The graduation of J.J. Moses and Chris Anthony left a big question mark at wide receiver for the ISU football team, and Lane Danielsen is doing his part to fill the void.

Danielsen has already eclipsed his number of receptions as a freshman in just two games. Last season Danielsen caught five balls but already has hauled in nine catches in victories over Northern Iowa and Ohio.

At Ohio University, Danielsen had a breakout game with seven receptions for 110 yards after catching two passes for 22 yards in the season opener.

“You saw Saturday what he (Danielsen) can do,” ISU head coach Dan McCarney said. “There isn’t a more inspired young man that comes to the practice field or game field than Lane. I’m glad he’s on my team.”

Between them, Moses and Anthony combined for 88 receptions and over 1,200 yards. The Cy-clones also lost quarterback Sage Rosenfels to graduation so Danielsen knew there’d be plenty of chances to step into a bigger role this season.

The job of replacing Rosenfels went to junior-college transfer Seneca Wallace. During the offseason, Danielsen worked out with Wallace in what could become a deadly combination for the Cyclone offense.

“I worked out three or four times, catching balls from Seneca,” Danielsen said. “I also worked on my releases with the defensive backs and always trying to improve my hands and speed.”

Danielsen’s off-season drive towards improving was rocked by the death of his mother, Sonia Derrick, in a car accident. Danielsen came back more focused for the football season, knowing that playing for the Cyclones was a major source of pride for his mother.

“I didn’t let off at all because I know that’s what my mom would want me to do,” Danielsen said. “My playing football here made her happy and she was always so proud of me. It made me always want to work harder and succeed for her.”

While good hands play a major factor in a receiver’s success, so to does blazing speed. Danielsen is regarded as one of the fastest players on roster and showed his versatility as he ran a 32-yard reverse on the Cyclones first offensive play last weekend.

“You’d get some arguments but he’s one of the top three fastest on this team, no doubt about it,” McCarney said.

Danielsen showed his explosiveness as a freshman, as he averaged 30.2 yards per-catch last season. Three of his receptions went for over 33 yards.

The biggest contribution of Danielsen’s freshman year came at Oklahoma State. Danielsen snared a 33-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds to give the Cyclones a 33-26 victory.

“It was a real big play, not only for me but the whole team,” Danielsen said. “We won the game and kept our season going strong. For me, it got my name out there and showed I could make big plays.”