For a select number of ISU players, Dec. 31 will mark a historic event in Cyclone history.

The Iowa State Cyclones will travel to Boise, Idaho, to take on Boise State in the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl, a school-record third straight year the Cyclones will play in a bowl game.

Few and far between on this year’s squad are the holdovers from the first two bowl games in Phoenix and Shreveport, La. — but the players that were a part of the back-to-back bowl games will figure to play big roles in Boise.

All-Big 12 performers Zach Butler, JaMaine Billups and Lane Danielsen participated in both previous bowl games and play integral roles on this year’s team.

Butler provides a much-needed veteran anchor to the young Cyclone offensive line. Butler’s performance this season, opening holes for a trio of running backs and protecting quarterback Seneca Wallace, garnered him Third Team All-Big 12 honors. Butler’s experience will be counted on heavily in Boise, as he must help slow down an underrated Boise State defense.

Joining Butler as Third Team All-Big 12 was Billups. He and the rest of the secondary will be under heavy fire when they attempt to stifle Boise State’s high-powered passing offense, which is led by All-WAC senior quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, who led the nation in passing efficiency this season and led the Broncos to a No. 15 national ranking.

Offensively, Honorable Mention All-Big 12 receiver Danielsen will have to get involved in the offense in a big way in order for the Cyclones to score with Boise State.

Danielsen was Wallace’s favorite receiver on the season, accumulating 1,026 yards receiving, good enough for No. 2 on Iowa State’s single season list.

Bringing three All-Big 12 performers to their third straight bowl game should be a huge advantage for the Cyclones, and the three bowl veterans know what to expect.

“I know they have an explosive offense and a solid defense,” Danielsen said of the Boise State team. “They went 11-1 this season, so we have our work cut out for us.”

While the Cyclones ended their regular season on a low note, the veteran Cyclone players know that the bowl game is a chance to salvage their season.

“We are excited and privileged to even get a chance to play in a bowl game, especially after the way we ended the season,” Butler said.

The Cyclones lost five of their last six games, including a season-ending loss to Connecticut.

“There are a lot of teams that don’t even get an opportunity to play in a bowl,” Billups said. “Right now, we’re fortunate.”

Atif Austin, another Cyclone standout in the secondary, was also a part of the two previous bowls and knows what to expect in the weeks leading up to a bowl game.

“You get ticket requests, friends calling, family calling, so you have to be focused on the task at hand, and that’s winning the biggest game of the year,” Austin said.

As far as being a part of Cyclone history, Danielsen said he relishes the opportunity.

“In 10 years or so, when people look back on these three consecutive bowl trips, it’ll be special to be included in something that special,” he said.

“Hopefully the streak doesn’t end at three.”