For the second time in as many years, Iowa State’s football team is headed to a bowl game.

On Thursday, Dec. 27, the Cyclones will play a team yet to be announced from the Southeastern Conference in the Mainstay Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.

“We’re real, real excited just to be in a bowl game,” ISU Athletics Director Bruce Van de Velde said. “This is my 12th bowl game, and I’ve never been to a bad one. I’m real excited for the team. It’s really nice to see coach McCarney get this recognition.”

The Independence Bowl selected the Cyclones because of the team’s potential, said Glen Krupica, executive director of the Mainstay Independence Bowl.

“We see [Iowa State] as a program on the rise,” he said.

Iowa State’s opponent depends on this weekend’s SEC title game between Tennessee and Louisiana State University.

If Tennessee wins, then Iowa State will likely play Arkansas in the Independence Bowl, said Tom Kroeschell, ISU director of media relations.

If LSU wins, then Alabama and Auburn are thrown into the mix, Kroeschell said. Van de Velde said he leans toward Alabama if the latter scenario takes place.

“We’re very excited,” said Adam Runk, senior safety for the Cyclones. “Whoever we play is going to be a good team.”

The suspense about what team Iowa State will play doesn’t bother Runk, either.

“All we can do is focus on what we have to do,” he said.

Senior wide receiver Craig Campbell said the Cyclones are going to Shreveport with a mission in mind.

“We’re going to continue to practice, continue to work hard,” he said. “We’re going to go down there, ready to take care of business.”

Students can expect tickets to go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 or Dec. 14, at Hilton Coliseum, said Dave Crum, ISU ticket manager.

Tickets will cost between $25 and $30 for students, he said. Crum said he expects up to 1,500 students to buy tickets and make the trip south.

Last year, snow covered the field in Shreveport during Mississippi State’s 43-41 overtime victory over Texas A&M.

Krupica said not to expect the same this year.

“It was a once in a 16-year phenomenon,” he said. “It hasn’t snowed like that here in 16 years.”

Even if it did, it wouldn’t bother Runk, a native of Stillwater, Minn.

“I would almost be excited playing in that,” he said.