As we approach the big Homecoming game, a number of things enter into my mind. Join me, if you dare, as we plunge the depths of a Cyclone fan’s mind on the subjects of Homecomings of year’s past and fan support.

For me, the homecoming game so far has been nothing but good memories. As I have stated earlier, my favorite Cyclone football memory is of Troy Davis reversing fields on his way to a long touchdown run that capped off not only his 378 yard day, but also a 45-31 victory.

I remember a beautiful day, a great crowd and a Troy-mendus win for the program. Those kinds of days are what make you love college football.

Unfortunately, these days have been few and far between in Ames.

Last year was another good memory in a season filled with horrid ones. Who could forget the joy that Cyclone players and fans alike felt when Darren Davis ran 39 yards for the score with less than two minutes remaining to secure the first (and only) ISU win of the year?

I also remember the pure joy on the faces of the DPS officers who were beating students to within an inch of their lives for the heinous crime of storming the field and taking the goalposts. But that’s another story and another column altogether.

These two contests had a lot in common. Troy rushed for 378 yards in the first game, including an unbelievable 175 in the 4th quarter. Last year, Darren finished with 247 yards that included 79 in the last stanza. Let’s hope Darren can continue the tradition of a Davis brother having a big game in leading ISU to a win.

Switching topics a bit, the thing that has disappointed me most this year (besides the number 350 … shudder) has been the lack of fan support by the ISU community.

The first game was understandable. It was ungodly hot, the opponent was TCU and people were understandably wondering if the program would ever right its ship.

And it turned out to be a good thing that only 33,009 people turned out to see what turned into the same game fans had seen for three years. Cyclones lead. Cyclones blow lead. Cyclones lose. Ho-hum. Same crap, different year.

Then came the Iowa game. No one, including yours truly, gave the Cyclones a snowball’s chance in, well, Iowa City, to win. But they didn’t just win. They came out of Kinnick Stadium with a dominating 27-9 victory, and Iowa was declared “The Cyclone State.”

If this didn’t get Cyclone fans into a frenzy, what would?

Ball State was up next, and although it was a bit warm once again, it was still nice, and besides, the team was coming off the biggest win in at least six years.

However, only 33,634 fans clicked the turnstiles to see the ‘Clones post their first shutout since the Jim Criner era against an admittedly bad Ball State team.

ISU looked very solid in dominating the Cardinals and a good but beatable Texas Tech. There was no reason that the crowd should not have been at least 40,000.

Another great, albeit unseasonably warm, day dawned. Another crowd that fell short of 34,000 filed into Jack Trice Stadium. No excuses this time.

And how about the people that left with 10 minutes left in the game? Brutal. It would have been great if the Cyclones would have finished off the comeback, and all the fair-weather fake fans would have to think twice about leaving early the next time ISU was trailing.

And now comes homecoming. Attendance this year has been way down, while, despite last week’s lackluster performance defensively, the team is much improved.

Missouri comes in with a team ranked 21st in the country. They have one of the premier quarterbacks in the nation and a ground game that has averaged over 300 yards per game.

But you know what? They were leading by two touchdowns late in the 4th quarter against Northwestern State. No, not the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big 10, but Northwestern State — not exactly a perennial powerhouse. And QB Korby Jones is hurting. He hasn’t practiced this week and is questionable for the game.

The point is ISU has a chance to win a very big game to improve to 3-3. I just checked the weather. It is supposed to be 65 and sunny.

Dan McCarney always talks about how we are the best fans in America. Let’s all prove him right on Saturday by going out to the game and screaming and yelling for the Cyclones. This team has earned our support.