ISU center Zach Butler stood from his post-practice stretching in the Lied Recreation Center last night and was approached by Tom Kroeschell, head of media relations.

Through a clenched jaw, Kroeschell whispered something in his ear.

Kroeshcell then yelled above the ubiquitous drone of the Rec’s ventilation system: “Zach Butler.”

Soon, Butler stood before the semicircle of cameras and notebooks and was asked how he felt about going to the Mainstay Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.

“I just found out,” Butler said. “I’m happy to get that announced.”

For the second straight year, Butler is practicing football and answering questions about bowl games in December.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity to play an SEC team,” Butler said.

On Dec. 27, the Cyclones will play some team from the Southeastern Conference. Which one depends on Saturday’s SEC title game.

If Tennessee beats LSU, Iowa State will probably play Arkansas (7-4), said Tom Kroeschell, director of media relations.

If LSU wins, Alabama (6-5) and Auburn (7-4) are also possible opponents for Iowa State.

If the latter scenario happens Alabama is more likely, ISU Athletics Director Bruce Van de Velde said.

The Cyclones will receive $1.2 million from the Mainstay Independence Bowl, but Van de Velde looks forward to the money Colorado and Nebraska will bring to the Big 12.

Both teams have been accepted to the Bowl Championship Series, he said.

That means about $6 million more for the Big 12 Conference, Van de Velde said.

“We’re very, very excited about that,” he added.

“The payout for us is all the same,” Van de Velde said of all bowls outside of the BCS and the Cotton Bowl, which means, for the Cyclones, $925,000 plus mileage ($165 per square mile).

Money notwithstanding, Van de Velde and the players look forward to traveling to Shreveport.

Van de Velde said it is a city of great hospitality -a place where great restaurants are found and a great atmosphere surrounds the bowl game.

The players may be anticipating what the city has to offer, but they spoke only of the game and the days leading up to it.

“We’ll be excited to go down there with our game plan,” wide receiver Craig Campbell said.

Waiting to see whom they will play doesn’t bother Campbell.

He said the Cyclones will continue to practice, as they did last night in the Rec, and when their opponent is announced sometime next week, then the Cyclones will prepare for it.

“We’re looking forward to it,” wide receiver Lane Danielsen said of the game. “Coach Mac said they treat you as well as any bowl in the country.”

He said whichever team Iowa State plays against will be a “real quality team.”

“We haven’t played any SEC teams, so I’m looking forward to it,” safety Adam Runk said.

Last year it snowed in Shreveport during the game.

Campbell wouldn’t mind it. He reminded reporters that Iowa State beat Colorado in Boulder last year in the snow.

Danielson wouldn’t mind it. “I don’t care. Being from Iowa, I’m used to playing backyard football.

Runk wouldn’t mind it. “Actually, I would almost be excited to play in that `cause I’m from Minnesota and I haven’t played in a snow game yet this year.”

“We’re all just real excited to have somewhere to play,” Runk said.

This is the sixth time in ISU history that the Cyclones have had somewhere to play -the last two in as many years.

McCarney has been the coach for both of the last years, but Van de Velde said no new contract talks are yet underway.

Tickets for students can be picked up either this Friday or next Friday at Hilton Coliseum, Dave Crum, ticket manager at Iowa State, said.

“We were attracted to Iowa State, because of the great enthusiasm that their fans have,” said Glen Krupica, executive director of the Independence Bowl.

Tickets are about $25-30. Last year, about 1,200 students bought them.

Crum expects more of the same this year for student ticket sales.

-Additional reporting: Jeremy Gustafson