.