The 1997 season mercifully came to an end on Nov. 22 for the Iowa State Cyclones. The 28-3 loss to Kansas State was in front of the smallest crowd of the season (24,042). ISU’s three points was the lowest output of the season as well.

The game sent this year’s seniors out with a four-year career record of 6-37-1 and a 1-10 mark for this campaign.

“We had some good match-ups and had some big plays, but we couldn’t deliver the knockout blow,” senior receiver Tyrone Watley said. “I don’t know how many times we were in the red zone and didn’t score. It was sickening.”

The Cyclones were still in the game until halfway through the third quarter, trailing only 14-3, when they gave up a 24-yard touchdown run to K-State’s Eric Hickson.

Wildcat quarterback Michael Bishop got KSU going early. He found Gavin Peries for a 16-yard strike on the first possession. He then ran for another score just before the quarter’s end. He ended the game with 132 yards in the air and 102 yards and two touchdowns rushing on just 15 carries.

“Bishop is an outstanding quarterback. He can hurt you both running and throwing,” Coach Dan McCarney said. “They have a great offensive scheme with great athletes.”

The Wildcat defense harassed Cyclone quarterback Todd Bandhauer all day, sacking him eight times and holding ISU to zero net rushing yards. Bandhauer only completed 15 passes of 40 attempts for 265 yards. The junior signal-caller ended the season 180 for 374 for a whopping 2,515 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was picked off nine times.

Both Watley and Ed Williams were looking to etch their names atop a pair of ISU touchdown receiving records.

Williams was tied with Keith Krepfle with 15 career touchdowns, while Watley was tied with eight in a single season. Williams did not have a single catch, but Watley had eight catches for 135 yards, to end a fantastic season.

Watley completed the year with 50 catches for 827 yards, which led the Big 12. He also set NCAA records for kickoff returns and yards in a single game against Nebraska.

One bright spot for the offense was Darren Davis who went over 1,000 yards on the season. He only managed 66 against KSU, but he ended with 1,005 total in just over seven games.

“I wish everybody could work like me and the things I do,” Davis said. “Ten more guys like me out there and I know we could go a long way.

“This year I was a leader, next year I hope to be a captain. I just want these guys to follow in my steps and do the things I do so we can have fun next year,” he said.

On defense, once again, the secondary was forced to make many of the tackles. Doug Densmore and Kevin Hudson had 14 and 13 tackles apiece.

Michael Cooper had nine stops to end the season with 115, which led the team. Dustin Avey had eight tackles and an interception.

“I think we played fairly well, but we had some breakdowns that really hurt,” Avey said. “We need to bounce back from this year and come back and work just that much harder.”

Avey said everyone is optimistic about next year. “We could win six or more games next year. We have some young players that already have 20 games under their belt.”

McCarney said they will be recruiting extremely hard for next year and is considering bringing in 10-15 junior college players along with a number of talented high school players.

The current players will continue working to become stronger and more competitive. McCarney said the team will be in the weight room as soon as they get back from break.

“We have great work ethic. We’ve got some fine young athletes who gained a lot of experience, we just have to continue to keep getting bigger,” McCarney said.

Watley said, “The program is growing and getting better. You can see improvements. From three years ago there is no comparison. In the next couple of years they’re going to give some teams hell.”