Vander Sanden out for regular season

Offensive guard Luke Vander Sanden will miss the remainder of the regular season after he broke a bone in his right leg. The play happened with 8:59 remaining in the third quarter.

Every ISU player knelt along the sidelines as trainers and head coach Dan McCarney attended to the sophomore.

Vander Sanden had broken his left ankle in preseason practice and was ahead of schedule in his recovery. He saw his first action of the season last week against Troy State.

McCarney said Vander Sanden will likely have surgery soon and may have a chance to see action again if the Cyclones advance to postseason play.

“My heart just breaks for Luke Vander Sanden,” McCarney said. “It’s the only negative of the day.”

JaMaine Billups separated his shoulder against the Cornhuskers, but was able to pop it back in place himself during the game. He’s expected to start against Texas Tech.

“I’ll be all right,” Billups said.

Celebration gives McCarney fat lip

Thousands of Cyclone fans rushed the field after the game to attempt to tear down the goal posts and celebrate the victory.

Several students had gotten past the wall separating the student section from the sidelines and crowded next to the field as the final seconds ticked away.

McCarney called the environment the best he’s seen since he took the job eight years ago, but took a shot in the mouth as fans crowded around him.

“I got a fat lip out of that,” McCarney said with a smile. “I don’t think somebody hit me on purpose. That can get a little dangerous, but I’ll try to fight my way out of that danger any time.”

Twice as nice for two ISU players

ISU offensive lineman Bob Montgomery, who attended Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb., said his trip home next weekend will be even more enjoyable after beating Nebraska.

Montgomery said a lot of people will probably be proud of him and congratulate him on his team’s performance.

“I lot of people are shocked though, I bet,” Montgomery said. “They don’t like to see Nebraska lose like that.”

JaMaine Billups, an Omaha native and friend to a few of the Nebraska players, said he has been waiting for a victory like this.

“I’ve finally got my own personal bragging rights when I go back home,” Billups said.

-Jeff Raasch