Shucked and shelled
November 8, 2004
With the clock inching its way toward zero, excited Cyclone fans found their way to the front of the student section ready to celebrate.
Even with a few seconds on the clock, Cyclone fans began to jump the wall and pour onto Jack Trice Stadium’s sidelines, basking in the glow of a 34-27 victory over Nebraska.
When the final horn sounded, the stands emptied onto the field, catching Cyclone players in a mob of their fellow students.
The goal posts were the first target, as a large group descended on the traditional marker of a huge victory.
Those who couldn’t get to the uprights made their way to midfield, where they met a group of Cyclones ready to party.
“I didn’t want to get out of it,” said freshman wide receiver Todd Blythe. “It was so fun. I’ve never been a part of something like that, where the fans storm the field. I was fortunate enough to watch it two years ago when we beat Nebraska, and I always wanted to be a part of it as a player. That was a blast today.”
Two years ago, a No. 20 Nebraska team came to Ames, where the No. 19 Cyclones waited. Iowa State handed the Huskers a 36-14 loss, the first time it had beaten Nebraska since 1992.
The stands also opened that day as Iowa State celebrated its first win over a ranked team since 1993. Football player Atif Austin even joined in by leaping onto the goal posts with the fans.
But Saturday, although Cyclone players reveled in the mob scene, they kept their distance from the goal posts.
“Coach said no,” said senior cornerback Ellis Hobbs. “No one else can get on the goal posts — there are too many accidents. The risk is, like, 99.9 percent. There’s a 1 percent chance you’re coming off uninjured.”
The win gave Iowa State its third win in a row, a remarkable turnaround from the beginning of it conference schedule.
“Three weeks ago, when we played Texas A&M, the stands were empty,” Blythe said. “They were empty today, but that’s just because everyone came down on the field.”
Iowa State has also pulled itself into a tie for first place in the Big 12 North — even with the Nebraska team it just beat.
Iowa State and Nebraska hold 3-3 records in the conference; the Huskers will travel to Oklahoma next week, and the Cyclones take the weekend off.
Colorado, Kansas State and Missouri are one game behind Iowa State.
The Cyclones control their own destiny, facing both Kansas State and Missouri to end the season.
“This team is finding ways to win,” McCarney said.
“It’s not always the prettiest, it’s not always dominant, it’s not always exactly what we’ve drawn up — but they’re finding a way to win.”
With its postseason outcome resting in its own hands, McCarney knows his team will be ready for the challenge.
“You’ll find out there was a lot of pressure today when you’re playing for a chance to tie for first place in the Big 12 North,” McCarney said.
“People have said we’re as soft as a pillow, we have no business even being considered [for postseason play]. Those kids didn’t flinch, and they showed up to play.”
