Senior football player Ben Bruns has blocked for thousand-yard rushers in each of his last three seasons at Iowa State. This year, that same trend has continued.

Bruns is the center and steady leader of an offensive line which has led junior running back Ennis Haywood to a breakout year. Haywood’s 1,237 yards this season leads the team as well as the Big 12 conference.

Though Haywood has had a great year, he refuses to take sole credit, giving most of the credit to the “boys up front.”

“It’s been a pleasure to play behind Ben as well as the whole line this year,” he said. “They work hard, and their work ethic is great. Ben comes to practice with the same intensity everyday, and I’ve really had a great time playing behind him.”

Bruns was recently named a third-team All-American by Football News after leading the offensive line to a successful season.

The line ranked second nationally, only giving up seven sacks. Bruns was also named to the Football News first-team all-Big 12 squad along with Haywood while earning second-team all-Big 12 academic honors.

“Ben Bruns got a lot of accolades, and he’s well deserving of it,” Haywood said. “All year, he’s been putting his best foot forward every game and every practice. I’m very grateful to have him in front of me, and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Bruns says he appreciates being recognized by the star tailback, especially since he plays a position that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.

“It feels really good,” he said. “It’s a position that nobody sees much unless we screw up, I think people know we’re doing well when he’s doing well. It’s nice when he says those sort of things.”

As quick as Haywood is to give credit to his offensive line, Bruns is just as quick to return the words.

“He’s surely fun to block for, because you know he’s going to give his best effort every time,” Bruns said. “Even if there’s nothing there, he’ll make something happen, but he won’t get hit for losses.”

After blocking for standout Darren Davis for the last few years, Bruns said he appreciates a back like Haywood.

“Darren could make some really incredible things happen, but there’s a lot of times when he’d start spinning around in the backfield and get hit for a five or six yard loss,” he said. “If something bad happens up front, Ennis is going to make the best of it, so it’s kind of reassuring.”

Haywood has been given a chance to prove his doubters wrong this season after playing behind Davis. He says that being recognized as one of the best rushers, if not the best, in the Big 12 conference is just a great feeling.

“It just makes it that much more sweet,” he said. “I’m finally getting my chance. It’s been a great year, because I knew there were a lot of doubters out there, and I got a chance to prove myself. I couldn’t be more pleased with how things have been going.”

While he’s fast to point out that he’s really no different than anyone else, Haywood describes himself as a running back who “likes to work hard.”

“I try help the offense get the job done and move the ball effectively,” he said. “Just as long as we get the job done. I know whenever I’m doing my part, the rest of the offense appreciates it.”

Although the Cyclones finished the regular season with an 8-3 record, both Bruns and Haywood said that it’s not going to stop there, and that getting that ninth win is on the minds of all ISU players and coaches.

“If we didn’t win, there would be something missing,” Bruns said. “We’d feel hollow. We’re still fighting for respect. This gives us an opportunity do something no team at Iowa State has ever done, which I think is a great tribute to the guys here.”

No team has ever won a bowl game at Iowa State, and no team has seen nine wins since the 1906 Cyclone football team.

“From a win/loss standpoint, we have the opportunity to be the best team in Iowa State history,” Bruns said.

The team in 1906 didn’t play against Big 12 competition. I think we definitely think we have that opportunity from a win/loss standpoint. All the rest of the things can be debated — personnel and those sort of things — but I think that’s the way we’re looking at it.”